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Goto S, Kojima N, Komori M, Kawade N, Oshima K, Nadano D, Sasaki N, Horio F, Matsuda T, Miyata S. Vitamin C deficiency alters the transcriptome of the rat brain in a glucocorticoid-dependent manner, leading to microglial activation and reduced neurogenesis. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 128:109608. [PMID: 38458474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Vitamin C (VitC) is maintained at high concentrations in the brain and is an essential micronutrient for brain function. VitC deficiency leads to neuropsychiatric scurvy, which is characterized by depression and cognitive impairment. However, the molecular mechanism by which mild VitC deficiency impairs brain function is currently unknown. In the present study, we conducted RNA sequencing analysis and found that a short-term VitC deficiency altered the brain transcriptome in ODS rats, which cannot synthesize VitC. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that VitC deficiency affected the expression of genes controlled by the glucocorticoid receptor in the brain. We confirmed an increased secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal gland during VitC deficiency. We found that non-neuronal cells, including microglia, which are resident immune cells in the brain, changed their transcriptional patterns in response to VitC deficiency. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the quiescent ramified microglia transform into the activated amoeboid microglia during three weeks of VitC deficiency. The morphological activation of microglia was accompanied by increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 in the hippocampus. Furthermore, VitC deficiency decreased the number of newly born neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, suggesting that VitC was required for adult neurogenesis that plays a crucial role in learning and memory. Our findings may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of normal brain function by adequate levels of VitC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunta Goto
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Natsuki Kojima
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyu Komori
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noe Kawade
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kenzi Oshima
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daita Nadano
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nobumitsu Sasaki
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan; Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Horio
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Life Studies and Environmental Science, Nagoya Women's University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Matsuda
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shinji Miyata
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan.
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2
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Baudat M, Simons SHP, Joosten EAJ. Repetitive neonatal procedural pain affects stress-induced plasma corticosterone increase in young adult females but not in male rats. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22478. [PMID: 38433425 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22478] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to repetitive painful procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit results in long-lasting effects, especially visible after a "second hit" in adulthood. As the nociceptive system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis interact and are vulnerable in early life, repetitive painful procedures in neonates may affect later-life HPA axis reactivity. The first aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of repetitive neonatal procedural pain on plasma corticosterone levels after mild acute stress (MAS) in young adult rats. Second, the study examined if MAS acts as a "second hit" and affects mechanical sensitivity. Fifty-two rats were either needle pricked four times a day, disturbed, or left undisturbed during the first neonatal week. At 8 weeks, the animals were subjected to MAS, and plasma was collected before (t0), after MAS (t20), and at recovery (t60). Corticosterone levels were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mechanical sensitivity was assessed with von Frey filaments. Results demonstrate that repetitive neonatal procedural pain reduces stress-induced plasma corticosterone increase after MAS only in young adult females and not in males. Furthermore, MAS does not affect mechanical sensitivity in young adult rats. Altogether, the results suggest an age- and sex-dependent effect of repetitive neonatal procedural pain on HPA axis reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Baudat
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sinno H P Simons
- Deptartment of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elbert A J Joosten
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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3
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Bertollo AG, Galvan ACL, Dallagnol C, Cortez AD, Ignácio ZM. Early Life Stress and Major Depressive Disorder-An Update on Molecular Mechanisms and Synaptic Impairments. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-03983-2. [PMID: 38307968 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS), characterized as abuse, neglect, and abandonment, can cause several adverse consequences in the lives of affected individuals. ELS experiences can affect an individual's development in variable ways, persisting in the long term and promoting lasting impacts, considering that early exposure to stressors can be biologically incorporated, as prolonged stimulation of stress response systems affects the development of the brain structure and other body systems, increasing the risk of diseases associated with stress and cognitive impairment. This type of stress increases the risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD) in a severe form that does not respond adequately to traditional antidepressant treatments. Several alterations are studied as mechanisms that relate ELS with MDD, such as epigenetic alterations, neurotransmitters, and neuronal signaling. This review discusses research that brings evidence about the ELS mechanisms involved in synaptic impairments and MDD. The processes involved in epigenetic changes and the HPA axis are highlighted, as well as changes in neurotransmitters and neuronal signaling mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Gollo Bertollo
- Laboratory of Physiology Pharmacology and Psychopathology, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, 89815-899, Brazil
| | - Agatha Carina Leite Galvan
- Laboratory of Physiology Pharmacology and Psychopathology, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, 89815-899, Brazil
| | - Claudia Dallagnol
- Laboratory of Physiology Pharmacology and Psychopathology, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, 89815-899, Brazil
| | - Arthur Dellazeri Cortez
- Laboratory of Physiology Pharmacology and Psychopathology, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, 89815-899, Brazil
| | - Zuleide Maria Ignácio
- Laboratory of Physiology Pharmacology and Psychopathology, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, 89815-899, Brazil.
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4
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Battaglia S, Di Fazio C, Mazzà M, Tamietto M, Avenanti A. Targeting Human Glucocorticoid Receptors in Fear Learning: A Multiscale Integrated Approach to Study Functional Connectivity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:864. [PMID: 38255937 PMCID: PMC10815285 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Fear extinction is a phenomenon that involves a gradual reduction in conditioned fear responses through repeated exposure to fear-inducing cues. Functional brain connectivity assessments, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), provide valuable insights into how brain regions communicate during these processes. Stress, a ubiquitous aspect of life, influences fear learning and extinction by changing the activity of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, leading to enhanced fear responses and/or impaired extinction. Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are key to the stress response and show a dual function in fear regulation: while they enhance the consolidation of fear memories, they also facilitate extinction. Accordingly, GR dysregulation is associated with anxiety and mood disorders. Recent advancements in cognitive neuroscience underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding that integrates perspectives from the molecular, cellular, and systems levels. In particular, neuropharmacology provides valuable insights into neurotransmitter and receptor systems, aiding the investigation of mechanisms underlying fear regulation and potential therapeutic targets. A notable player in this context is cortisol, a key stress hormone, which significantly influences both fear memory reconsolidation and extinction processes. Gaining a thorough understanding of these intricate interactions has implications in terms of addressing psychiatric disorders related to stress. This review sheds light on the complex interactions between cognitive processes, emotions, and their neural bases. In this endeavor, our aim is to reshape the comprehension of fear, stress, and their implications for emotional well-being, ultimately aiding in the development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Battaglia
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Fazio
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzà
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Marco Tamietto
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, Cesena Campus, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Neuropsicology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
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Filetti C, Kane-Grade F, Gunnar M. The Development of Stress Reactivity and Regulation in Children and Adolescents. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:395-419. [PMID: 37559538 PMCID: PMC10845082 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230808120504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Adversity experienced in early life can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. One pathway in which these effects occur is through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a key physiological stress-mediating system. In this review, we discuss the theoretical perspectives that guide stress reactivity and regulation research, the anatomy and physiology of the axis, developmental changes in the axis and its regulation, brain systems regulating stress, the role of genetic and epigenetics variation in axis development, sensitive periods in stress system calibration, the social regulation of stress (i.e., social buffering), and emerging research areas in the study of stress physiology and development. Understanding the development of stress reactivity and regulation is crucial for uncovering how early adverse experiences influence mental and physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Filetti
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Finola Kane-Grade
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Megan Gunnar
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
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6
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Wallace D, Cooper NR, Sel A, Russo R. Do non-traumatic stressful life events and ageing negatively impact working memory performance and do they interact to further impair working memory performance? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290635. [PMID: 38019767 PMCID: PMC10686508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress and normal ageing produce allostatic load, which may lead to difficulties with cognition thereby degrading quality of life. The current study's objective was to assess whether ageing and cumulative stress interact to accelerate cognitive decline. With 60 participants, Marshall et al. found that ageing and cumulative stress interact significantly to impair working memory performance in older adults, suggesting vulnerability to the cumulative effects of life events beyond 60 years old. To replicate and extend this finding, we increased the sample size by conducting 3 independent studies with 156 participants and improved the statistical methods by conducting an iterative Bayesian meta-analysis with Bayes factors. Bayes factors deliver a more comprehensive result because they provide evidence for either the null hypothesis (H0), the alternative hypothesis (H1) or for neither hypothesis due to evidence not being sufficiently sensitive. Young (18-35 yrs) and older (60-85 yrs) healthy adults were categorised as high or low stress based on their life events score derived from the Life Events Scale for Students or Social Readjustment Rating Scale, respectively. We measured accuracy and reaction time on a 2-back working memory task to provide: a) Bayes factors and b) Bayesian meta-analysis, which iteratively added each study's effect sizes to evaluate the overall strength of evidence that ageing, cumulative stress and/or the combination of the two detrimentally affect working memory performance. Using a larger sample (N = 156 vs. N = 60) and a more powerful statistical approach, we did not replicate the robust age by cumulative stress interaction effect found by Marshall et al.. The effects of ageing and cumulative stress also fell within the anecdotal range (⅓
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Wallace
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Brain Science, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R. Cooper
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Brain Science, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandra Sel
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Brain Science, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
| | - Riccardo Russo
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Brain Science, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
- Department of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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7
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Chang PR, Liou JW, Chen PY, Gao WY, Wu CL, Wu MJ, Yen JH. The Neuroprotective Effects of Flavonoid Fisetin against Corticosterone-Induced Cell Death through Modulation of ERK, p38, and PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a-Dependent Pathways in PC12 Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2376. [PMID: 37896136 PMCID: PMC10610442 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The overactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is believed to trigger the overproduction of corticosterone, leading to neurotoxicity in the brain. Fisetin is a flavonoid commonly found in fruits and vegetables. It has been suggested to possess various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This study aims to explore the potential neuroprotective properties of fisetin against corticosterone-induced cell death and its underlying molecular mechanism in PC12 cells. Our results indicate that fisetin, at concentrations ranging from 5 to 40 μM, significantly protected PC12 cells against corticosterone-induced cell death. Fisetin effectively reduced the corticosterone-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC12 cells. Fisetin treatments also showed potential in inhibiting the corticosterone-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells. Moreover, inhibitors targeting MAPK/ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), p38 MAPK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) were found to significantly block the increase in cell viability induced by fisetin in corticosterone-treated cells. Consistently, fisetin enhanced the phosphorylation levels of ERK, p38, Akt, and c-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in PC12 cells. Additionally, it was found that the diminished levels of p-CREB and p-ERK by corticosterone can be restored by fisetin treatment. Furthermore, the investigation of crosstalk between ERK and CREB revealed that p-CREB activation by fisetin occurred through the ERK-independent pathway. Moreover, we demonstrated that fisetin effectively counteracted the corticosterone-induced nuclear accumulation of FOXO3a, an apoptosis-triggering transcription factor, and concurrently promoted FOXO3a phosphorylation and its subsequent cytoplasmic localization through the PI3K/Akt pathway. In conclusion, our findings indicate that fisetin exerts its neuroprotective effect against corticosterone-induced cell death by modulating ERK, p38, and the PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a-dependent pathways in PC12 cells. Fisetin emerges as a promising phytochemical for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Rong Chang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan; (P.-R.C.); (P.-Y.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan;
| | - Je-Wen Liou
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan;
| | - Pei-Yi Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan; (P.-R.C.); (P.-Y.C.)
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Genetic Counseling Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970374, Taiwan;
| | - Wan-Yun Gao
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Ling Wu
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Genetic Counseling Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970374, Taiwan;
| | - Ming-Jiuan Wu
- Department of Biotechnology, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717301, Taiwan;
| | - Jui-Hung Yen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan; (P.-R.C.); (P.-Y.C.)
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan;
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8
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Harbour K, Cappel Z, Baccei ML. Effects of Corticosterone on the Excitability of Glutamatergic and GABAergic Neurons of the Adolescent Mouse Superficial Dorsal Horn. Neuroscience 2023; 526:290-304. [PMID: 37437798 PMCID: PMC10530204 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.07.009] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Stress evokes age-dependent effects on pain sensitivity and commonly occurs during adolescence. However, the mechanisms linking adolescent stress and pain remain poorly understood, in part due to a lack of information regarding how stress hormones modulate the function of nociceptive circuits in the adolescent CNS. Here we investigate the short- and long-term effects of corticosterone (CORT) on the excitability of GABAergic and presumed glutamatergic neurons of the spinal superficial dorsal horn (SDH) in Gad1-GFP mice at postnatal days (P)21-P34. In situ hybridization revealed that glutamatergic SDH neurons expressed significantly higher mRNA levels of both glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) compared to adjacent GABAergic neurons. The incubation of spinal cord slices with CORT (90 min) evoked select long-term changes in spontaneous synaptic transmission across both cell types in a sex-dependent manner, without altering the intrinsic firing of either Gad1-GFP+ or GFP- neurons. Meanwhile, the acute bath application of CORT significantly decreased the frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), as well as the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), in both cell types leading to a net reduction in the balance of spontaneous excitation vs. inhibition (E:I ratio). This CORT-induced reduction in the E:I ratio was not prevented by selective antagonists of either GR (mifepristone) or MR (eplerenone), although eplerenone blocked the effect on mEPSC amplitude. Collectively, these data suggest that corticosterone modulates synaptic function within the adolescent SDH which could influence the overall excitability and output of the spinal nociceptive network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Harbour
- Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Zoe Cappel
- Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Summer Research Program, Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Mark L Baccei
- Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Summer Research Program, Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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9
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Schneider KM, Blank N, Alvarez Y, Thum K, Lundgren P, Litichevskiy L, Sleeman M, Bahnsen K, Kim J, Kardo S, Patel S, Dohnalová L, Uhr GT, Descamps HC, Kircher S, McSween AM, Ardabili AR, Nemec KM, Jimenez MT, Glotfelty LG, Eisenberg JD, Furth EE, Henao-Mejia J, Bennett FC, Pierik MJ, Romberg-Camps M, Mujagic Z, Prinz M, Schneider CV, Wherry EJ, Bewtra M, Heuckeroth RO, Levy M, Thaiss CA. The enteric nervous system relays psychological stress to intestinal inflammation. Cell 2023; 186:2823-2838.e20. [PMID: 37236193 PMCID: PMC10330875 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mental health profoundly impacts inflammatory responses in the body. This is particularly apparent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in which psychological stress is associated with exacerbated disease flares. Here, we discover a critical role for the enteric nervous system (ENS) in mediating the aggravating effect of chronic stress on intestinal inflammation. We find that chronically elevated levels of glucocorticoids drive the generation of an inflammatory subset of enteric glia that promotes monocyte- and TNF-mediated inflammation via CSF1. Additionally, glucocorticoids cause transcriptional immaturity in enteric neurons, acetylcholine deficiency, and dysmotility via TGF-β2. We verify the connection between the psychological state, intestinal inflammation, and dysmotility in three cohorts of IBD patients. Together, these findings offer a mechanistic explanation for the impact of the brain on peripheral inflammation, define the ENS as a relay between psychological stress and gut inflammation, and suggest that stress management could serve as a valuable component of IBD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Markus Schneider
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Niklas Blank
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yelina Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katharina Thum
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Patrick Lundgren
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lev Litichevskiy
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Madeleine Sleeman
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Klaas Bahnsen
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jihee Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Simon Kardo
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shaan Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lenka Dohnalová
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Giulia T Uhr
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hélène C Descamps
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Susanna Kircher
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alana M McSween
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ashkan Rezazadeh Ardabili
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Kelsey M Nemec
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Monica T Jimenez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lila G Glotfelty
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joshua D Eisenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Emma E Furth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jorge Henao-Mejia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Protective Immunity, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - F Chris Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marie J Pierik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle Romberg-Camps
- Department of Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Internal and Intensive Care Medicine (Co-MIK), Zuyderland Medical Centre, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands
| | - Zlatan Mujagic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carolin V Schneider
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - E John Wherry
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Immune Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meenakshi Bewtra
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert O Heuckeroth
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Maayan Levy
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Christoph A Thaiss
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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10
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Deploey N, Van Moortel L, Rogatsky I, Peelman F, De Bosscher K. The Biologist's Guide to the Glucocorticoid Receptor's Structure. Cells 2023; 12:1636. [PMID: 37371105 PMCID: PMC10297449 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121636] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and functions as a glucocorticoid (GC)-responsive transcription factor. GR can halt inflammation and kill off cancer cells, thus explaining the widespread use of glucocorticoids in the clinic. However, side effects and therapy resistance limit GR's therapeutic potential, emphasizing the importance of resolving all of GR's context-specific action mechanisms. Fortunately, the understanding of GR structure, conformation, and stoichiometry in the different GR-controlled biological pathways is now gradually increasing. This information will be crucial to close knowledge gaps on GR function. In this review, we focus on the various domains and mechanisms of action of GR, all from a structural perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Deploey
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Van Moortel
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inez Rogatsky
- Hospital for Special Surgery Research Institute, The David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Center, New York, NY 10021, USA;
- Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Frank Peelman
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (N.D.); (L.V.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research (TNRR) Laboratory, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Gulyaeva NV. Glucocorticoids Orchestrate Adult Hippocampal Plasticity: Growth Points and Translational Aspects. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:565-589. [PMID: 37331704 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923050012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The review analyzes modern concepts about the control of various mechanisms of the hippocampal neuroplasticity in adult mammals and humans by glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoid hormones ensure the coordinated functioning of key components and mechanisms of hippocampal plasticity: neurogenesis, glutamatergic neurotransmission, microglia and astrocytes, systems of neurotrophic factors, neuroinflammation, proteases, metabolic hormones, neurosteroids. Regulatory mechanisms are diverse; along with the direct action of glucocorticoids through their receptors, there are conciliated glucocorticoid-dependent effects, as well as numerous interactions between various systems and components. Despite the fact that many connections in this complex regulatory scheme have not yet been established, the study of the factors and mechanisms considered in the work forms growth points in the field of glucocorticoid-regulated processes in the brain and primarily in the hippocampus. These studies are fundamentally important for the translation into the clinic and the potential treatment/prevention of common diseases of the emotional and cognitive spheres and respective comorbid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V Gulyaeva
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117485, Russia.
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, 115419, Russia
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12
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Blin J, Gautier C, Aubert P, Durand T, Oullier T, Aymeric L, Naveilhan P, Masson D, Neunlist M, Bach-Ngohou K. Psychological stress induces an increase in cholinergic enteric neuromuscular pathways mediated by glucocorticoid receptors. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1100473. [PMID: 36866332 PMCID: PMC9971731 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1100473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Repeated acute stress (RASt) is known to be associated with gastrointestinal dysfunctions. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects have not yet been fully understood. While glucocorticoids are clearly identified as stress hormones, their involvement in RASt-induced gut dysfunctions remains unclear, as does the function of glucocorticoid receptors (GR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the involvement of GR on RASt-induced changes in gut motility, particularly through the enteric nervous system (ENS). Methods Using a murine water avoidance stress (WAS) model, we characterized the impact of RASt upon the ENS phenotype and colonic motility. We then evaluated the expression of glucocorticoid receptors in the ENS and their functional impact upon RASt-induced changes in ENS phenotype and motor response. Results We showed that GR were expressed in myenteric neurons in the distal colon under basal conditions, and that RASt enhanced their nuclear translocation. RASt increased the proportion of ChAT-immunoreactive neurons, the tissue concentration of acetylcholine and enhanced cholinergic neuromuscular transmission as compared to controls. Finally, we showed that a GR-specific antagonist (CORT108297) prevented the increase of acetylcholine colonic tissue level and in vivo colonic motility. Discussion Our study suggests that RASt-induced functional changes in motility are, at least partly, due to a GR-dependent enhanced cholinergic component in the ENS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Blin
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France,Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Department of Biochemistry, Nantes, France,*Correspondence: Justine Blin,
| | - Camille Gautier
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Aubert
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Tony Durand
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Thibauld Oullier
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Laetitia Aymeric
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France,Université d’Angers, Department of Biology, Angers, France
| | - Philippe Naveilhan
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France
| | - Damien Masson
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France,Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Department of Biochemistry, Nantes, France
| | - Michel Neunlist
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France,Michel Neunlist,
| | - Kalyane Bach-Ngohou
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, The Enteric Nervous System in Gut and Brain Disorders, IMAD, Nantes, France,Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Department of Biochemistry, Nantes, France,Kalyane Bach-Ngohou,
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13
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Miguel-Hidalgo JJ. Role of stress-related glucocorticoid changes in astrocyte-oligodendrocyte interactions that regulate myelin production and maintenance. Histol Histopathol 2023; 38:1-8. [PMID: 35652516 PMCID: PMC9843868 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Repeated activation of stress responses and elevated corticosteroids result in alterations of neuronal physiology and metabolism, and lead to disturbances of normal connectivity between neurons in various brain regions. In addition, stress responses are also associated with anomalies in the function of glial cells, particularly astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, which in turn may further contribute to the mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction. The actions of corticosteroids on astrocytes are very likely mediated by the presence of intracellular and cell membrane-bound CORT receptors. Although apparently less abundant than in astrocytes, activation of CORT receptors in oligodendrocytes also leads to structural changes that are reflected in myelin maintenance and plasticity. The close interactions between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes through extracellular matrix molecules, soluble factors and astrocyte-oligodendrocyte gap junctions very likely mediate part of the disturbances in myelin structure, leading to plastic myelin adaptations or pathological myelin disruptions that may significantly influence brain connectivity. Likewise, the intimate association of the tips of some astrocytes processes with a majority of nodes of Ranvier in the white matter suggest that stress and overexposure to corticosteroids may lead to remodeling of node of Ranvier and their specific extracellular milieu.
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14
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Moon AL, Clifton NE, Wellard N, Thomas KL, Hall J, Brydges NM. Social interaction following prepubertal stress alters prefrontal gene expression associated with cell signalling and oligodendrocytes. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:516. [PMID: 36526621 PMCID: PMC9758144 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02280-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity is associated with an increased risk of psychopathology, including mood disorders, later in life. Early-life stress affects several physiological systems, however, the exact mechanisms underlying pathological risk are not fully understood. This knowledge is crucial in developing appropriate therapeutic interventions. The prepubertal period is documented as a key developmental period for the maturation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region involved in higher cognitive functions, including social function. In this study, we performed RNA sequencing on the PFC of adult rats who had experienced prepubertal stress (PPS) and controls to investigate the genome-wide consequences of this stress. PPS alters social behaviour in adulthood, therefore we also performed RNA sequencing on PPS and control rats following a social interaction test to determine social activity-dependent gene changes. At a baseline state (1 week following a social interaction test), no genes were differentially expressed in the PPS group. However, 1603 genes were differentially expressed in PPS rats compared to controls following a social interaction. These genes were enriched in biological pathways associated with cell signalling and axon myelination dynamics. Cell enrichment analysis showed these genes were associated with oligodendrocytes, and a comparison with an existing early-life stress sequencing dataset showed that pathways linked to oligodendrocyte morphology are impacted in a range of models of early-life stress in rodents. In conclusion, we identify pathways, including those involved in axon myelination, that are differentially activated in the adult in response to social stimulation following PPS. These differential responses may contribute to vulnerability to psychiatric pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Moon
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Nicholas E Clifton
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.,MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Natalie Wellard
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Kerrie L Thomas
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.,School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.,MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Nichola M Brydges
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
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15
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Strokotova AV, Grigorieva EV. Glucocorticoid Effects on Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415678. [PMID: 36555315 PMCID: PMC9778983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that play diverse roles in numerous normal and pathological processes. They are actively used to treat a wide variety of diseases, including neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, cancers, and COVID-19, among others. However, the long-term use of glucocorticoids is associated with numerous side effects. Molecular mechanisms of these negative side effects are not completely understood. Recently, arguments have been made that one such mechanisms may be related to the influence of glucocorticoids on O-glycosylated components of the cell surface and extracellular matrix, in particular on proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. The potential toxic effects of glucocorticoids on these glycosylated macromolecules are particularly meaningful for brain physiology because proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans are the main extracellular components of brain tissue. Here, we aim to review the known effects of glucocorticoids on proteoglycan expression and glycosaminoglycan content in different tissues, with a specific focus on the brain.
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16
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Murphy MD, Heller EA. Convergent actions of stress and stimulants via epigenetic regulation of neural circuitry. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:955-967. [PMID: 36280459 PMCID: PMC9671852 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.10.001] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal striatum integrates prior and current information to guide appropriate decision-making. Chronic stress and stimulant exposure interferes with decision-making, and can confer similar cognitive and behavioral inflexibilities. This review examines the literature on acute and chronic regulation of the epigenome by stress and stimulants. Recent evidence suggests that exposures to stress and stimulants share similarities in the manners in which they regulate the dorsal striatum epigenome through DNA methylation, transposable element activity, and histone post-translational modifications. These findings suggest that chronic stress and stimulant exposure leads to the accumulation of epigenetic modifications that impair immediate and future neuron function and activity. Such epigenetic mechanisms represent potential therapeutic targets for ameliorating convergent symptoms of stress and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Murphy
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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17
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Huang R, Han S, Qiu Y, Zhou T, Wu Y, Du H, Xu J, Wei X. Glucocorticoid regulation of lactate release from spinal astrocytes contributes to the induction of spinal LTP of C-fiber-evoked field potentials and the development of mechanical allodynia. Neuropharmacology 2022; 219:109253. [PMID: 36108796 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
High-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the sciatic nerve leads to long-term potentiation (LTP) at C-fiber synapse and long-lasting pain hypersensitivity. The underlying mechanisms, however, are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of astrocytes derived l-lactate in the spinal dorsal horn subsequent to glucocorticoid (GC) secretion into the plasma in this process using Sprague-Dawley rats and Aldh1L1-CreERT2 mice of either sex. We found that HFS increased l-lactate and monocarboxylate transporters 1/2 (MCT1/2) in the spinal dorsal horn. Inhibition of glycogenolysis or blocking lactate transport prevented the induction of spinal LTP following HFS. Furthermore, Chemogenetical inhibition of dorsal horn astrocytes, which were activated by HFS, prevented spinal LTP, alleviated the mechanical allodynia and the decreased the level l-lactate and GFAP expression in the dorsal horn following HFS. In contrast, Chemogenetics activation of dorsal horn astrocytes in naïve rats induced spinal LTP as well as mechanical allodynia, and increased GFAP expression and l-lactate. Application of l-lactate directly to the spinal cord of naïve rats induced spinal LTP, mechanical allodynia, and increased spinal expression of p-ERK. Importantly, HFS increased GC in the plasma and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in spinal astrocytes, adrenalectomy or knocking down of GR in astrocytes by using Cre-Loxp system blocked the mechanical allodynia, prevented the spinal LTP and the enhancement of lactate after HFS. These results show that lactate released from spinal astrocytes following glucocorticoid release into the plasma enhance synaptic transmission at the C-fiber synapse and underlie pain chronicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhen Huang
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuang Han
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuxin Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Taihe Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuning Wu
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongchun Du
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Xuhong Wei
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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18
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Van't Westeinde A, Padilla N, Siqueiros Sanchez M, Fletcher-Sandersjöö S, Kämpe O, Bensing S, Lajic S. Brain structure in autoimmune Addison's disease. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:4915-4926. [PMID: 36227196 PMCID: PMC10110435 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term disturbances in cortisol levels might affect brain structure in individuals with autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD). This study investigated gray and white matter brain structure in a cohort of young adults with AAD. T1- and diffusion-weighted images were acquired for 52 individuals with AAD and 70 healthy controls, aged 19-43 years, using magnetic resonance imaging. Groups were compared on cortical thickness, surface area, cortical gray matter volume, subcortical volume (FreeSurfer), and white matter microstructure (FSL tract-based spatial statistics). Individuals with AAD had 4.3% smaller total brain volume. Correcting for head size, we did not find any regional structural differences, apart from reduced volume of the right superior parietal cortex in males with AAD. Within the patient group, a higher glucocorticoid (GC) replacement dose was associated with smaller total brain volume and smaller volume of the left lingual gyrus, left rostral anterior cingulate cortex, and right supramarginal gyrus. With the exception of smaller total brain volume and potential sensitivity of the parietal cortex to GC disturbances in men, brain structure seems relatively unaffected in young adults with AAD. However, the association between GC replacement dose and reduced brain volume may be reason for concern and requires follow-up study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Van't Westeinde
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinskavagen 37A, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nelly Padilla
- Unit for Neonatology, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinskavagen 37A, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Monica Siqueiros Sanchez
- Brain Imaging, Development and Genetics (BRIDGE) Lab, Division of Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305-5101, United States
| | - Sara Fletcher-Sandersjöö
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svetlana Lajic
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinskavagen 37A, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Hirata RYS, Oliveira RN, Silva MSCF, Armada-Moreira A, Vaz SH, Ribeiro FF, Sebastião AM, Lemes JA, de Andrade JS, Rosário BA, Céspedes IC, Viana MB. Platinum nanoparticle-based microreactors protect against the behavioral and neurobiological consequences of chronic stress exposure. Brain Res Bull 2022; 190:1-11. [PMID: 36089164 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Excitotoxicity is described as the exacerbated activation of glutamate AMPA and NMDA receptors that leads to neuronal damage, and ultimately to cell death. Astrocytes are responsible for the clearance of 80-90% of synaptically released glutamate, preventing excitotoxicity. Chronic stress renders neurons vulnerable to excitotoxicity and has been associated to neuropsychiatric disorders, i.e., anxiety. Microreactors containing platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NP) and glutamate dehydrogenase have shown in vitro activity against excitotoxicity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effects of these microreactors on the behavioral and neurobiological effects of chronic stress exposure. Rats were either unstressed or exposed for 2 weeks to an unpredictable chronic mild stress paradigm (UCMS), administered intra-ventral hippocampus with the microreactors (with or without the blockage of astrocyte functioning), and seven days later tested in the elevated T-maze (ETM; Experiment 1). The ETM allows the measurement of two defensive responses, avoidance and escape, in terms of psychopathology respectively related to generalized anxiety and panic disorder. Locomotor activity in an open field was also measured. Since previous evidence shows that stress inhibits adult neurogenesis, we evaluated the effects of the different treatments on the number of cells expressing the marker of migrating neuroblasts doublecortin (DCX) in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus (Experiment 2). Results showed that UCMS induces anxiogenic effects, increases locomotion, and decreases the number of DCX cells in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus, effects that were counteracted by microreactor administration. This is the first study to demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of Pt-NP against the behavioral and neurobiological effects of chronic stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Y S Hirata
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto N Oliveira
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana S C F Silva
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adam Armada-Moreira
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, Bredgatan 33, 602 21 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Sandra H Vaz
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz MB, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Filipa F Ribeiro
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz MB, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz MB, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jéssica A Lemes
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José S de Andrade
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara A Rosário
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabel C Céspedes
- Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu, 740, 04023-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Milena B Viana
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Silva Jardim, 136, 11015-020 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Lemonnier C, Bize P, Boonstra R, Dobson FS, Criscuolo F, Viblanc VA. Effects of the social environment on vertebrate fitness and health in nature: Moving beyond the stress axis. Horm Behav 2022; 145:105232. [PMID: 35853411 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions are a ubiquitous feature of the lives of vertebrate species. These may be cooperative or competitive, and shape the dynamics of social systems, with profound effects on individual behavior, physiology, fitness, and health. On one hand, a wealth of studies on humans, laboratory animal models, and captive species have focused on understanding the relationships between social interactions and individual health within the context of disease and pathology. On the other, ecological studies are attempting an understanding of how social interactions shape individual phenotypes in the wild, and the consequences this entails in terms of adaptation. Whereas numerous studies in wild vertebrates have focused on the relationships between social environments and the stress axis, much remains to be done in understanding how socially-related activation of the stress axis coordinates other key physiological functions related to health. Here, we review the state of our current knowledge on the effects that social interactions may have on other markers of vertebrate fitness and health. Building upon complementary findings from the biomedical and ecological fields, we identify 6 key physiological functions (cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, immunity, brain function, and the regulation of biological rhythms) which are intimately related to the stress axis, and likely directly affected by social interactions. Our goal is a holistic understanding of how social environments affect vertebrate fitness and health in the wild. Whereas both social interactions and social environments are recognized as important sources of phenotypic variation, their consequences on vertebrate fitness, and the adaptive nature of social-stress-induced phenotypes, remain unclear. Social flexibility, or the ability of an animal to change its social behavior with resulting changes in social systems in response to fluctuating environments, has emerged as a critical underlying factor that may buffer the beneficial and detrimental effects of social environments on vertebrate fitness and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lemonnier
- Ecole Normale Supérieur de Lyon, 69342 Lyon, France; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Pierre Bize
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK; Swiss Institute of Ornithology, Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
| | - F Stephen Dobson
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | | | - Vincent A Viblanc
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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21
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Zhengshuai L, Yan F, Jinglin L, Hua P, Chunmei W. Glucocorticoid Receptor/HCN4 Channels Interaction in Spinal Dorsal Horn Participates in the Regulation of Neuropathic Pain after Peripheral Nerve Injury in Rats. Bull Exp Biol Med 2022; 173:594-601. [DOI: 10.1007/s10517-022-05594-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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22
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Kent MH, Jacob JC, Bowen G, Bhalerao J, Desinor S, Vavra D, Leserve D, Ott KR, Angeles B, Martis M, Sciandra K, Gillenwater K, Glory C, Meisel E, Choe A, Olivares-Navarrete R, Puetzer JL, Lambert K. Disrupted development from head to tail: Pervasive effects of postnatal restricted resources on neurobiological, behavioral, and morphometric outcomes. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:910056. [PMID: 35990727 PMCID: PMC9389412 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.910056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
When a maternal rat nurtures her pups, she relies on adequate resources to provide optimal care for her offspring. Accordingly, limited environmental resources may result in atypical maternal care, disrupting various developmental outcomes. In the current study, maternal Long-Evans rats were randomly assigned to either a standard resource (SR) group, provided with four cups of bedding and two paper towels for nesting material or a limited resource (LR) group, provided with a quarter of the bedding and nesting material provided for the SR group. Offspring were monitored at various developmental phases throughout the study. After weaning, pups were housed in same-sex dyads in environments with SRs for continued observations. Subsequent behavioral tests revealed a sex × resource interaction in play behavior on PND 28; specifically, LR reduced play attacks in males while LR increased play attacks in females. A sex × resource interaction was also observed in anxiety-related responses in the open field task with an increase in thigmotaxis in LR females and, in the social interaction task, females exhibited more external rears oriented away from the social target. Focusing on morphological variables, tail length measurements of LR males and females were shorter on PND 9, 16, and 21; however, differences in tail length were no longer present at PND 35. Following the behavioral assessments, animals were perfused at 56 days of age and subsequent immunohistochemical assays indicated increased glucocorticoid receptors in the lateral habenula of LR offspring and higher c-Fos immunoreactivity in the basolateral amygdala of SR offspring. Further, when tail vertebrae and tail tendons were assessed via micro-CT and hydroxyproline assays, results indicated increased trabecular separation, decreased bone volume fraction, and decreased connectivity density in bones, along with reduced collagen concentration in tendons in the LR animals. In sum, although the restricted resources only persisted for a brief duration, the effects appear to be far-reaching and pervasive in this early life stress animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly H. Kent
- Department of Biology, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA, United States
| | - Joanna C. Jacob
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Gabby Bowen
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Janhavi Bhalerao
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Stephanie Desinor
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Dylan Vavra
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Danielle Leserve
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Kelly R. Ott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Benjamin Angeles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Michael Martis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Katherine Sciandra
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | | | - Clark Glory
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Eli Meisel
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Allison Choe
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Rene Olivares-Navarrete
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Puetzer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Kelly Lambert
- Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kelly Lambert,
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Chmielowiec J, Chmielowiec K, Strońska-Pluta A, Suchanecka A, Humińska-Lisowska K, Lachowicz M, Niewczas M, Białecka M, Śmiarowska M, Grzywacz A. Methylation in the Promoter Region of the Dopamine Transporter DAT1 Gene in People Addicted to Nicotine. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148602. [PMID: 35886451 PMCID: PMC9321476 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The dopaminergic system is a crucial element of the addiction processes. The dopamine transporter modulates the dynamics and levels of released dopamine in the synaptic cleft. Therefore, regulation of dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene expression is critical for maintaining homeostasis in the dopaminergic system. The aim of our study is evaluation of the methylation status of 33 CpG islands located in the DAT1 gene promoter region related to nicotine dependency. We investigated 142 nicotine-dependent subjects and 238 controls. Our results show that as many as 14 of the 33 CpG islands tested had statistically significantly higher methylation in the nicotine-dependent group compared to the control group. After applying Bonferroni correction, the total number of methylation sites was also significantly higher in the dependent subjects group. The analysis of the methylation status of particular CpG sites revealed a new direction of research regarding the biological aspects of nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland; (J.C.); (K.C.)
| | - Krzysztof Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland; (J.C.); (K.C.)
| | - Aleksandra Strońska-Pluta
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland; (A.S.-P.); (A.S.)
| | - Aleksandra Suchanecka
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland; (A.S.-P.); (A.S.)
| | - Kinga Humińska-Lisowska
- Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Milena Lachowicz
- Department of Psychology, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Marta Niewczas
- Faculty of Physical Education, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Monika Białecka
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (M.B.); (M.Ś.)
| | - Małgorzata Śmiarowska
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (M.B.); (M.Ś.)
| | - Anna Grzywacz
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland; (A.S.-P.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-91441-47-46
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Liu B, Li Z. PTIP-Associated Protein 1: More Than a Component of the MLL3/4 Complex. Front Genet 2022; 13:889109. [PMID: 35754824 PMCID: PMC9219552 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.889109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PTIP-associated protein 1 (PA1) is a unique component of MLL3/4 complexes, which are important mammalian histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases. PA1 has generated research interest due to its involvement in many essential biological processes such as adipogenesis, B cell class switch recombination, spermatogenesis, and embryonic development. In addition to the classical role of PA1 in H3K4 methylation, non-classical functions have also been discovered in recent studies. In this review, we systematically summarize the expression pattern of PA1 protein in humans and sort the specific molecular mechanism of PA1 in various biological processes. Meanwhile, we provide some new perspectives on the role of PA1 for future studies. A comprehensive understanding of the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of PA1 will facilitate the investigation of its complicated roles in transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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25
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Agapouda A, Grimm A, Lejri I, Eckert A. Rhodiola Rosea Extract Counteracts Stress in an Adaptogenic Response Curve Manner via Elimination of ROS and Induction of Neurite Outgrowth. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:5647599. [PMID: 35602107 PMCID: PMC9122715 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5647599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Sustained stress with the overproduction of corticosteroids has been shown to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to an oxidative stress state. Mitochondria are the main generators of ROS and are directly and detrimentally affected by their overproduction. Neurons depend almost solely on ATP produced by mitochondria in order to satisfy their energy needs and to form synapses, while stress has been proven to alter synaptic plasticity. Emerging evidence underpins that Rhodiola rosea, an adaptogenic plant rich in polyphenols, exerts antioxidant, antistress, and neuroprotective effects. Methods In this study, the effect of Rhodiola rosea extract (RRE) WS®1375 on neuronal ROS regulation, bioenergetics, and neurite outgrowth, as well as its potential modulatory effect on the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway, was evaluated in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and the murine hippocampal HT22 cell lines. Stress was induced using the corticosteroid dexamethasone. Results RRE increased bioenergetics as well as cell viability and scavenged ROS with a similar efficacy in both cells lines and counteracted the respective corticosteroid-induced dysregulation. The effect of RRE, both under dexamethasone-stress and under normal conditions, resulted in biphasic U-shape and inverted U-shape dose response curves, a characteristic feature of adaptogenic plant extracts. Additionally, RRE treatment promoted neurite outgrowth and induced an increase in BDNF levels. Conclusion These findings indicate that RRE may constitute a candidate for the prevention of stress-induced pathophysiological processes as well as oxidative stress. Therefore, it could be employed against stress-associated mental disorders potentially leading to the development of a condition-specific supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Agapouda
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Basel, Switzerland
- Psychiatric University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Grimm
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Basel, Switzerland
- Psychiatric University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Imane Lejri
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Basel, Switzerland
- Psychiatric University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Eckert
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Basel, Switzerland
- Psychiatric University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
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26
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Palamarchuk IS, Vaillancourt T. Integrative Brain Dynamics in Childhood Bullying Victimization: Cognitive and Emotional Convergence Associated With Stress Psychopathology. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:782154. [PMID: 35573445 PMCID: PMC9097078 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.782154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bullying victimization is a form of psychological stress that is associated with poor outcomes in the areas of mental health and learning. Although the emotional maladjustment and memory impairment following interpersonal stress are well documented, the mechanisms of complex cerebral dysfunctions have neither been outlined nor studied in depth in the context of childhood bullying victimization. As a contribution to the cross-disciplinary field of developmental psychology and neuroscience, we review the neuropathophysiology of early life stress, as well as general psychological stress to synthesize the data and clarify the versatile dynamics within neuronal networks linked to bullying victimization. The stress-induced neuropsychological cascade and associated cerebral networks with a focus on cognitive and emotional convergence are described. The main findings are that stress-evoked neuroendocrine reactivity relates to neuromodulation and limbic dysregulation that hinder emotion processing and executive functioning such as semantic cognition, cognitive flexibility, and learning. Developmental aspects and interacting neural mechanisms linked to distressed cognitive and emotional processing are pinpointed and potential theory-of-mind nuances in targets of bullying are presented. The results show that childhood stress psychopathology is associated with a complex interplay where the major role belongs to, but is not limited to, the amygdala, fusiform gyrus, insula, striatum, and prefrontal cortex. This interplay contributes to the sensitivity toward facial expressions, poor cognitive reasoning, and distress that affect behavioral modulation and emotion regulation. We integrate the data on major brain dynamics in stress neuroactivity that can be associated with childhood psychopathology to help inform future studies that are focused on the treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders and learning problems in bullied children and adolescents.
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27
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Chansawhang A, Phochantachinda S, Temviriyanukul P, Chantong B. Corticosterone potentiates ochratoxin A-induced microglial activation. Biomol Concepts 2022; 13:230-241. [DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Microglial activation in the central nervous system (CNS) has been associated with brain damage and neurodegenerative disorders. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that occurs naturally in food and feed and has been associated with neurotoxicity, while corticosteroids are CNS’ physiological function modulators. This study examined how OTA affected microglia activation and how corticosteroids influenced microglial neuroinflammation. Murine microglial cells (BV-2) were stimulated by OTA, and the potentiation effects on OTA-induced inflammation were determined by corticosterone pre-treatment. Expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined. Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was analyzed by western blotting. OTA significantly increased the mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS and also elevated IL-6 and NO levels. Corticosterone pre-treatment enhanced the neuroinflammatory response to OTA in a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-dependent mechanism, which is associated with increases in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK activation. In response to OTA, microglial cells produced pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO, while corticosterone increased OTA-induced ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation via MR. Findings indicated the direct role of OTA in microglia activation and neuroinflammatory response and suggested that low corticosterone concentrations in the brain exacerbated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchana Chansawhang
- The Center for Veterinary Diagnosis, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University , Salaya , Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170 , Thailand
| | - Sataporn Phochantachinda
- Prasu-Arthorn Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University , Salaya , Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170 , Thailand
| | - Piya Temviriyanukul
- Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University , Salaya , Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170 , Thailand
| | - Boonrat Chantong
- Department of Pre-clinical and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University , Salaya , Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170 , Thailand
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28
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Zhou Z, Li C, Bao T, Zhao X, Xiong W, Luo C, Yin G, Fan J. Exosome-shuttled miR-672-5p from anti-inflammatory microglia repair traumatic spinal cord injury by inhibiting AIM2/ASC/Caspase-1 signaling pathway mediated neuronal pyroptosis. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1057-1074. [PMID: 35243913 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is a devastating traumatic disease of the central nervous system, which leads to refractory loss of motor and sensory function. So far, there is no effective treatment for TSCI. Recently, however, nano-sized exosomes from various spinal cord cells have shown great prospects in the treatment of various diseases, including TSCI. Microglia are one of the components of the spinal cord microenvironment. Anti-inflammatory microglia (M2) have been shown to inhibit inflammation and promote the functional recovery of spinal cord after TSCI. However, the role micro RNAs (miRNAs) in exosomes derived from M2 microglia in the treatment of TSCI is unclear. In this study, we investigated whether M2 microglial exosomes (M2-Exos) could better promote the functional behavior recovery of mice with TSCI than M0 microglial exosomes (Exos). Compared with Exos, M2-Exos were found to have a better effect in promoting the recovery of functional behavior, promoting axon regeneration and reducing the level of pyroptosis of spinal cord neurons after TSCI. Through a series of experiments, we also confirmed that miR-672-5p is the most critical miRNA associated with M2-Exos, and that its targeting gene is AIM2. M2-Exos rich in miR-672-5p could inhibit the AIM2/ASC/Caspase-1 signaling pathway by inhibiting AIM2 activity, so as to inhibit neuronal pyroptosis and finally promote the recovery of functional behavior in mice with TSCI. In conclusion, our study suggests that the application of M2-Exos may be a promising treatment strategy for TSCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhou
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Emergency Medicine, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China, Nanjing, China, 210029;
| | - Cong Li
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Tianyi Bao
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Xuan Zhao
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Wu Xiong
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Chunyang Luo
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Guoyong Yin
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Jin Fan
- Jiangsu Province Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, 74734, Department of Orthopaedics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China;
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29
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Stress induced microglial activation contributes to depression. Pharmacol Res 2022; 179:106145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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30
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Viho EMG, Buurstede JC, Berkhout JB, Mahfouz A, Meijer OC. Cell type specificity of glucocorticoid signaling in the adult mouse hippocampus. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13072. [PMID: 34939259 PMCID: PMC9286676 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid stress hormones are powerful modulators of brain function and can affect mood and cognitive processes. The hippocampus is a prominent glucocorticoid target and expresses both the glucocorticoid receptor (GR: Nr3c1) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR: Nr3c2). These nuclear steroid receptors act as ligand-dependent transcription factors. Transcriptional effects of glucocorticoids have often been deduced from bulk mRNA measurements or spatially informed individual gene expression. However, only sparse data exists allowing insights on glucocorticoid-driven gene transcription at the cell type level. Here, we used publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data to assess the cell-type specificity of GR and MR signaling in the adult mouse hippocampus. The data confirmed that Nr3c1 and Nr3c2 expression differs across neuronal and non-neuronal cell populations. We analyzed co-expression with sex hormones receptors, transcriptional coregulators, and receptors for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Our results provide insights in the cellular basis of previous bulk mRNA results and allow the formulation of more defined hypotheses on the effects of glucocorticoids on hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M. G. Viho
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Jacobus C. Buurstede
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Jari B. Berkhout
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Mahfouz
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Delft Bioinformatics LaboratoryDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Leiden Computational Biology CenterLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Onno C. Meijer
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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31
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Jordan A, Sivapalan P, Eklöf J, Vestergaard JB, Meteran H, Saeed MI, Biering-Sørensen T, Løkke A, Seersholm N, Jensen JUS. The Association between Use of ICS and Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients with COPD-A Nationwide Cohort Study of 49,500 Patients. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101492. [PMID: 34680609 PMCID: PMC8533368 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric side effects are well known from treatment with systemic corticosteroids. It is, however, unclear whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have psychiatric side effects in patients with COPD. We conducted a nationwide cohort study in all Danish COPD outpatients who had respiratory medicine specialist-verified COPD, age ≥40 years, and no previous cancer. Prescription fillings of antidepressants and risk of admissions to psychiatric hospitals with either depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder were assessed by Cox proportional hazards models. We observed a dose-dependent increase in the risk of antidepressant-use with ICS cumulated dose (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.07, p = 0.0472 with low ICS exposure, HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.08–1.12, p < 0.0001 with medium exposure, HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.11–1.15, p < 0.0001 with high exposure) as compared to no ICS exposure. We found a discrete increased risk of admission to psychiatric hospitals in the medium and high dose group (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.98–1.03, p = 0.77 with low ICS exposure, HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05–1.10, p < 0.0001 with medium exposure, HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.10–1.15, p < 0.0001 with high exposure). The association persisted when stratifying for prior antidepressant use. Thus, exposure to ICS was associated with a small to moderate increase in antidepressant-use and psychiatric admissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Jordan
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Pradeesh Sivapalan
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
| | - Josefin Eklöf
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
| | - Jakob B. Vestergaard
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
| | - Howraman Meteran
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
| | - Mohamad Isam Saeed
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
| | - Tor Biering-Sørensen
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
| | - Anders Løkke
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Lillebælt, 7100 Vejle, Denmark;
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Seersholm
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
| | - Jens Ulrik Stæhr Jensen
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; (P.S.); (J.E.); (J.B.V.); (H.M.); (M.I.S.); (T.B.-S.); (N.S.); (J.U.S.J.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Genomic and Non-Genomic Actions of Glucocorticoids on Adipose Tissue Lipid Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168503. [PMID: 34445209 PMCID: PMC8395154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones that aid the body under stress by regulating glucose and free fatty acids. GCs maintain energy homeostasis in multiple tissues, including those in the liver and skeletal muscle, white adipose tissue (WAT), and brown adipose tissue (BAT). WAT stores energy as triglycerides, while BAT uses fatty acids for heat generation. The multiple genomic and non-genomic pathways in GC signaling vary with exposure duration, location (adipose tissue depot), and species. Genomic effects occur directly through the cytosolic GC receptor (GR), regulating the expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism, such as ATGL and HSL. Non-genomic effects act through mechanisms often independent of the cytosolic GR and happen shortly after GC exposure. Studying the effects of GCs on adipose tissue breakdown and generation (lipolysis and adipogenesis) leads to insights for treatment of adipose-related diseases, such as obesity, coronary disease, and cancer, but has led to controversy among researchers, largely due to the complexity of the process. This paper reviews the recent literature on the genomic and non-genomic effects of GCs on WAT and BAT lipolysis and proposes research to address the many gaps in knowledge related to GC activity and its effects on disease.
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Saitoh BY, Tanaka E, Yamamoto N, Kruining DV, Iinuma K, Nakamuta Y, Yamaguchi H, Yamasaki R, Matsumoto K, Kira JI. Early postnatal allergic airway inflammation induces dystrophic microglia leading to excitatory postsynaptic surplus and autism-like behavior. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 95:362-380. [PMID: 33862170 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia play key roles in synaptic pruning, which primarily occurs from the postnatal period to adolescence. Synaptic pruning is essential for normal brain development and its impairment is implicated in neuropsychiatric developmental diseases such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Recent epidemiological surveys reported a strong link between ASD and atopic/allergic diseases. However, few studies have experimentally investigated the relationship between allergy and ASD-like manifestations, particularly in the early postnatal period, when allergic disorders occur frequently. Therefore, we aimed to characterize how allergic inflammation in the early postnatal period influences microglia and behavior using mouse models of short- and long-term airway allergy. Male mice were immunized by an intraperitoneal injection of aluminum hydroxide and ovalbumin (OVA) or phosphate-buffered saline (control) on postnatal days (P) 3, 7, and 11, followed by intranasal challenge with OVA or phosphate-buffered saline solution twice a week until P30 or P70. In the hippocampus, Iba-1-positive areas, the size of Iba-1-positive microglial cell bodies, and the ramification index of microglia by Sholl analysis were significantly smaller in the OVA group than in the control group on P30 and P70, although Iba-1-positive microglia numbers did not differ significantly between the two groups. In Iba-1-positive cells, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95)-occupied areas and CD68-occupied areas were significantly decreased on P30 and P70, respectively, in the OVA group compared with the control group. Immunoblotting using hippocampal tissues demonstrated that amounts of PSD95, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor 2, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2B were significantly increased in the OVA group compared with the control group on P70, and a similar increasing trend for PSD95 was observed on P30. Neurogenesis was not significantly different between the two groups on P30 or P70 by doublecortin immunohistochemistry. The social preference index was significantly lower in the three chamber test and the number of buried marbles was significantly higher in the OVA group than in the control group on P70 but not on P30, whereas locomotion and anxiety were not different between the two groups. Compared with the control group, serum basal corticosterone levels were significantly elevated and hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) amounts and nuclear GR translocation in microglia, but not in neurons or astrocytes, were significantly decreased in the OVA group on P70 but not on P30. Gene set enrichment analysis of isolated microglia revealed that genes related to immune responses including Toll-like receptor signaling and chemokine signaling pathways, senescence, and glucocorticoid signaling were significantly upregulated in the OVA group compared with the control group on P30 and P70. These findings suggest that early postnatal allergic airway inflammation induces dystrophic microglia that exhibit defective synaptic pruning upon short- and long-term allergen exposure. Furthermore, long-term allergen exposure induced excitatory postsynaptic surplus and ASD-like behavior. Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activation and the compensatory downregulation of microglial GR during long-term allergic airway inflammation may also facilitate these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ban-Yu Saitoh
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Eizo Tanaka
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Norio Yamamoto
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daan van Kruining
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Kyoko Iinuma
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuko Nakamuta
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroo Yamaguchi
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamasaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koichiro Matsumoto
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Kira
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Translational Neuroscience Center, Graduate School of Medicine, and School of Pharmacy at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, 137-1 Enokizu, Ookawa, Fukuoka 831-8501, Japan; Department of Neurology, Brain and Nerve Center, Fukuoka Central Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare, 2-6-11 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0022, Japan.
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34
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da Silva Calixto P, de Almeida RN, Stiebbe Salvadori MGS, Dos Santos Maia M, Filho JMB, Scotti MT, Scotti L. In Silico Study Examining New Phenylpropanoids Targets with Antidepressant Activity. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:539-554. [PMID: 32881667 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666200902171838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural products, such as phenylpropanoids, which are found in essential oils derived from aromatic plants, have been explored during non-clinical psychopharmacology studies, to discover new molecules with relevant pharmacological activities in the central nervous system, especially antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. Major depressive disorder is a highly debilitating psychiatric disorder and is considered to be a disabling public health problem, worldwide, as a primary factor associated with suicide. Current clinically administered antidepressants have late-onset therapeutic actions, are associated with several side effects, and clinical studies have reported that some patients do not respond well to treatment or reach complete remission. OBJECTIVE To review important new targets for antidepressant activity and to select phenylpropanoids with antidepressant activity, using Molegro Virtual Docker and Ossis Data Warris, and to verify substances with more promising antidepressant activity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION An in silico molecular modeling study, based on homology, was conducted to determine the three-dimensional structure of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5- HT2AR), then molecular docking studies were performed and the predisposition for cytotoxicity risk among identified molecules was examined. A model for 5-HT2AR homology, with satisfactory results, was obtained indicating the good stereochemical quality of the model. The phenylpropanoid 4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol showed the lowest binding energy for 5-HT2AR, with results relevant to the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway, and showed no toxicity within the parameters of mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive system toxicity, and skin-tissue irritability, when evaluated in silico; therefore, this molecule can be considered promising for the investigation of antidepressant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reinaldo Nóbrega de Almeida
- Department of Physiology and Pathology, Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil
| | | | | | - José Maria Barbosa Filho
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Scotti
- Laboratory of Chemoinformatics, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil
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PTEN in prefrontal cortex is essential in regulating depression-like behaviors in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:185. [PMID: 33771972 PMCID: PMC7998021 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01312-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is an environmental risk factor for depression and causes neuronal atrophy in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and other brain regions. It is still unclear about the molecular mechanism underlying the behavioral alterations and neuronal atrophy induced by chronic stress. We here report that phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) is a mediator for chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors and neuronal atrophy in mice. One-month chronic restraint stress (CRS) up-regulated PTEN signaling pathway in the PFC of mice as indicated by increasing levels of PTEN, p-MEK, and p-ERK but decreasing levels of p-AKT. Over-expression of Pten in the PFC led to an increase of depression-like behaviors, whereas genetic inactivation or knockdown of Pten in the PFC prevented the CRS-induced depression-like behaviors. In addition, systemic administration of PTEN inhibitor was also able to prevent these behaviors. Cellular examination showed that Pten over-expression or the CRS treatment resulted in PFC neuron atrophy, and this atrophy was blocked by genetic inactivation of Pten or systemic administration of PTEN inhibitor. Furthermore, possible causal link between Pten and glucocorticoids was examined. In chronic dexamethasone (Dex, a glucocorticoid agonist) treatment-induced depression model, increased PTEN levels were observed, and depression-like behaviors and PFC neuron atrophy were attenuated by the administration of PTEN inhibitor. Our results indicate that PTEN serves as a key mediator in chronic stress-induced neuron atrophy as well as depression-like behaviors, providing molecular evidence supporting the synaptic plasticity theory of depression.
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36
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Blacha AK, Rahvar AH, Flitsch J, van de Loo I, Kropp P, Harbeck B. Impaired attention in patients with adrenal insufficiency - Impact of unphysiological therapy. Steroids 2021; 167:108788. [PMID: 33412217 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2020.108788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) are treated with glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy. Although current GC regimens aim to mimic the physiological circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion, temporary phases of hypo- and hypercortisolism are common undesired effects. Both conditions may lead to impairment in cognitive functioning. At present, little is known about cognitive functioning in patients with AI, especially regarding the effects of dosage and duration of glucocorticoid replacement therapy. There is also little data available comparing the effects of GC therapy on patients with primary (PAI) and secondary (SAI) forms of AI. In this study 40 adults with AI (21 PAI, 19 SAI) substituted with hydrocortisone (HC) and 20 matched healthy controls underwent 10 different neuropsychological tests evaluating memory, executive functioning, attention, psychomotricity and general intellectual ability. Furthermore demographic data, dosage of HC, duration of therapy and co-medication were evaluated. Patients were compared in groups with regard to diagnosis, dosage and duration of therapy. Patients showed worse performance than controls in attention, though patients with PAI and SAI seemed to be equally impaired. There were no limitations in intellectual abilities or memory function. High dosage of HC was found to impair attention, visual-motoric skills and executive functioning while the duration of therapy showed no significant impact on cognitive functions. In conclusion, our study showed that AI patients on HC replacement therapy reveal significant cognitive deficits concerning attention. There was no difference between patients with PAI and SAI. Furthermore, high dosage seems to have a negative impact especially on executive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amir H Rahvar
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Jörg Flitsch
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
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Sharma VK, Singh TG. Navigating Alzheimer's Disease via Chronic Stress: The Role of Glucocorticoids. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:433-444. [PMID: 31625472 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666191017114735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic intensifying incurable progressive disease leading to neurological deterioration manifested as impairment of memory and executive brain functioning affecting the physical ability like intellectual brilliance, common sense in patients. The recent therapeutic approach in Alzheimer's disease is only the symptomatic relief further emerging the need for therapeutic strategies to be targeted in managing the underlying silent killing progression of dreaded pathology. Therefore, the current research direction is focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms leading to the evolution of the understanding of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease. The resultant saturation in the area of current targets (amyloid β, τ Protein, oxidative stress etc.) has led the scientific community to rethink of the mechanistic neurodegenerative pathways and reprogram the current research directions. Although, the role of stress has been recognized for many years and contributing to the development of cognitive impairment, the area of stress has got the much-needed impetus recently and is being recognized as a modifiable menace for AD. Stress is an unavoidable human experience that can be resolved and normalized but chronic activation of stress pathways unsettle the physiological status. Chronic stress mediated activation of neuroendocrine stimulation is generally linked to a high risk of developing AD. Chronic stress-driven physiological dysregulation and hypercortisolemia intermingle at the neuronal level and leads to functional (hypometabolism, excitotoxicity, inflammation) and anatomical remodeling of the brain architecture (senile plaques, τ tangles, hippocampal atrophy, retraction of spines) ending with severe cognitive deterioration. The present review is an effort to collect the most pertinent evidence that support chronic stress as a realistic and modifiable therapeutic earmark for AD and to advocate glucocorticoid receptors as therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Kumar Sharma
- Government College of Pharmacy, Rohru, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh-171207, India.,Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab-140401, India
| | - Thakur Gurjeet Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab-140401, India
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38
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Low catechol-O-methyltransferase and stress potentiate functional pain and depressive behavior, especially in female mice. Pain 2021; 161:446-458. [PMID: 31972854 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Low levels of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines, and stress, which potentiates catecholamine release from sympathetic nerves, are fundamental to chronic functional pain syndromes and comorbid depression, which predominantly affect females. Here, we sought to examine the independent and joint contributions of low COMT and stress to chronic functional pain and depression at the behavioral and molecular level. Male and female C57BL/6 mice received sustained systemic delivery of the COMT inhibitor OR486 over 14 days and underwent a swim stress paradigm on days 8 to 10. Pain and depressive-like behavior were measured over 14 days, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; a factor involved in nociception and depression) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR; a stress-related receptor) expression were measured on day 14. We found that stress potentiates the effect of low COMT on functional pain and low COMT potentiates the effect of stress on depressive-like behavior. The joint effects of low COMT and stress on functional pain and depressive-like behavior were significantly greater in females vs males. Consistent with behavioral data, we found that stress potentiates COMT-dependent increases in spinal BDNF and low COMT potentiates stress-dependent decreases in hippocampal BDNF in females, but not males. Although low COMT increases spinal GR and stress increases hippocampal GR expression, these increases are not potentiated in the OR486 + stress group and are not sex-specific. These results suggest that genetic and environmental factors that enhance catecholamine bioavailability cause abnormalities in BDNF signaling and increase risk of comorbid functional pain and depression, especially among females.
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Watermeyer T, Robb C, Gregory S, Udeh-Momoh C. Therapeutic implications of hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal-axis modulation in Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100877. [PMID: 33045258 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
With disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) still elusive, the search for alternative intervention strategies has intensified. Growing evidence suggests that dysfunction in hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal-axis (HPAA) activity may contribute to the development of AD pathology. The HPAA, may therefore offer a novel target for therapeutic action. This review summarises and critically evaluates animal and human studies investigating the effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention on HPAA modulation alongside cognitive performance. The interventions discussed include glucocorticoid receptor antagonists and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors as well as lifestyle treatments such as physical activity, diet, sleep and contemplative practices. Pharmacological HPAA modulators improve pathology and cognitive deficit in animal AD models, but human pharmacological trials are yet to provide definitive support for such benefits. Lifestyle interventions may offer promising strategies for HPAA modification and cognitive health, but several methodological caveats across these studies were identified. Directions for future research in AD studies are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamlyn Watermeyer
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK; Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Catherine Robb
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Gregory
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Chinedu Udeh-Momoh
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK; Translational Health Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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40
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Naffaa V, Laprévote O, Schang AL. Effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on myelin development and diseases. Neurotoxicology 2020; 83:51-68. [PMID: 33352275 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the central and peripheral nervous systems, myelin is essential for efficient conduction of action potentials. During development, oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells differentiate and ensure axon myelination, and disruption of these processes can contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. In adults, demyelination can lead to important disabilities, and recovery capacities by remyelination often decrease with disease progression. Among environmental chemical pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of major concern for human health and are notably suspected to participate in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we have combined the current knowledge on EDCs impacts on myelin including several persistent organic pollutants, bisphenol A, triclosan, heavy metals, pesticides, and nicotine. Besides, we presented several other endocrine modulators, including pharmaceuticals and the phytoestrogen genistein, some of which are candidates for treating demyelinating conditions but could also be deleterious as contaminants. The direct impacts of EDCs on myelinating cells were considered as well as their indirect consequences on myelin, particularly on immune mechanisms associated with demyelinating conditions. More studies are needed to describe the effects of these compounds and to further understand the underlying mechanisms in relation to the potential for endocrine disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Naffaa
- Université de Paris, UMR 8038 (CiTCoM), CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France.
| | - Olivier Laprévote
- Université de Paris, UMR 8038 (CiTCoM), CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France; Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Service de Biochimie, 20 rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Anne-Laure Schang
- Université de Paris, UMR 1153 (CRESS), Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France.
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41
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Brain structural network alterations related to serum cortisol levels in drug-naïve, first-episode major depressive disorder patients: a source-based morphometric study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22096. [PMID: 33328539 PMCID: PMC7745014 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79220-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Higher cortisol levels due to a hyperactive hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis have been reported in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Increased cortisol levels change both the brain morphology and function in MDD patients. The multivariate source-based morphometry (SBM) technique has been applied to investigate neuroanatomical changes in some neuropsychiatric diseases, but not MDD. We aimed to examine the alterations in gray matter (GM) networks and their relationship with serum cortisol levels in first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients using SBM. Forty-two patients with MDD and 39 controls were recruited via interviews. Morning serum cortisol levels were measured, and high-resolution T1-weighted imaging followed by SBM analysis was performed in all participants. The patients had significantly higher serum cortisol levels than the controls. We found two GM sources, which were significantly different between patients with MDD and controls (prefrontal network, p < .01; insula-temporal network, p < .01). Serum cortisol levels showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the loading coefficients of the prefrontal network (r = − 0.354, p = 0.02). In conclusion, increased serum cortisol levels were associated with reductions in the prefrontal network in the early stage of MDD, and SBM may be a useful approach for analyzing structural MRI data.
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42
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Park HS, You MJ, Yang B, Jang KB, Yoo J, Choi HJ, Lee SH, Bang M, Kwon MS. Chronically infused angiotensin II induces depressive-like behavior via microglia activation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22082. [PMID: 33328497 PMCID: PMC7744531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79096-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain inflammation is one of hypotheses explaining complex pathomechanisms of depression. Angiotensin II (ANGII), which is associated with hypertension, also induces brain inflammation. However, there is no animal study showing the direct relationship between ANGII and depression. To address this issue, ANGII-containing osmotic pumps were implanted into adult male C57BL/6 mice subcutaneously for subacute (7 days) and chronic (at least 21 days) periods and behavioral and molecular analyses were conducted. Chronic infusion of ANGII into mice induced depressive-like behaviors, including the tail suspension test and forced swimming test, which were reversed by imipramine. Chronic infusion of ANGII also induced microglial activation in the hippocampus with increase of Il-1β mRNA and decrease of Arg1 mRNA. In addition, chronic ANGII infusion activated the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) and resulted in decreased hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor level. However, subacute ANGII infusion did not induce significant molecular and behavioral changes in mice compared to that of control. The molecular and behavioral changes by chronic ANGII infusion were reversed by co-treatment of minocycline or telmisartan. In addition, ANGII treatment also induced the pro-inflammatory changes in BV-2 microglial cells. Our results indicate that ANGII can induce depressive-like behaviors via microglial activation in the hippocampus and HPA axis hyperactivation in mice. These might suggest possible mechanism on depressive symptom in chronic hypertensive state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Sun Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, CHABIOCOMPLEX, 335 Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jung You
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, CHABIOCOMPLEX, 335 Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Bohyun Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, CHABIOCOMPLEX, 335 Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Beom Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, CHABIOCOMPLEX, 335 Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongman Yoo
- Department of Microbiology and School of Medicine, CHA University, CHABIOCOMPLEX, 335 Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Choi
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, CHABIOCOMPLEX, 335 Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyuk Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 59 Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea
| | - Minji Bang
- Department of Psychiatry, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 59 Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min-Soo Kwon
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, CHABIOCOMPLEX, 335 Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea.
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NIMA-related kinase 7 amplifies NLRP3 inflammasome pro-inflammatory signaling in microglia/macrophages and mice models of spinal cord injury. Exp Cell Res 2020; 398:112418. [PMID: 33309808 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NIMA-related kinase-7 (NEK7) is a serine/threonine kinase that drives cell-cycle dynamics by modulating mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis. It is also a crucial modulator of the pro-inflammatory effects of NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. However, the role of NEK7 in microglia/macrophages post-spinal cord injury (SCI) is not well defined. METHODS In this study, we performed both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Using an in vivo mouse SCI model, NEK7 siRNAs were administered intraspinally. For in vitro analysis, BV-2 microglia cells with NEK7-siRNA were stimulated with 1 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 2 mM Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). RESULTS Here, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of NEK7 and NLRP3 inflammasomes were upregulated in spinal cord tissues of injured mice and BV-2 microglia cells exposed to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Further experiments established that NEK7 and NLRP3 interacted in BV-2 microglia cells, an effect that was eliminated following NEK7 ablation. Moreover, NEK7 ablation suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Although NEK7 inhibition did not significantly improve motor function post-SCI in mice, it was found to attenuate local inflammatory response and inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia/macrophages of the injured spinal cord. CONCLUSION NEK7 amplifies NLRP3 inflammasome pro-inflammatory signaling in BV-2 microglia cells and mice models of SCI. Therefore, agents targeting the NEK7/NLRP3 signaling offers great promise in the treatment of inflammatory response post-SCI.
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Wegman-Points L, Pope B, Zobel-Mask A, Winter L, Wauson E, Duric V, Yuan LL. Corticosterone as a Potential Confounding Factor in Delineating Mechanisms Underlying Ketamine's Rapid Antidepressant Actions. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:590221. [PMID: 33328997 PMCID: PMC7734413 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.590221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research into the rapid antidepressant effect of subanesthetic doses of ketamine have identified a series of relevant protein cascades activated within hours of administration. Prior to, or concurrent with, these activation cascades, ketamine treatment generates dissociative and psychotomimetic side effects along with an increase in circulating glucocorticoids. In rats, we observed an over 3-fold increase in corticosterone levels in both serum and brain tissue, within an hour of administration of low dose ketamine (10 mg/kg), but not with (2R, 6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) (10 mg/kg), a ketamine metabolite shown to produce antidepressant-like action in rodents without inducing immediate side-effects. Hippocampal tissue from ketamine, but not HNK, injected animals displayed a significant increase in the expression of sgk1, a downstream effector of glucocorticoid receptor signaling. To examine the role conscious sensation of ketamine's side effects plays in the release of corticosterone, we assessed serum corticosterone levels after ketamine administration while under isoflurane anesthesia. Under anesthesia, ketamine failed to increase circulating corticosterone levels relative to saline controls. Concurrent with its antidepressant effects, ketamine generates a release of glucocorticoids potentially linked to disturbing cognitive side effects and the activation of distinct molecular pathways which should be considered when attempting to delineate the molecular mechanisms of its antidepressant function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Li-Lian Yuan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, United States
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Astrocytoma: A Hormone-Sensitive Tumor? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239114. [PMID: 33266110 PMCID: PMC7730176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytomas and, in particular, their most severe form, glioblastoma, are the most aggressive primary brain tumors and those with the poorest vital prognosis. Standard treatment only slightly improves patient survival. Therefore, new therapies are needed. Very few risk factors have been clearly identified but many epidemiological studies have reported a higher incidence in men than women with a sex ratio of 1:4. Based on these observations, it has been proposed that the neurosteroids and especially the estrogens found in higher concentrations in women's brains could, in part, explain this difference. Estrogens can bind to nuclear or membrane receptors and potentially stimulate many different interconnected signaling pathways. The study of these receptors is even more complex since many isoforms are produced from each estrogen receptor encoding gene through alternative promoter usage or splicing, with each of them potentially having a specific role in the cell. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent data supporting the involvement of steroids during gliomagenesis and to focus on the potential neuroprotective role as well as the mechanisms of action of estrogens in gliomas.
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Adrienne McGinn M, Edwards KN, Edwards S. Chronic inflammatory pain alters alcohol-regulated frontocortical signaling and associations between alcohol drinking and thermal sensitivity. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2020; 8:100052. [PMID: 33005820 PMCID: PMC7509777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2020.100052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing psychiatric disorder that is characterized by the emergence of negative affective states. The transition from recreational, limited intake to uncontrolled, escalated intake is proposed to involve a transition from positive to negative reinforcement mechanisms for seeking alcohol. Past work has identified the emergence of significant hyperalgesia/allodynia in alcohol-dependent animals, which may serve as a key negative reinforcement mechanism. Chronic pain has been associated with enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity in cortical and subcortical nociceptive areas. Additionally, both pain and AUD have been associated with increased activity of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a key mediator of stress responsiveness. The objectives of the current study were to first determine relationships between thermal nociceptive sensitivity and alcohol drinking in male Wistar rats. While inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) administration did not modify escalation of home cage drinking in animals over four weeks, the relationship between drinking levels and hyperalgesia symptoms reversed between acute (1 week) and chronic (3-4 week) periods post-CFA administration, suggesting that either the motivational or analgesic effects of alcohol may be altered over the time course of chronic pain. We next examined ERK and GR phosphorylation in pain-related brain areas (including the central amygdala and prefrontal cortex subregions) in animals experiencing acute withdrawal from binge alcohol administration (2 g/kg, 6 h withdrawal) and CFA administration (four weeks) to model the neurobiological consequences of binge alcohol exposure in the context of pain. We observed a significant interaction between alcohol and pain state, whereby alcohol withdrawal increased ERK phosphorylation across all four frontocortical areas examined, although this effect was absent in animals experiencing chronic inflammatory pain. Alcohol withdrawal also increased GR phosphorylation across all four frontocortical areas, but these changes were not altered by CFA. Interestingly, we observed significant inter-brain regional correlations in GR phosphorylation between the insula and other regions investigated only in animals exposed to both alcohol and CFA, suggesting coordinated activity in insula circuitry and glucocorticoid signaling in this context. The results of these studies provide a greater understanding of the neurobiology of AUD and will contribute to the development of effective treatment strategies for comorbid AUD and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Adrienne McGinn
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse IRP, United States
| | - Kimberly N. Edwards
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans, United States
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans, United States
| | - Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans, United States
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans, United States
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans, United States
- Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center, LSU Health-New Orleans, United States
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Sajjadi FS, Aghighi F, Vahidinia Z, Azami-Tameh A, Salami M, Talaei SA. Prenatal urban traffic noise exposure impairs spatial learning and memory and reduces glucocorticoid receptor expression in the hippocampus of male rat offspring. Physiol Int 2020; 107:209-219. [PMID: 32750028 DOI: 10.1556/2060.2020.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Exposure to noise stress during early life may permanently affect the structure and function of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal exposure to urban traffic noise on the spatial learning and memory of the rats' offspring and the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in their hippocampi. Methods Three g\roups of pregnant rats were exposed to recorded urban traffic noise for 1, 2 or 4 h/day during the last week of pregnancy. At the age of 45 days, their male offspring were introduced to the Morris water maze (MWM) for assessment of spatial learning and memory. The corticosterone levels were measured in the offspring's sera by radioimmunoassay, and the relative expression of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) in their hippocampi was evaluated via RT-PCR. Results Facing urban traffic noise for 2 and 4 h/day during the third trimester of pregnancy caused the offspring to spend more time and to travel a larger distance than the controls to find the target platform. Analogously, these two groups were inferior to their control counterparts in the probe test. Also, prenatal noise stress elevated the corticosterone concentration in the sera of the rats' offspring and dose-dependently decreased the relative expression of the mRNA of both GRs and MRs in their hippocampi. Conclusions Urban traffic noise exposure during the last trimester of pregnancy impairs spatial learning and memory of rat offspring and reduces GRs and MRs gene expression in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- F S Sajjadi
- 1Physiology Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - F Aghighi
- 1Physiology Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Z Vahidinia
- 2Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - A Azami-Tameh
- 2Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - M Salami
- 1Physiology Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - S A Talaei
- 1Physiology Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Contribution of Dopamine Transporter Gene Methylation Status to Cannabis Dependency. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060400. [PMID: 32586035 PMCID: PMC7348832 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The susceptibility to cannabis dependency results from the influence of numerous factors such as social, genetic, as well as epigenetic factors. Many studies have attempted to discover a molecular basis for this disease. However, our study aimed at evaluating the connection between altered methylation of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) promoter CpG sites and cannabis dependency. In the cases of some DNA sequences, including the DAT1 gene region, their methylation status in blood cells may reflect a systemic modulation in the whole organism. Consequently, we isolated the DNA from the peripheral blood cells from a group of 201 cannabis-dependent patients and 285 controls who were healthy volunteers and who were matched for age and sex. The DNA was subjected to bisulfite conversion and sequencing. Our analysis revealed no statistical differences in the general methylation status of the DAT1 gene promoter CpG island between the patients and controls. Yet, the analysis of individual CpG sites where methylation occurred indicated significant differences. These sites are known to be bound by transcription factors (e.g., SP1, p53, PAX5, or GR), which, apart from other functions, were shown to play a role in the development of the nervous system. Therefore, DAT1 gene promoter methylation studies may provide important insight into the mechanism of cannabis dependency.
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Shaqura M, Li L, Mohamed DM, Li X, Treskatsch S, Buhrmann C, Shakibaei M, Beyer A, Mousa SA, Schäfer M. Neuronal aldosterone elicits a distinct genomic response in pain signaling molecules contributing to inflammatory pain. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:183. [PMID: 32532285 PMCID: PMC7291517 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01864-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) were identified in peripheral nociceptive neurons, and their acute antagonism was responsible for immediate and short-lasting (non-genomic) antinociceptive effects. The same neurons were shown to produce the endogenous ligand aldosterone by the enzyme aldosterone synthase. Methods Here, we investigate whether endogenous aldosterone contributes to inflammation-induced hyperalgesia via the distinct genomic regulation of specific pain signaling molecules in an animal model of Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced hindpaw inflammation. Results Chronic intrathecal application of MR antagonist canrenoate-K (over 4 days) attenuated nociceptive behavior in rats with FCA hindpaw inflammation suggesting a tonic activation of neuronal MR by endogenous aldosterone. Consistently, double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed abundant co-localization of MR with several pain signaling molecules such as TRPV1, CGRP, Nav1.8, and trkA whose enhanced expression of mRNA and proteins during inflammation was downregulated following i.t. canrenoate-K. More importantly, inhibition of endogenous aldosterone production in peripheral sensory neurons by continuous intrathecal delivery of a specific aldosterone synthase inhibitor prevented the inflammation-induced enhanced transcriptional expression of TRPV1, CGRP, Nav1.8, and trkA and subsequently attenuated nociceptive behavior. Evidence for such a genomic effect of endogenous aldosterone was supported by the demonstration of an enhanced nuclear translocation of MR in peripheral sensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. Conclusion Taken together, chronic inhibition of local production of aldosterone by its processing enzyme aldosterone synthase within peripheral sensory neurons may contribute to long-lasting downregulation of specific pain signaling molecules and may, thus, persistently reduce inflammation-induced hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Shaqura
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Li Li
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Doaa M Mohamed
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Tingar, Egypt
| | - Xiongjuan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 250, Hai'zhu District, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Sascha Treskatsch
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Constanze Buhrmann
- Department of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mehdi Shakibaei
- Department of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Antje Beyer
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Shaaban A Mousa
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Michael Schäfer
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - University Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Yuan T, Manohar K, Latorre R, Orock A, Greenwood-Van Meerveld B. Inhibition of Microglial Activation in the Amygdala Reverses Stress-Induced Abdominal Pain in the Male Rat. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 10:527-543. [PMID: 32408032 PMCID: PMC7394753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Psychological stress is a trigger for the development of irritable bowel syndrome and associated symptoms including abdominal pain. Although irritable bowel syndrome patients show increased activation in the limbic brain, including the amygdala, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating visceral nociception in the central nervous system are incompletely understood. In a rodent model of chronic stress, we explored the role of microglia in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in controlling visceral sensitivity. Microglia are activated by environmental challenges such as stress, and are able to modify neuronal activity via synaptic remodeling and inflammatory cytokine release. Inflammatory gene expression and microglial activity are regulated negatively by nuclear glucocorticoid receptors (GR), which are suppressed by the stress-activated pain mediator p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). METHODS Fisher-344 male rats were exposed to water avoidance stress (WAS) for 1 hour per day for 7 days. Microglia morphology and the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK and GR were analyzed via immunofluorescence. Microglia-mediated synaptic remodeling was investigated by quantifying the number of postsynaptic density protein 95-positive puncta. Cytokine expression levels in the CeA were assessed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction and a Luminex assay (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). Stereotaxic infusion into the CeA of minocycline to inhibit, or fractalkine to activate, microglia was followed by colonic sensitivity measurement via a visceromotor behavioral response to isobaric graded pressures of tonic colorectal distension. RESULTS WAS induced microglial deramification in the CeA. Moreover, WAS induced a 3-fold increase in the expression of phospho-p38 and decreased the ratio of nuclear GR in the microglia. The number of microglia-engulfed postsynaptic density protein 95-positive puncta in the CeA was increased 3-fold by WAS, while cytokine levels were unchanged. WAS-induced changes in microglial morphology, microglia-mediated synaptic engulfment in the CeA, and visceral hypersensitivity were reversed by minocycline whereas in stress-naïve rats, fractalkine induced microglial deramification and visceral hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that chronic stress induces visceral hypersensitivity in male rats and is associated with microglial p38 MAPK activation, GR dysfunction, and neuronal remodeling in the CeA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yuan
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Krishna Manohar
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Rocco Latorre
- Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York University, New York City, New York
| | - Albert Orock
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld, PhD, O’Donoghue Building, Room 332, 1122 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73117.
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