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Taghizadeh Ghassab F, Shamlou Mahmoudi F, Taheri Tinjani R, Emami Meibodi A, Zali MR, Yadegar A. Probiotics and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in neurodegeneration: Beneficial effects and mechanistic insights. Life Sci 2024; 350:122748. [PMID: 38843992 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122748] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a group of heterogeneous disorders with a high socioeconomic burden. Although pharmacotherapy is currently the principal therapeutic approach for the management of NDs, mounting evidence supports the notion that the protracted application of available drugs would abate their dopaminergic outcomes in the long run. The therapeutic application of microbiome-based modalities has received escalating attention in biomedical works. In-depth investigations of the bidirectional communication between the microbiome in the gut and the brain offer a multitude of targets for the treatment of NDs or maximizing the patient's quality of life. Probiotic administration is a well-known microbial-oriented approach to modulate the gut microbiota and potentially influence the process of neurodegeneration. Of note, there is a strong need for further investigation to map out the mechanistic prospects for the gut-brain axis and the clinical efficacy of probiotics. In this review, we discuss the importance of microbiome modulation and hemostasis via probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics and synbiotics in ameliorating pathological neurodegenerative events. Also, we meticulously describe the underlying mechanism of action of probiotics and their metabolites on the gut-brain axis in different NDs. We suppose that the present work will provide a functional direction for the use of probiotic-based modalities in promoting current practical treatments for the management of neurodegenerative-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Taghizadeh Ghassab
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Shamlou Mahmoudi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Taheri Tinjani
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Armitasadat Emami Meibodi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Yadegar
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Murage B, Tan H, Mashimo T, Jackson M, Skehel PA. Spinal cord neurone loss and foot placement changes in a rat knock-in model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae184. [PMID: 38846532 PMCID: PMC11154649 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an age-dependent cell type-selective degenerative disease. Genetic studies indicate that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is part of a spectrum of disorders, ranging from spinal muscular atrophy to frontotemporal dementia that share common pathological mechanisms. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8 is a familial disease caused by mis-sense mutations in VAPB. VAPB is localized to the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum, where it serves as a docking point for cytoplasmic proteins and mediates inter-organelle interactions with the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. A gene knock-in model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8 based on the VapBP56S mutation and VapB gene deletion has been generated in rats. These animals display a range of age-dependent phenotypes distinct from those previously reported in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Type 8. A loss of motor neurones in VapBP56S/+ and VapBP56S/P56S animals is indicated by a reduction in the number of large choline acetyl transferase-staining cells in the spinal cord. VapB-/- animals exhibit a relative increase in cytoplasmic TDP-43 levels compared with the nucleus, but no large protein aggregates. Concomitant with these spinal cord pathologies VapBP56S/+ , VapBP56S/P56S and VapB-/- animals exhibit age-dependent changes in paw placement and exerted pressures when traversing a CatWalk apparatus, consistent with a somatosensory dysfunction. Extramotor dysfunction is reported in half the cases of motor neurone disease, and this is the first indication of an associated sensory dysfunction in a rodent model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Different rodent models may offer complementary experimental platforms with which to understand the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Murage
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Han Tan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Tomoji Mashimo
- Division of Animal Genetics, Laboratory Animal Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Mandy Jackson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Paul A Skehel
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
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Ni X, Su H, Li GH, Li R, Lan R, Lv Y, Pang G, Zhang W, Yang Z, Hu C. Specific differences and novel key regulatory genes of sex in influencing exceptional longevity phenotypes. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2024; 18:103039. [PMID: 38762968 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2024.103039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although the life expectancy of women systematically and robustly exceeds that of men, specific differences and molecular mechanisms of sex in influencing longevity phenotypes remain largely unknown. Therefore, we performed transcriptome sequencing of peripheral blood samples to explore regulatory mechanisms of healthy longevity by incorporating sex data. METHODS We selected 34 exceptional longevity (age: 98.26 ± 2.45 years) and 16 controls (age: 52.81 ± 9.78) without advanced outcomes from 1363 longevity and 692 controls recruited from Nanning of Guangxi for RNA sequencing 1. The transcriptome sequencing 1 data of 50 samples were compared by longevity and sex to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then, 121 aging samples (40-110 years old) without advanced outcomes from 355 longevity and 294 controls recruited from Dongxing of Guangxi were selected for RNA sequencing 2. The genes associated with aging from the transcriptome sequencing 2 of 121 aging samples were filtered out. Finally, the gender-related longevity candidate genes and their possible metabolic pathways were verified by cell model of aging and a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Metabolism differs between male and female and plays a key role in longevity. Moreover, the principal findings of this study revealed a novel key gene, UGT2B11, that plays an important role in regulating lipid metabolism through the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG) signalling pathway and ultimately improving lifespan, particularly in females. CONCLUSION The findings suggest specific differences in metabolism affecting exceptional longevity phenotypes between the sexes and offer novel therapeutic targets to extend lifespan by regulating lipid homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Ni
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, 100730, PR China.
| | - Huabin Su
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Gong-Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Study, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, PR China
| | - Rongqiao Li
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Rushu Lan
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Yuan Lv
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Guofang Pang
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Ze Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, 100730, PR China.
| | - Caiyou Hu
- Jiangbin Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China.
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Mohammadalinejad G, Afsharipour B, Yacyshyn A, Duchcherer J, Bashuk J, Bennett E, Pearcey GEP, Negro F, Quinlan KA, Bennett DJ, Gorassini MA. Intrinsic motoneuron properties in typical human development. J Physiol 2024; 602:2061-2087. [PMID: 38554126 DOI: 10.1113/jp285756] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Motoneuron properties and their firing patterns undergo significant changes throughout development and in response to neuromodulators such as serotonin. Here, we examined the age-related development of self-sustained firing and general excitability of tibialis anterior motoneurons in a young development (7-17 years), young adult (18-28 years) and adult (32-53 years) group, as well as in a separate group of participants taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, aged 11-28 years). Self-sustained firing, as measured by ΔF, was larger in the young development (∼5.8 Hz, n = 20) compared to the young adult (∼4.9 Hz, n = 13) and adult (∼4.8 Hz, n = 8) groups, consistent with a developmental decrease in self-sustained firing mediated by persistent inward currents (PIC). ΔF was also larger in participants taking SSRIs (∼6.5 Hz, n = 9) compared to their age-matched controls (∼5.3 Hz, n = 26), consistent with increased levels of spinal serotonin facilitating the motoneuron PIC. Participants in the young development and SSRI groups also had higher firing rates and a steeper acceleration in initial firing rates (secondary ranges), consistent with the PIC producing a steeper acceleration in membrane depolarization at the onset of motoneuron firing. In summary, both the young development and SSRI groups exhibited increased intrinsic motoneuron excitability compared to the adults, which, in the young development group, was also associated with a larger unsteadiness in the dorsiflexion torque profiles. We propose several intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect both motoneuron PICs and cell discharge which vary during development, with a time course similar to the changes in motoneuron firing behaviour observed in the present study. KEY POINTS: Neurons in the spinal cord that activate muscles in the limbs (motoneurons) undergo increases in excitability shortly after birth to help animals stand and walk. We examined whether the excitability of human ankle flexor motoneurons also continues to change from child to adulthood by recording the activity of the muscle fibres they innervate. Motoneurons in children and adolescents aged 7-17 years (young development group) had higher signatures of excitability that included faster firing rates and more self-sustained activity compared to adults aged ≥18 years. Participants aged 11-28 years of age taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors had the highest measures of motoneuron excitability compared to their age-matched controls. The young development group also had more unstable contractions, which might partly be related to the high excitability of the motoneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazaleh Mohammadalinejad
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Babak Afsharipour
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alex Yacyshyn
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jennifer Duchcherer
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jack Bashuk
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Erin Bennett
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gregory E P Pearcey
- School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's Canada and Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Francesco Negro
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Universita degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italia
| | - Katharina A Quinlan
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - David J Bennett
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Monica A Gorassini
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Zhang T, Chu Y, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wang J, Ji X, Zhang G, Shi G, Cui R, Kang Y. Testosterone deficiency worsens mitochondrial dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1390915. [PMID: 38752208 PMCID: PMC11094339 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1390915] [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: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies show testosterone (T) deficiency worsens cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Mitochondrial dysfunction, as an early event of AD, is becoming critical hallmark of AD pathogenesis. However, currently, whether T deficiency exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction of men with AD remains unclear. Objective The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of T deficiency on mitochondrial dysfunction of male AD mouse models and its potential mechanisms. Methods Alzheimer's disease animal model with T deficiency was performed by castration to 3-month-old male APP/PS1 mice. Hippocampal mitochondrial function of mice was analyzed by spectrophotometry and flow cytometry. The gene expression levels related to mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics were determined through quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blot analysis. SH-SY5Y cells treated with flutamide, T and/or H2O2 were processed for analyzing the potential mechanisms of T on mitochondrial dysfunction. Results Testosterone deficiency significantly aggravated the cognitive deficits and hippocampal pathologic damage of male APP/PS1 mice. These effects were consistent with exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction by gonadectomy to male APP/PS1 mice, reflected by further increase in oxidative damage and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, complex IV activity and ATP levels. More importantly, T deficiency induced the exacerbation of compromised mitochondrial homeostasis in male APP/PS1 mice by exerting detrimental effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics at mRNA and protein level, leading to more defective mitochondria accumulated in the hippocampus. In vitro studies using SH-SY5Y cells validated T's protective effects on the H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial biogenesis impairment, and mitochondrial dynamics imbalance. Administering androgen receptor (AR) antagonist flutamide weakened the beneficial effects of T pretreatment on H2O2-treated SH-SY5Y cells, demonstrating a critical role of classical AR pathway in maintaining mitochondrial function. Conclusion Testosterone deficiency exacerbates hippocampal mitochondrial dysfunction of male APP/PS1 mice by accumulating more defective mitochondria. Thus, appropriate T levels in the early stage of AD might be beneficial in delaying AD pathology by improving mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyun Zhang
- Postdoctoral Research Station of Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yun Chu
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Postdoctoral Research Station of Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jinyang Wang
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Neurology, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoming Ji
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Geming Shi
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Rui Cui
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yunxiao Kang
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Balan I, Boero G, Chéry SL, McFarland MH, Lopez AG, Morrow AL. Neuroactive Steroids, Toll-like Receptors, and Neuroimmune Regulation: Insights into Their Impact on Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:582. [PMID: 38792602 PMCID: PMC11122352 DOI: 10.3390/life14050582] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnane neuroactive steroids, notably allopregnanolone and pregnenolone, exhibit efficacy in mitigating inflammatory signals triggered by toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, thus attenuating the production of inflammatory factors. Clinical studies highlight their therapeutic potential, particularly in conditions like postpartum depression (PPD), where the FDA-approved compound brexanolone, an intravenous formulation of allopregnanolone, effectively suppresses TLR-mediated inflammatory pathways, predicting symptom improvement. Additionally, pregnane neurosteroids exhibit trophic and anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating the production of vital trophic proteins and anti-inflammatory factors. Androstane neuroactive steroids, including estrogens and androgens, along with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), display diverse effects on TLR expression and activation. Notably, androstenediol (ADIOL), an androstane neurosteroid, emerges as a potent anti-inflammatory agent, promising for therapeutic interventions. The dysregulation of immune responses via TLR signaling alongside reduced levels of endogenous neurosteroids significantly contributes to symptom severity across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuroactive steroids, such as allopregnanolone, demonstrate efficacy in alleviating symptoms of various neuropsychiatric disorders and modulating neuroimmune responses, offering potential intervention avenues. This review emphasizes the significant therapeutic potential of neuroactive steroids in modulating TLR signaling pathways, particularly in addressing inflammatory processes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. It advances our understanding of the complex interplay between neuroactive steroids and immune responses, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual needs and providing insights for future research aimed at unraveling the intricacies of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Samantha Lucenell Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Minna H. McFarland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alejandro G. Lopez
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Song QH, Zhao KX, Huang S, Chen T, He L. Escape from X-chromosome inactivation and sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:341-354. [PMID: 38157427 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0108] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences exist in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Globally, women have a higher prevalence, while men with Alzheimer's disease experience earlier mortality and more pronounced cognitive decline than women. The cause of sex differences in Alzheimer's disease remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests the potential role of X-linked genetic factors in the sex difference of Alzheimer's disease (AD). During embryogenesis, a remarkable process known as X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) occurs in females, leading to one of the X chromosomes undergoing transcriptional inactivation, which balances the effects of two X chromosomes in females. Nevertheless, certain genes exceptionally escape from XCI, which provides a basis for dual expression dosage of specific genes in females. Based on recent research findings, we explore key escape genes and their potential therapeutic use associated with Alzheimer's disease. Also, we discuss their possible role in driving the sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. This will provide new perspectives for precision medicine and gender-specific treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hua Song
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ke-Xuan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
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Villa M, Wu J, Hansen S, Pahnke J. Emerging Role of ABC Transporters in Glia Cells in Health and Diseases of the Central Nervous System. Cells 2024; 13:740. [PMID: 38727275 PMCID: PMC11083179 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a crucial role for the efflux of a wide range of substrates across different cellular membranes. In the central nervous system (CNS), ABC transporters have recently gathered significant attention due to their pivotal involvement in brain physiology and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Glial cells are fundamental for normal CNS function and engage with several ABC transporters in different ways. Here, we specifically highlight ABC transporters involved in the maintenance of brain homeostasis and their implications in its metabolic regulation. We also show new aspects related to ABC transporter function found in less recognized diseases, such as Huntington's disease (HD) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), as a model for multiple sclerosis (MS). Understanding both their impact on the physiological regulation of the CNS and their roles in brain diseases holds promise for uncovering new therapeutic options. Further investigations and preclinical studies are warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between glial ABC transporters and physiological brain functions, potentially leading to effective therapeutic interventions also for rare CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Villa
- Translational Neurodegeneration Research and Neuropathology Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine (KlinMed), Medical Faculty, University of Oslo (UiO) and Section of Neuropathology Research, Department of Pathology (PAT), Clinics for Laboratory Medicine (KLM), Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Sognsvannsveien 20, NO-0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jingyun Wu
- Translational Neurodegeneration Research and Neuropathology Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine (KlinMed), Medical Faculty, University of Oslo (UiO) and Section of Neuropathology Research, Department of Pathology (PAT), Clinics for Laboratory Medicine (KLM), Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Sognsvannsveien 20, NO-0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefanie Hansen
- Translational Neurodegeneration Research and Neuropathology Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine (KlinMed), Medical Faculty, University of Oslo (UiO) and Section of Neuropathology Research, Department of Pathology (PAT), Clinics for Laboratory Medicine (KLM), Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Sognsvannsveien 20, NO-0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Pahnke
- Translational Neurodegeneration Research and Neuropathology Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine (KlinMed), Medical Faculty, University of Oslo (UiO) and Section of Neuropathology Research, Department of Pathology (PAT), Clinics for Laboratory Medicine (KLM), Oslo University Hospital (OUS), Sognsvannsveien 20, NO-0372 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine (INUM)/Lübeck Institute of Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck (UzL) and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia (LU), Jelgavas iela 3, LV-1004 Rīga, Latvia
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Georg S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University (TAU), Tel Aviv IL-6997801, Israel
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9
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Niccolai E, Pedone M, Martinelli I, Nannini G, Baldi S, Simonini C, Di Gloria L, Zucchi E, Ramazzotti M, Spezia PG, Maggi F, Quaranta G, Masucci L, Bartolucci G, Stingo FC, Mandrioli J, Amedei A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis stratification: unveiling patterns with virome, inflammation, and metabolism molecules. J Neurol 2024:10.1007/s00415-024-12348-7. [PMID: 38644373 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12348-7] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an untreatable and clinically heterogeneous condition primarily affecting motor neurons. The ongoing quest for reliable biomarkers that mirror the disease status and progression has led to investigations that extend beyond motor neurons' pathology, encompassing broader systemic factors such as metabolism, immunity, and the microbiome. Our study contributes to this effort by examining the potential role of microbiome-related components, including viral elements, such as torque tenovirus (TTV), and various inflammatory factors, in ALS. In our analysis of serum samples from 100 ALS patients and 34 healthy controls (HC), we evaluated 14 cytokines, TTV DNA load, and 18 free fatty acids (FFA). We found that the evaluated variables are effective in differentiating ALS patients from healthy controls. In addition, our research identifies four unique patient clusters, each characterized by distinct biological profiles. Intriguingly, no correlations were found with site of onset, sex, progression rate, phenotype, or C9ORF72 expansion. A remarkable aspect of our findings is the discovery of a gender-specific relationship between levels of 2-ethylhexanoic acid and patient survival. In addition to contributing to the growing body of evidence suggesting altered peripheral immune responses in ALS, our exploratory research underscores metabolic diversity challenging conventional clinical classifications. If our exploratory findings are validated by further research, they could significantly impact disease understanding and patient care customization. Identifying groups based on biological profiles might aid in clustering patients with varying responses to treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Niccolai
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Pedone
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Nannini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Simone Baldi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Leandro Di Gloria
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Department of Translational Research, Retrovirus Center - University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Quaranta
- Department of Laboratory and Infectious Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Masucci
- Department of Laboratory and Infectious Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Claudio Stingo
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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10
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Leys F, Eschlböck S, Campese N, Mahlknecht P, Peball M, Goebel G, Sidoroff V, Krismer F, Granata R, Kiechl S, Poewe W, Seppi K, Wenning GK, Fanciulli A. Sex-related differences in the clinical presentation of multiple system atrophy. Clin Auton Res 2024; 34:253-268. [PMID: 38630378 PMCID: PMC11127878 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-024-01028-1] [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: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate sex-related differences in the clinical presentation of multiple system atrophy (MSA) through a literature review and an analysis of a retrospective cohort. METHODS The PubMed database was searched for articles including sex-related information in MSA. In a retrospective Innsbruck cohort, we investigated the baseline to last available follow-up clinical-demographic differences between men and women with MSA in a univariate fashion, followed by multivariable binary regression analysis. RESULTS The literature search yielded 46 publications with sex-related information in MSA. Most studies found comparable survival rates between the sexes, while some recent reports suggested a potential survival benefit for women, possibly due to initial motor onset and overall less severe autonomic failure compared to men. The retrospective Innsbruck MSA cohort comprised 56 female and 60 male individuals with a comparable median follow-up of 27 months. At baseline, female sex was independently associated with depression (odds ratio [OR] 4.7; p = 0.007) and male sex with severe orthostatic hypotension (OR 5.5; p = 0.016). In addition, at last follow-up, female sex was associated with the intake of central nervous system-active drugs (OR 4.1; p = 0.029), whereas male sex was associated with the presence of supine hypertension (OR 3.0; p = 0.020) and the intake of antihypertensive medications (OR 8.7; p = 0.001). Male sex was also associated with initiation of antihypertensive medications over the observation period (OR 12.4; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION The available literature and findings of the present study indicate sex-related differences in the clinical presentation of MSA and its evolution over time, highlighting the importance of considering sex in symptom exploration, therapeutic decision-making, and future clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Leys
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sabine Eschlböck
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Hochzirl-Natters Hospital, Zirl, Austria
| | - Nicole Campese
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Philipp Mahlknecht
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marina Peball
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Goebel
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Victoria Sidoroff
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Krismer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roberta Granata
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefan Kiechl
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Poewe
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Klaus Seppi
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital of Kufstein, Kufstein, Austria
| | - Gregor K Wenning
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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11
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Xu Y, Nie J, Lu C, Hu C, Chen Y, Ma Y, Huang Y, Lu L. Effects and mechanisms of bisphenols exposure on neurodegenerative diseases risk: A systemic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170670. [PMID: 38325473 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Environmental bisphenols (BPs) pose a global threat to human health because of their extensive use as additives in plastic products. BP residues are increasing in various environmental media (i.e., water, soil, and indoor dust) and biological and human samples (i.e., serum and brain). Both epidemiological and animal studies have determined an association between exposure to BPs and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), including cognitive abnormalities and behavioral disturbances. Hence, understanding the biological responses to different BPs is essential for prevention, and treatment. This study provides an overview of the underlying pathogenic molecular mechanisms as a valuable basis for understanding neurodegenerative disease responses to BPs, including accumulation of misfolded proteins, reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine, abnormal hormone signaling, neuronal death, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, and inflammation. These findings provide new insights into the neurotoxic potential of BPs and ultimately contribute to a comprehensive health risk evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqing Xu
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Jun Nie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China; School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Chenghao Lu
- College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Chao Hu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China; School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Yunlu Chen
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Ying Ma
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Yuru Huang
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Liping Lu
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
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12
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Rymbai E, Sugumar D, Chakkittukandiyil A, Kothandan R, Selvaraj D. Molecular insights into the potential effects of selective estrogen receptor β agonists in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e4014. [PMID: 38616346 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4014] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative disorders. Pathologically, AD and PD are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins. Hence, they are also called as proteinopathy diseases. Gender is considered as one of the risk factors in both diseases. Estrogens are widely accepted to be neuroprotective in several neurodegenerative disorders. Estrogens can be produced in the central nervous system, where they are called as neurosteroids. Estrogens mediate their neuroprotective action mainly through their actions on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). However, ERα is mainly involved in the growth and development of the primary and secondary sexual organs in females. Hence, the activation of ERα is associated with undesired side effects such as gynecomastia and increase in the risk of breast cancer, thromboembolism, and feminization. Therefore, selective activation of ERβ is often considered to be safer. In this review, we explore the role of ERβ in regulating the expression and functions of AD- and PD-associated genes. Additionally, we discuss the association of these genes with the amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and α-synuclein mediated toxicity. Ultimately, we established a correlation between the importance of ERβ activation and the process underlying ERβ's neuroprotective mechanisms in AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emdormi Rymbai
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Deepa Sugumar
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Amritha Chakkittukandiyil
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ram Kothandan
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Divakar Selvaraj
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
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13
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Gentenaar M, Meulmeester FL, van der Burg XR, Hoekstra AT, Hunt H, Kroon J, van Roon-Mom WMC, Meijer OC. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonist CORT113176 attenuates motor and neuropathological symptoms of Huntington's disease in R6/2 mice. Exp Neurol 2024; 374:114675. [PMID: 38216109 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114675] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene. The mutation leads to a toxic gain of function of the mutant huntingtin (mHtt) protein resulting in cellular malfunction, aberrant huntingtin aggregation and eventually neuronal cell death. Patients with HD show impaired motor functions and cognitive decline. Elevated levels of glucocorticoids have been found in HD patients and in HD mouse models, and there is a positive correlation between increased glucocorticoid levels and the progression of HD. Therefore, antagonism of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) may be an interesting strategy for the treatment of HD. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the selective GR antagonist CORT113176 in the commonly used R6/2 mouse model. In male mice, CORT113176 treatment significantly delayed the loss of grip strength, the development of hindlimb clasping, gait abnormalities, and the occurrence of epileptic seizures. CORT113176 treatment delayed loss of DARPP-32 immunoreactivity in the dorsolateral striatum. It also restored HD-related parameters including astrocyte markers in both the dorsolateral striatum and the hippocampus, and microglia markers in the hippocampus. This suggests that CORT113176 has both cell-type and brain region-specific effects. CORT113176 delayed the formation of mHtt aggregates in the striatum and the hippocampus. In female mice, we did not observe major effects of CORT113176 treatment on HD-related symptoms, with the exception of the anti-epileptic effects. We conclude that CORT113176 effectively delays several key symptoms related to the HD phenotype in male R6/2 mice and believe that GR antagonism may be a possible treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Gentenaar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Fleur L Meulmeester
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ximaine R van der Burg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anna T Hoekstra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hazel Hunt
- Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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14
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Ye C, Ho R, Moberg K, Zheng JQ. Sexual Dimorphism in Age-Dependent Neurodegeneration After Mild Head Trauma in Drosophila: Unveiling the Adverse Impact of Female Reproductive Signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.06.583747. [PMID: 38496515 PMCID: PMC10942469 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.06.583747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Environmental insults, including mild head trauma, significantly increase the risk of neurodegeneration. However, it remains challenging to establish a causative connection between early-life exposure to mild head trauma and late-life emergence of neurodegenerative deficits, nor do we know how sex and age compound the outcome. Using a Drosophila model, we demonstrate that exposure to mild head trauma causes neurodegenerative conditions that emerge late in life and disproportionately affect females. Age-at-injury further exacerbates this effect in a sexually dimorphic manner. We further identify Sex Peptide (SP) signaling as a key factor in female susceptibility to post-injury brain deficits. RNA sequencing highlights changes in innate immune defense transcripts specifically in mated females during late life. Our findings establish a causal relationship between early head trauma and late-life neurodegeneration, emphasizing sex differences in injury response and the impact of age-at-injury. Finally, our findings reveal that reproductive signaling adversely impacts female response to mild head insults and elevates vulnerability to late-life neurodegeneration.
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15
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Tan XX, Dai HY, Yao J, Wang JJ, Dai YC, Zhang TH, Qiu LL, Sun J. Hippocampal estrogens rescued the decline of synaptic plasticity after surgery and anesthesia by inhibiting microglia overactivation. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114794. [PMID: 38056710 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114794] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly patients experience postoperative cognitive impairment frequently; therefore, effective interventions are urgently needed. Central nervous inflammation characterized by microglia may promote the progression of POCD by reducing synaptic plasticity. Notably, clinical studies revealed that the incidence of female patients was significantly lower than that of male patients. Besides, the brain estrogens have an anti-inflammatory effect and regulate the microglia at the same times. This study aimed to determine whether suppressing microglia overactivation by hippocampal estrogens can rescue the decrease of synaptic plasticity after surgery and anesthesia. METHODS Exploratory laparotomy was used to establish the POCD model in 15-month-old male or female C57BL/6 J mice and animal behavioral tests were performed to test hippocampal-dependent memory capacity. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the microglial activation and plasticity related protein expressions. Elisa was used to detect the content of estrogens in the hippocampus. Estrogens and estrogen receptor inhibitor were used to replenish the estrogens in the brain and inhibit the effect of estrogens. RESULTS Surgery and anesthesia did not cause POCD in female mice (P > 0.05), while the cognitive function decreased significantly after estrogen receptor inhibitor was given(P < 0.05). Male mice experienced cognitive dysfunction after surgery and anesthesia, and their cognitive function improved after estrogens supplementation (P < 0.05). Given estrogens and estrogen receptor inhibitors at the same time, the cognitive function of male mice could not be saved (P < 0.05). By correlation analysis, there was a negative correlation between the content of hippocampal estrogens and microglia (P < 0.05). The number or degree of activation of microglia affected the synaptic plasticity, which ultimately regulated the cognitive function of mice. CONCLUSION Hippocampal estrogens rescued the decline of synaptic plasticity after surgery and anesthesia by inhibiting microglia overactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xiang Tan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hong-Yu Dai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Juan Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jia-Jia Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu-Chen Dai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tian-Hao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li-Li Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Pain Management, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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16
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Zhou X, Gao Y, Wei J, Luo J, Wang Y, Yue M, Wang B, Hong D, Chen T, Fang X. The intestinal microbiota exerts a sex-specific influence on neuroinflammation in a Parkinson's disease mouse model. Neurochem Int 2024; 173:105661. [PMID: 38157887 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105661] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by chronic and progressive symptoms; it is more prevalent in men than in women. The sex-specific influence of the intestinal microbiota has been associated with some neurodegenerative diseases, but the relationship with PD is currently unclear. In this study, we treated mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to establish a PD mouse model, and we utilised an antibiotic cocktail (Abx) to deplete the intestinal microbiota to evaluate the influence of the intestinal microbiota on male and female PD mice. MPTP treatment obviously caused bradykinesia and low mobility in female and male mice. Meanwhile, Abx treatment exerted a greater effect on male mice than female mice. Western blotting and immunofluorescence revealed that male mice treated with MPTP had higher expression of α-synuclein and proteins related to neuroinflammation and intestinal inflammation based on activation of glial cells and the TLR4-MyD88 signalling pathway. The sex-specific differences could be due to the different composition of the intestinal microbiota. Specifically, female mice had significantly higher abundance of Allobaculum, Turicibacter and Ruminococcus than male mice. Moreover, the abundance of the probiotic genus Bifidobacterium showed opposite trends in male and female mice. Our results indicate that the intestinal microbiota has an important effect on PD mice, especially male mice, by influencing neuroinflammation through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In the future, there should be a focus on providing more reliable evidence for the pathogenesis and precise treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institution of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China; Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Jing Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institution of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jie Luo
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Mengyun Yue
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Daojun Hong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Tingtao Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institution of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Xin Fang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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17
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Zhao J, He C, Fan X, Wang L, Zhao L, Liu H, Shen W, Jiang S, Pei K, Gao J, Qi Y, Liu Y, Zhao J, Zhang R, Lu C, Tong J, Huai J. Tripeptidyl peptidase II coordinates the homeostasis of calcium and lipids in the central nervous system and its depletion causes presenile dementia in female mice through calcium/lipid dyshomeostasis-induced autophagic degradation of CYP19A1. Theranostics 2024; 14:1390-1429. [PMID: 38389851 PMCID: PMC10879859 DOI: 10.7150/thno.92571] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP2) has been proven to be related to human immune and neurological diseases. It is generally considered as a cytosolic protein which forms the largest known protease complex in eukaryotic cells to operate mostly downstream of proteasomes for degradation of longer peptides. However, this canonical function of TPP2 cannot explain its role in a wide variety of biological and pathogenic processes. The mechanistic interrelationships and hierarchical order of these processes have yet to be clarified. Methods: Animals, cells, plasmids, and viruses established and/or used in this study include: TPP2 knockout mouse line, TPP2 conditional knockout mouse lines (different neural cell type oriented), TRE-TPP2 knockin mouse line on the C57BL/6 background; 293T cells with depletion of TPP2, ATF6, IRE1, PERK, SYVN1, UCHL1, ATG5, CEPT1, or CCTα, respectively; 293T cells stably expressing TPP2, TPP2 S449A, TPP2 S449T, or CCTα-KDEL proteins on the TPP2-depleted background; Plasmids for eukaryotic transient expression of rat CYP19A1-Flag, CYP19A1 S118A-Flag, CYP19A1 S118D-Flag, Sac I ML GFP Strand 11 Long, OMMGFP 1-10, G-CEPIA1er, GCAMP2, CEPIA3mt, ACC-GFP, or SERCA1-GFP; AAV2 carrying the expression cassette of mouse CYP19A1-3 X Flag-T2A-ZsGreen. Techniques used in this study include: Flow cytometry, Immunofluorescence (IF) staining, Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining, β-galactosidase staining, Lipid droplet (LD) staining, Calcium (Ca2+) staining, Stimulated emission depletion (STED) imaging, Transmission electron microscopic imaging, Two-photon imaging, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end Labeling (TUNEL) assay, Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) assay, Enzymatic activity assay, Proximity ligation assay (PLA), In vivo electrophysiological recording, Long-term potentiation (LTP) recording, Split-GFP-based mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) detection, Immunoprecipitation (IP), Cellular fractionation, In situ hybridization, Semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Immunoblot, Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics, Primary hippocampal neuron culture and Morris water maze (MWM) test. Results: We found that TPP2, independent of its enzymatic activity, plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of intracellular Ca2+ and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice. In consistence with the critical importance of Ca2+ and PC in the CNS, TPP2 gene ablation causes presenile dementia in female mice, which is closely associated with Ca2+/PC dysregulation-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, abnormal autophagic degradation of CYP19A1 (aromatase), and estrogen depletion. This work therefore uncovers a new role of TPP2 in lipogenesis and neurosteroidogenesis which is tightly related to cognitive function of adult female mice. Conclusion: Our study reveals a crucial role of TPP2 in controlling homeostasis of Ca2+ and lipids in CNS, and its deficiency causes sexual dimorphism in dementia. Thus, this study is not only of great significance for elucidating the pathogenesis of dementia and its futural treatment, but also for interpreting the role of TPP2 in other systems and their related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Chengtong He
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Xueyu Fan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Lin Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Liao Zhao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Wujun Shen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Sanwei Jiang
- Henan International Key Laboratory for Noninvasive Neuromodulation, Department of Physiology & Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, PR China
| | - Kaixuan Pei
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Jingjing Gao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Yawei Qi
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Junqiang Zhao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
| | - Chengbiao Lu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
- Henan International Key Laboratory for Noninvasive Neuromodulation, Department of Physiology & Pathology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, PR China
- Senior author for electrophysiological experiments and related analysis
| | - Jia Tong
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
| | - Jisen Huai
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University (Henan Mental Hospital), Xinxiang, 453000, PR China
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, PR China
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18
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Li L, Guo Y, Ma S, Wen H, Li Y, Qiao J. Association between exposure to per- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and reproductive hormones in human: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 241:117553. [PMID: 37931739 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals. Previous evidence suggests that exposure to PFAS is associated with reproductive hormone levels, but the results of relevant studies are inconsistent. The objective of our study is to determine the association between exposure to PFAS and reproductive hormone levels in gender-specific general population. METHOD Based on scientific search strategies, we systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, and Scopus to obtain the eligible studies published before January 21, 2023. The quality of the included articles was assessed using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) Risk of Bias tool. We combined the β coefficient and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Stata.17 with random-effect model or fixed-effect model. We also performed subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and Begger's and Egger's tests. RESULTS Eleven studies involving 7714 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that PFHxS exposure was positively associated with estradiol (E2) levels in female [β = 0.030, 95% CI: (0.013, 0.046), P = 0.000]. A negative association was found between PFOA [β = -0.012, 95% CI: (-0.023, -0.002), P = 0.017] and PFOS [β = -0.011; 95% CI: (-0.021, -0.000), P = 0.042] exposure with male testosterone (TT) levels. In the subgroup analysis, there were stronger associations in children than in adults. And the high heterogeneity was mainly due to the cross-sectional studies. Publication bias was not found in most of the analyses. CONCLUSION Our study showed that PFAS exposure was significantly associated with reproductive hormone levels. Further related studies are needed to identify the association and potential mechanism in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- School of Nursing, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Yingkun Guo
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Shuai Ma
- School of Nursing, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Hui Wen
- School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yupei Li
- School of Nursing, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Jianhong Qiao
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250014, China.
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19
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Perluigi M, Di Domenico F, Butterfield DA. Oxidative damage in neurodegeneration: roles in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer disease. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:103-197. [PMID: 37843394 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00030.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with multiple etiologies and pathological mechanisms, among which oxidative stress (OS) appears as a major determinant. Intriguingly, OS arises in various pathways regulating brain functions, and it seems to link different hypotheses and mechanisms of AD neuropathology with high fidelity. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage, mainly because of its unique lipid composition, resulting in an amplified cascade of redox reactions that target several cellular components/functions ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. The present review highlights the "OS hypothesis of AD," including amyloid beta-peptide-associated mechanisms, the role of lipid and protein oxidation unraveled by redox proteomics, and the antioxidant strategies that have been investigated to modulate the progression of AD. Collected studies from our groups and others have contributed to unraveling the close relationships between perturbation of redox homeostasis in the brain and AD neuropathology by elucidating redox-regulated events potentially involved in both the pathogenesis and progression of AD. However, the complexity of AD pathological mechanisms requires an in-depth understanding of several major intracellular pathways affecting redox homeostasis and relevant for brain functions. This understanding is crucial to developing pharmacological strategies targeting OS-mediated toxicity that may potentially contribute to slow AD progression as well as improve the quality of life of persons with this severe dementing disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Perluigi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli," Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Domenico
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli," Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Allan Butterfield
- Department of Chemistry and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
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20
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Joo Y, Namgung E, Jeong H, Kang I, Kim J, Oh S, Lyoo IK, Yoon S, Hwang J. Brain age prediction using combined deep convolutional neural network and multi-layer perceptron algorithms. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22388. [PMID: 38104173 PMCID: PMC10725434 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49514-2] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical applications of brain age prediction have expanded, particularly in anticipating the onset and prognosis of various neurodegenerative diseases. In the current study, we proposed a deep learning algorithm that leverages brain structural imaging data and enhances prediction accuracy by integrating biological sex information. Our model for brain age prediction, built on deep neural networks, employed a dataset of 3004 healthy subjects aged 18 and above. The T1-weighted images were minimally preprocessed and analyzed using the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm. The categorical sex information was then incorporated using the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) algorithm. We trained and validated both a CNN-only algorithm (utilizing only brain structural imaging data), and a combined CNN-MLP algorithm (using both structural brain imaging data and sex information) for age prediction. By integrating sex information with T1-weighted imaging data, our proposed CNN-MLP algorithm outperformed not only the CNN-only algorithm but also established algorithms, such as brainageR, in prediction accuracy. Notably, this hybrid CNN-MLP algorithm effectively distinguished between mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease groups by identifying variances in brain age gaps between them, highlighting the algorithm's potential for clinical application. Overall, these results underscore the enhanced precision of the CNN-MLP algorithm in brain age prediction, achieved through the integration of sex information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonji Joo
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Namgung
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeonseok Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ilhyang Kang
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinsol Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sohyun Oh
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In Kyoon Lyoo
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sujung Yoon
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Jaeuk Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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21
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Fan Q, Meng Y, Nie Z, Xie S, Chen C. Sex hormone-binding globulin exerts sex-related causal effects on lower extremity varicose veins: evidence from gender-stratified Mendelian randomization. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1230955. [PMID: 38152135 PMCID: PMC10752419 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1230955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The association between serum sex hormones and lower extremity varicose veins has been reported in observational studies. However, it is unclear whether the association reflects a causal relationship. Besides, serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) has been rarely studied in lower extremity varicose veins. Here, we aim to investigate the association between serum levels of SHBG, testosterone, and estradiol and the risk of lower extremity varicose veins using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods We obtained genome-wide association study summary statistics for serum SHBG levels with 369,002 European participants, serum testosterone levels with 424,907 European participants, serum estradiol levels with 361,194 European participants, and lower extremity varicose veins with 207,055 European participants. First, a univariable MR was performed to identify the causality from SHBG and sex hormone levels to lower extremity varicose veins with several sensitivity analyses being performed. Then, a multivariable MR (MVMR) was performed to further assess whether the causal effects were independent. Finally, we performed a gender-stratified MR to understand the role of genders on lower extremity varicose veins. Results Genetically predicted higher serum SHBG levels significantly increased the risk of lower extremity varicose veins in the univariable MR analysis (OR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.13-1.70; P=1.58×10-3). Sensitivity analyses and MVMR (OR=1.50; 95% CI:1.13-1.99; P=5.61×10-3) verified the robustness of the causal relationships. Gender-stratified MR revealed that higher serum SHBG levels were associated with lower extremity varicose veins in both sexes. However, the OR of serum SHBG levels on lower extremity varicose veins risk in females (OR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.23-1.87; P=1.00×10-4) was greater than in males (OR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.04-1.54; P=1.86×10-2). Conclusions Serum SHBG levels are positively related to lower extremity varicose veins risk in both sexes, especially in females. This may partly explain the higher prevalence of varicose vines among females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglu Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihao Nie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Songping Xie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Changzheng Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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22
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Sharma VV, Lanekoff I. Revealing Structure and Localization of Steroid Regioisomers through Predictive Fragmentation Patterns in Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Anal Chem 2023; 95:17843-17850. [PMID: 37974413 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Identifying and mapping steroids in tissues can provide opportunities for biomarker discovery, the interrogation of disease progression, and new therapeutics. Although separation coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as a powerful tool for studying steroids, imaging and annotating steroid isomers remains challenging. Herein, we present a new method based on the fragmentation of silver-cationized steroids in tandem MS, which produces distinctive and consistent fragmentation patterns conferring confidence in steroid annotation at the regioisomeric level without using prior derivatization, separation, or instrumental modification. In addition to predicting the structure of the steroid with isomeric specificity, the method is simple, flexible, and inexpensive, suggesting that the wider community will easily adapt to it. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by visualizing steroids and steroid isomer distributions in mouse brain tissue using silver-doped pneumatically assisted nanospray desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun V Sharma
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ingela Lanekoff
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
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23
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Martinelli I, Ghezzi A, Zucchi E, Gianferrari G, Ferri L, Moglia C, Manera U, Solero L, Vasta R, Canosa A, Grassano M, Brunetti M, Mazzini L, De Marchi F, Simonini C, Fini N, Vinceti M, Pinti M, Chiò A, Calvo A, Mandrioli J. Predictors for progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated to SOD1 mutation: insight from two population-based registries. J Neurol 2023; 270:6081-6092. [PMID: 37668704 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11963-0] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uncovering distinct features and trajectories of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with SOD1 mutations (SOD1-ALS) can provide valuable insights for patient' counseling and stratification for trials, and interventions timing. Our study aims to pinpoint distinct clinical characteristics of SOD1-ALS by delving into genotype-phenotype correlations and factors that potentially impact disease progression. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study of a SOD1-ALS cohort from two Italian registers situated in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. RESULTS Out of 2204 genotyped ALS patients, 2.5% carried SOD1 mutations, with a M:F ratio of 0.83. SOD1-ALS patients were younger, and more frequently reported a family history of ALS and/or FTD. SOD1-ALS had a longer survival compared to patients without ALS-associated gene mutations. However, here was considerable variability in survival across distinct SOD1 mutations, with an average survival of less than a year for the L39V, G42S, G73S, D91N mutations. Among SOD1-ALS, multivariate analysis showed that, alongside established clinical prognostic factors such as advanced age at onset and high progression rate at diagnosis, mutations located in exon 2 or within highly conserved gene positions predicted worse survival. Conversely, among comorbidities, cancer history was independently associated with longer survival. INTERPRETATION Within the context of an overall slower disease, SOD1-ALS exhibits some degree of heterogeneity linked to the considerable genetic diversity arising from the multitude of potential mutations sites and specific clinical prognostic factors, including cancer history. Revealing the factors that modulate the phenotypic heterogeneity of SOD1-ALS could prove advantageous in improving the efficacy of upcoming therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Viale Pietro Giardini, 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Ph.D. Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ghezzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Viale Pietro Giardini, 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy.
- Neuroscience PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Giulia Gianferrari
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Viale Pietro Giardini, 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Ferri
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Viale Pietro Giardini, 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy
- Neuroscience PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Solero
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Maura Brunetti
- SC Neurologia 1U, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Neurology Unit, ALS Center, AOU Maggiore della Carità and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Neurology Unit, ALS Center, AOU Maggiore della Carità and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Viale Pietro Giardini, 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy
| | - Nicola Fini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Viale Pietro Giardini, 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Science of Public Health, Research Centre in Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcello Pinti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Viale Pietro Giardini, 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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24
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Wang Y, Sun S, Zhai J, Liu Y, Song C, Sun C, Li Q, Liu J, Jiang H, Liu Y. scAAV9-VEGF alleviates symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice through regulating aromatase. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:2817-2827. [PMID: 37882882 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06721-7] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset, chronic, progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive atrophy and weakness of the muscles throughout the body. Herein, we found that the intrathecal injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-delivered VEGF in SOD1-G93A transgenic mice, as well as ALS mice, could significantly delay disease onset and preserve motor functions and neurological functions, thus prolonging the survival of mice models. Moreover, we found that VEGF treatment could induce the elevated expression of aromatase, which is a key enzyme in estrogen synthesis, in neurons but not in astrocytes. On the other hand, the changes in the expression of oxidative stress-related factors HO-1 and GCLM and autophagy-related proteins p62 and LC3II upon the administration of VEGF revealed the involvement of oxidative stress and autophagy underlying the downstream of the VEGF-induced mitigation of ALS. In conclusion, this study proved the protective effects of VEGF in the onset and development of ALS and revealed the involvement of estrogen, oxidative stress and autophagy in the VEGF-induced alleviation of ALS. Our results highlighted the potential of VEGF as a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuo Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingxu Zhai
- The Third Department of Pediatrics, Xingtai People's Hospital, 16 Hongxing Street, Xingtai, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- General practice department, Cangzhou Central Hospital, 16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoyuan Song
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuimei Sun
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianqiang Liu
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Jiang
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
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25
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Ma J, Liu L, Song L, Liu J, Yang L, Chen Q, Wu JY, Zhu L. Integration of FUNDC1-associated mitochondrial protein import and mitochondrial quality control contributes to TDP-43 degradation. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:735. [PMID: 37951930 PMCID: PMC10640645 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06261-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Though TDP-43 protein can be translocated into mitochondria and causes mitochondrial damage in TDP-43 proteinopathy, little is known about how TDP-43 is imported into mitochondria. In addition, whether mitochondrial damage is caused by mitochondrial mislocalization of TDP-43 or a side effect of mitochondria-mediated TDP-43 degradation remains to be investigated. Here, our bioinformatical analyses reveal that mitophagy receptor gene FUNDC1 is co-expressed with TDP-43, and both TDP-43 and FUNDC1 expression is correlated with genes associated with mitochondrial protein import pathway in brain samples of patients diagnosed with TDP-43 proteinopathy. FUNDC1 promotes mitochondrial translocation of TDP-43 possibly by promoting TDP-43-TOM70 and DNAJA2-TOM70 interactions, which is independent of the LC3 interacting region of FUNDC1 in cellular experiments. In the transgenic fly model of TDP-43 proteinopathy, overexpressing FUNDC1 enhances TDP-43 induced mitochondrial damage, whereas down-regulating FUNDC1 reverses TDP-43 induced mitochondrial damage. FUNDC1 regulates mitochondria-mediated TDP-43 degradation not only by regulating mitochondrial TDP-43 import, but also by increasing LONP1 level and by activating mitophagy, which plays important roles in cytosolic TDP-43 clearance. Together, this study not only uncovers the mechanism of mitochondrial TDP-43 import, but also unravels the active role played by mitochondria in regulating TDP-43 homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfa Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jianghong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lingyao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Quan Chen
- Interdisciplinary Center of Cell Response, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jane Y Wu
- Department of Neurology, Center for Genetic Medicine, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Sisk-Hackworth L, Brown J, Sau L, Levine AA, Tam LYI, Ramesh A, Shah RS, Kelley-Thackray ET, Wang S, Nguyen A, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. Genetic hypogonadal mouse model reveals niche-specific influence of reproductive axis and sex on intestinal microbial communities. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:79. [PMID: 37932822 PMCID: PMC10626657 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00564-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiome has been linked to many diseases with sex bias including autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and reproductive disorders. While numerous studies report sex differences in fecal microbial communities, the role of the reproductive axis in this differentiation is unclear and it is unknown how sex differentiation affects microbial diversity in specific regions of the small and large intestine. METHODS We used a genetic hypogonadal mouse model that does not produce sex steroids or go through puberty to investigate how sex and the reproductive axis impact bacterial diversity within the intestine. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we analyzed alpha and beta diversity and taxonomic composition of fecal and intestinal communities from the lumen and mucosa of the duodenum, ileum, and cecum from adult female (n = 20) and male (n = 20) wild-type mice and female (n = 17) and male (n = 20) hypogonadal mice. RESULTS Both sex and reproductive axis inactivation altered bacterial composition in an intestinal section and niche-specific manner. Hypogonadism was significantly associated with bacteria from the Bacteroidaceae, Eggerthellaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Rikenellaceae families, which have genes for bile acid metabolism and mucin degradation. Microbial balances between males and females and between hypogonadal and wild-type mice were also intestinal section-specific. In addition, we identified 3 bacterial genera (Escherichia Shigella, Lachnoclostridium, and Eggerthellaceae genus) with higher abundance in wild-type female mice throughout the intestinal tract compared to both wild-type male and hypogonadal female mice, indicating that activation of the reproductive axis leads to female-specific differentiation of the gut microbiome. Our results also implicated factors independent of the reproductive axis (i.e., sex chromosomes) in shaping sex differences in intestinal communities. Additionally, our detailed profile of intestinal communities showed that fecal samples do not reflect bacterial diversity in the small intestine. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that sex differences in the gut microbiome are intestinal niche-specific and that sampling feces or the large intestine may miss significant sex effects in the small intestine. These results strongly support the need to consider both sex and reproductive status when studying the gut microbiome and while developing microbial-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sisk-Hackworth
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jada Brown
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lillian Sau
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Reeya S Shah
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Sophia Wang
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anita Nguyen
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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27
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Willekens J, Mosca P, Burt-Oberecken N, Laugeais E, Kaoma T, Bernardin F, Vallar L, Dimofski P, Renaud M, Lambert L, Leheup B, Guéant JL, Leininger-Muller B, Dreumont N. Cross-Talk between miRNAs from the Dlk1-Dio3 Locus and Histone Methylation to Protect Male Cerebellum from Methyl Donor Deficiency. Mol Nutr Food Res 2023; 67:e2300040. [PMID: 37672803 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300040] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Disruption of the one carbon metabolism during development, i.e., following a gestational vitamin B9 and B12 deficiencies, is involved in birth defects and brain development delay. Using a rat nutritional model, consisting of pups born to dams fed a vitamin B9 and B12 deficient diet (MDD), the study previously reports molecular and cellular alterations in the brain, in a sex dependent manner, with females being more affected than males. The study hypothesizes that epigenetic modifications could participate in the sex differences is observed. METHODS AND RESULTS The study investigates lysine methylation of histones and expression of microRNAs in the cerebellum of MDD male and female pups. The study reports a differential regulation of H3K36Me2 and H4K20Me3 between males and females, in response to MDD. Moreover, distinct regulation of Kmt5b and Kdm2a expression by miR-134-5p and miR-369-5p from the Dlk1-Dio3 locus, contributes to the maintenance of expression of genes involved in synaptic plasticity. CONCLUSION These results could explain the neuroprotection to MDD that male pups display. The work will contribute to the understanding of the consequences of vitamin starvation on brain development, as well as how the epigenome is affected by one carbon metabolism disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Willekens
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, NGERE, Nancy, F-54000, France
- CINJ, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Pauline Mosca
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, NGERE, Nancy, F-54000, France
| | | | - Edgar Laugeais
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, NGERE, Nancy, F-54000, France
| | - Tony Kaoma
- Luxembourg Institute of Health, Bioinformatics Platform, 1 A-B, Luxembourg, L-1445, Luxembourg
| | - François Bernardin
- Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, L-1210, Luxembourg
| | - Laurent Vallar
- Luxembourg Institute of Health, Bioinformatics Platform, 1 A-B, Luxembourg, L-1445, Luxembourg
| | | | - Mathilde Renaud
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, NGERE, Nancy, F-54000, France
- CHRU Nancy, Hôpital d'enfants, Service de Génétique Clinique, Nancy, F-54000, France
| | - Laetitia Lambert
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, NGERE, Nancy, F-54000, France
- CHRU Nancy, Hôpital d'enfants, Service de Génétique Clinique, Nancy, F-54000, France
| | - Bruno Leheup
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm, NGERE, Nancy, F-54000, France
- CHRU Nancy, Hôpital d'enfants, Service de Génétique Clinique, Nancy, F-54000, France
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28
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Cignarella A, Vegeto E, Bolego C, Trabace L, Conti L, Ortona E. Sex-oriented perspectives in immunopharmacology. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106956. [PMID: 37820857 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106956] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Several immunopharmacological agents are effective in the treatment of cancer and immune-mediated conditions, with a favorable impact on life expectancy and clinical outcomes for a large number of patients. Nevertheless, response variation and undesirable effects of these drugs represent major issues, and overall efficacy remains unpredictable. Males and females show a distinct difference in immune system responses, with females generally mounting stronger responses to a variety of stimuli. Therefore, exploring sex differences in the efficacy and safety of immunopharmacological agents would strengthen the practice of precision medicine. As a pharmacological target highlight, programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) is the first functionally characterized ligand of the coinhibitory programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1). The PD-L1/PD-1 crosstalk plays an important role in the immune response and is relevant in cancer, infectious and autoimmune disease. Sex differences in the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors are well documented, with male patients responding better than female patients. Similarly, higher efficacy of and adherence to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in chronic inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease have been reported in male patients. The pharmacological basis of sex-specific responses to immune system modulating drugs is actively investigated in other settings such as stroke and type 1 diabetes. Advances in therapeutics targeting the endothelium could soon be wielded against autoimmunity and metabolic disorders. Based on the established sexual dimorphism in immune-related pathophysiology and disease presentation, sex-specific immunopharmacological protocols should be integrated into clinical guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisabetta Vegeto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bolego
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Lucia Conti
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Ortona
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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29
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Fung W, Tan TM, Kolotuev I, Heiman MG. A sex-specific switch in a single glial cell patterns the apical extracellular matrix. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4174-4186.e7. [PMID: 37708887 PMCID: PMC10578079 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Apical extracellular matrix (aECM) constitutes the interface between every tissue and the outside world. It is patterned into diverse tissue-specific structures through unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that a male-specific genetic switch in a single C. elegans glial cell patterns the overlying aECM from a solid sheet to an ∼200 nm pore, thus allowing a male sensory neuron to access the environment. Using cell-specific genetic sex reversal, we find that this switch reflects an inherent sex difference in the glial cell that is independent of the sex identity of the surrounding neurons. Through candidate and unbiased genetic screens, we find that this glial sex difference is controlled by factors shared with neurons (mab-3, lep-2, and lep-5) as well as previously unidentified regulators whose effects may be glia specific (nfya-1, bed-3, and jmjd-3.1). The switch results in male-specific glial expression of a secreted Hedgehog-related protein, GRL-18, that we discover localizes to transient nanoscale rings at sites where aECM pores will form. Using electron microscopy, we find that blocking male-specific gene expression in glia prevents pore formation, whereas forcing male-specific glial gene expression induces an ectopic pore. Thus, a switch in gene expression in a single cell is necessary and sufficient to pattern aECM into a specific structure. Our results highlight that aECM is not a simple homogeneous meshwork, but instead is composed of discrete local features that reflect the identity of the underlying cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Fung
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Taralyn M Tan
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Irina Kolotuev
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maxwell G Heiman
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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30
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Gonzalez Deniselle MC, Bettini M, Garrido RM, Meyer M, Lara A, Garay LI, Casas S, Fulgenzi E, Nuñez M, Rugiero MF, De Nicola AF, Gargiulo-Monachelli G. Exposure to endogenous and exogenous sex hormones and reproductive history influence prognosis in women with ALS. Muscle Nerve 2023; 68:414-421. [PMID: 37493444 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27942] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with a higher incidence in men suggesting an influence of sex steroids. Our objective was to investigate past exposure to endogenous and synthetic steroids in female ALS patients and controls. METHODS We administered a questionnaire to 158 postmenopausal women (75 ALS patients and 83 controls). We calculated reproductive time span (RTS), lifetime endogenous estrogen (LEE) and progesterone exposures (LPE), oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, and reproductive history. RESULTS ALS patients showed shorter LEE and LPE, a lower proportion of breast cancer, and 11% showed no history of pregnancies vs. 4% of controls. Odds ratios (ORs) showed that <17 y of LEE and a delayed menarche (>13 y) constitute risk factors for ALS [OR = 2.1 (95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.08-4.2); and OR = 2.4 (95% CI, 1.1-5.1) respectively]. According to Cox survival analysis, for each year the LEE increased over 17 y, it was independently associated with longer survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.37 (95% CI, 0.16-0.85)] after adjusting for smoking, age and site of onset. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that for each month using OCP for longer than 40 mo increased the risk of ALS [adjusted OR = 4.1 (95% CI, 1.2-13.8)]. DISCUSSION Thus, longer exposure to endogenous female sex steroids increased survival and reduced ALS susceptibility. In contrast, longer exposure to synthetic sex steroids showed a negative impact by reducing the production of endogenous female sex steroids or due to crossover with other steroid receptors. Given the neuroprotective effects of sex steroids, we suggest that abnormalities of neuroendocrine components may alter motor function in women with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariela Bettini
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosa M Garrido
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital Marie Curie, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Meyer
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Lara
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura I Garay
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Casas
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Militar Central Cirujano Mayor Dr. Cosme Argerich, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ernesto Fulgenzi
- Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Myriam Nuñez
- Department of Physics Mathematics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo F Rugiero
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital Marie Curie, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gisella Gargiulo-Monachelli
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Neurology, Hospital General de Agudos Juan A. Fernández, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Neurology, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno", CEMIC, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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31
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Atamena D, Gurram V, Petsophonsakul P, Khosrobakhsh F, Arrázola MS, Botella M, Wissinger B, Szelechowski M, Belenguer P. Genetic background modulates phenotypic expressivity in OPA1 mutated mice, relevance to DOA pathogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1241222. [PMID: 37736113 PMCID: PMC10510408 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1241222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is mainly caused by OPA1 mutations and is characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), whose axons form the optic nerve. The penetrance of DOA is incomplete and the disease is marked by highly variable expressivity, ranging from asymptomatic patients to some who are totally blind or who suffer from multisystemic effects. No clear genotype-phenotype correlation has been established to date. Taken together, these observations point toward the existence of modifying genetic and/or environmental factors that modulate disease severity. Here, we investigated the influence of genetic background on DOA expressivity by switching the previously described DOA mouse model bearing the c.1065 + 5G → A Opa1 mutation from mixed C3H; C57BL/6 J to a pure C57BL/6 J background. We no longer observed retinal and optic nerve abnormalities; the findings indicated no degeneration, but rather a sex-dependent negative effect on RGC connectivity. This highlights the fact that RGC synaptic alteration might precede neuronal death, as has been proposed in other neurodegenerative diseases, providing new clinical considerations for early diagnosis as well as a new therapeutic window for DOA. Furthermore, our results demonstrate the importance of secondary genetic factors in the variability of DOA expressivity and offer a model for screening for aggravating environmental and genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djamaa Atamena
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Venu Gurram
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Petnoï Petsophonsakul
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Farnoosh Khosrobakhsh
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- Department of Biological Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Macarena S. Arrázola
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Marlène Botella
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marion Szelechowski
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Pascale Belenguer
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université Toulouse III, CNRS, Toulouse, France
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Solovyev N, Lucio M, Mandrioli J, Forcisi S, Kanawati B, Uhl J, Vinceti M, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Michalke B. Interplay of Metallome and Metabolome in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Study on Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients Carrying Disease-Related Gene Mutations. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3035-3046. [PMID: 37608584 PMCID: PMC10485893 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00128] [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: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by a loss of function of upper and lower motor neurons. This study aimed to explore probable pathological alterations occurring in individuals with ALS compared to neurologically healthy controls through the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a medium, which directly interacts with brain parenchyma. A total of 7 ALS patients with disease-associated mutations (ATXN2, C9ORF72, FUS, SOD1, and TARDBP) and 13 controls were included in the study. Multiple analytical approaches were employed, including metabolomic and metallomics profiling, as well as genetic screening, using CSF samples obtained from the brain compartment. Data analysis involved the application of multivariate statistical methods. Advanced hyphenated selenium and redox metal (iron, copper, and manganese) speciation techniques and nontargeted Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry-based metabolomics were used for data acquisition. Nontargeted metabolomics showed reduced steroids, including sex hormones; additionally, copper and manganese species were found to be the most relevant features for ALS patients. This indicates a potential alteration of sex hormone pathways in the ALS-affected brain, as reflected in the CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Solovyev
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marianna Lucio
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department
of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Department
of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria
di Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Forcisi
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Basem Kanawati
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jenny Uhl
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marco Vinceti
- CREAGEN
Research Center of Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology,
Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Michalke
- Analytical
BioGeoChemistry Research Unit, Helmholtz
Center Munich—German Research Center for Environmental Health
GmbH, Ingolstädter
Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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Seeman MV. Schizophrenia in Women: Clinical Considerations. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2023; 46:475-486. [PMID: 37500245 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Men and women, for biologic and sociocultural reasons, differ in the nature of their risks for schizophrenia and also in their care needs. Women with schizophrenia have several reproduction-associated risks and care needs that require special clinical consideration. They also have several specific risks related to antipsychotics and gender-associated needs not necessarily related to biology. These require clinicians' diagnostic acumen, treatment skills, cultural sensitivity, and advocacy know-how. Although this does not pertain to everyone, awareness on the part of clinicians is essential. This article addresses the current evidence for difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary V Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5P3L6, Canada.
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34
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Song D, Liu J, Liu Y. Reactive Paper Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Detection of Estrogens in Cosmetics. Molecules 2023; 28:5675. [PMID: 37570649 PMCID: PMC10419539 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155675] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid detection of harmful estrogens in cosmetics is essential in protecting public health. To reduce time-consuming pretreatment and analytical procedures, a novel reactive paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (RPSI-MS) methodology was developed. RPSI-MS is suitable for quantitatively analyzing estrogens in cosmetics by utilizing an online derivatization reaction between estrogens and 2-fluoro-1-methyl-pyridinium-p-toluene-sulfonate (FluMP). Using estradiol valerate as the internal standard (I.S.), three estrogens, estradiol, estriol, and ethinyloestradiol, in cosmetics were quantitatively characterized within minutes. Multiple parameters were optimized including FluMP concentration and volume, triethylamine amount as well as the drying time. The three estrogens displayed good linearity ranging from 0.002 to 1 μg/mL, with R2 above 0.99. The recovery results of all the estrogens were within 80~111%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.001 μg/mL for the three estrogens. Compared to conventional paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS), extraction is not required and the detection sensitivity of RPSI-MS was improved by 34,000, 80,000, and 1400 times for estradiol, estriol, and ethinyloestradiol, respectively. The protocol established in this paper is sensitive, eco-friendly, and suitable for rapid testing of estrogens in cosmetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongning Song
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China; (D.S.); (J.L.)
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Chemical Drugs, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Jing Liu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China; (D.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Yang Liu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China; (D.S.); (J.L.)
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Chemical Drugs, Beijing 102629, China
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35
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Raheel K, Deegan G, Di Giulio I, Cash D, Ilic K, Gnoni V, Chaudhuri KR, Drakatos P, Moran R, Rosenzweig I. Sex differences in alpha-synucleinopathies: a systematic review. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1204104. [PMID: 37545736 PMCID: PMC10398394 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1204104] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Past research indicates a higher prevalence, incidence, and severe clinical manifestations of alpha-synucleinopathies in men, leading to a suggestion of neuroprotective properties of female sex hormones (especially estrogen). The potential pathomechanisms of any such effect on alpha-synucleinopathies, however, are far from understood. With that aim, we undertook to systematically review, and to critically assess, contemporary evidence on sex and gender differences in alpha-synucleinopathies using a bench-to-bedside approach. Methods In this systematic review, studies investigating sex and gender differences in alpha-synucleinopathies (Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Behavior Disorder (RBD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)) from 2012 to 2022 were identified using electronic database searches of PubMed, Embase and Ovid. Results One hundred sixty-two studies were included; 5 RBD, 6 MSA, 20 DLB and 131 PD studies. Overall, there is conclusive evidence to suggest sex-and gender-specific manifestation in demographics, biomarkers, genetics, clinical features, interventions, and quality of life in alpha-synucleinopathies. Only limited data exists on the effects of distinct sex hormones, with majority of studies concentrating on estrogen and its speculated neuroprotective effects. Conclusion Future studies disentangling the underlying sex-specific mechanisms of alpha-synucleinopathies are urgently needed in order to enable novel sex-specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kausar Raheel
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Deegan
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- BRAIN, Imaging Centre, CNS, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Di Giulio
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Cash
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- BRAIN, Imaging Centre, CNS, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katarina Ilic
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- BRAIN, Imaging Centre, CNS, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Gnoni
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Lecce, Italy
| | - K. Ray Chaudhuri
- Movement Disorders Unit, King’s College Hospital and Department of Clinical and Basic Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Panagis Drakatos
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalyn Moran
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ivana Rosenzweig
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Zeng PY, Tsai YH, Lee CL, Ma YK, Kuo TH. Minimal influence of estrous cycle on studies of female mouse behaviors. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1146109. [PMID: 37470056 PMCID: PMC10352621 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1146109] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sex bias has been an issue in many biomedical fields, especially in neuroscience. In rodent research, many scientists only focused on male animals due to the belief that female estrous cycle gives rise to unacceptable, high levels of variance in the experiments. However, even though female sexual behaviors are well known to be regulated by estrous cycle, which effects on other non-sexual behaviors were not always consistent in previous reports. Recent reviews analyzing published literature even suggested that there is no evidence for larger variation in female than male in several phenotypes. Methods To further investigate the impact of estrous cycle on the variability of female behaviors, we conducted multiple behavioral assays, including the open field test, forced swimming test, and resident-intruder assay to assess anxiety-, depression-like behaviors, as well as social interaction respectively. We compared females in the estrus and diestrus stages across four different mouse strains: C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H, and DBA/2. Results Our results found no significant difference in most behavioral parameters between females in these two stages. On the other hand, the differences in behaviors among certain strains are relatively consistent in both stages, suggesting a very minimal effect of estrous cycle for detecting the behavioral difference. Last, we compared the behavioral variation between male and female and found very similar variations in most behaviors between the two sexes. Discussion While our study successfully identified behavioral differences among strains and between the sexes, we did not find solid evidence to support the notion that female behaviors are influenced by the estrous cycle. Additionally, we observed similar levels of behavioral variability between males and females. Female mice, therefore, have no reason to be excluded in future behavioral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yun Zeng
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hsuan Tsai
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lin Lee
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kai Ma
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Han Kuo
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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DuMont M, Agostinis A, Singh K, Swan E, Buttle Y, Tropea D. Sex representation in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders' preclinical and clinical studies. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106214. [PMID: 37385457 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106214] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies show the importance of biological sex for the onset, progression, and response to treatment in brain disorders. In line with these reports, health agencies have requested that all trials, both at the clinical and preclinical level, use a similar number of male and female subjects to correctly interpret the results. Despite these guidelines, many studies still tend to be unbalanced in the use of male and female subjects. In this review we consider three neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and three psychiatric disorders: Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Schizophrenia. These disorders were chosen because of their prevalence and their recognized sex-specific differences in onset, progression, and response to treatment. Alzheimer's disease and Depression demonstrate higher prevalence in females, whereas Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and schizophrenia show higher prevalence in males. Results from preclinical and clinical studies examining each of these disorders revealed sex-specific differences in risk factors, diagnostic biomarkers, and treatment response and efficacy, suggesting a role for sex-specific therapies in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the qualitative analysis of the percentage of males and females enrolled in clinical trials in the last two decades shows that for most of the disorders, there is still a sex bias in the patients' enrolment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke DuMont
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Kiran Singh
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Evan Swan
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yvonne Buttle
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela Tropea
- Department of Psychiatry and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Lloyd Building, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland; FutureNeuro, the SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases.
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38
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Calvo N, Einstein G. Steroid hormones: risk and resilience in women's Alzheimer disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1159435. [PMID: 37396653 PMCID: PMC10313425 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1159435] [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: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
More women have Alzheimer disease (AD) than men, but the reasons for this phenomenon are still unknown. Including women in clinical research and studying their biology is key to understand not just their increased risk but also their resilience against the disease. In this sense, women are more affected by AD than men, but their reserve or resilience mechanisms might delay symptom onset. The aim of this review was to explore what is known about mechanisms underlying women's risk and resilience in AD and identify emerging themes in this area that merit further research. We conducted a review of studies analyzing molecular mechanisms that may induce neuroplasticity in women, as well as cognitive and brain reserve. We also analyzed how the loss of steroid hormones in aging may be linked to AD. We included empirical studies with human and animal models, literature reviews as well as meta-analyses. Our search identified the importance of 17-b-estradiol (E2) as a mechanism driving cognitive and brain reserve in women. More broadly, our analysis revealed the following emerging perspectives: (1) the importance of steroid hormones and their effects on both neurons and glia for the study of risk and resilience in AD, (2) E2's crucial role in women's brain reserve, (3) women's verbal memory advantage as a cognitive reserve factor, and (4) E2's potential role in linguistic experiences such as multilingualism and hearing loss. Future directions for research include analyzing the reserve mechanisms of steroid hormones on neuronal and glial plasticity, as well as identifying the links between steroid hormone loss in aging and risk for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Calvo
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gillian Einstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tema Genus, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Women’s College Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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39
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Zhou L, Li Y, Wang M, Han W, Chen Q, Zhang J, Sun B, Fan Y. Disruption of α-Synuclein proteostasis in the striatum and midbrain of long-term ovariectomized female mice. Neuroscience 2023:S0306-4522(23)00224-5. [PMID: 37257555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.05.013] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that women are less susceptible to Parkinson's disease (PD) than men. Estrogen exposure is hypothesized to confer protection against dopaminergic neuronal loss in patients with PD. Although the accumulation and propagation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) are closely linked to the clinical progression of PD, no relevant research has examined whether α-Syn proteostasis in the brain is altered in women after menopause. In this study, we established long-term ovariectomized (OVX) mice to simulate late post-menopause and investigated the expression and aggregation of α-Syn following the ovariectomy procedure. We observed that the OVX mice exhibited a significant increase in the expression and aggregation of α-Syn in the striatum and midbrain accompanied by impaired motor performance at 3 months after ovariectomy. The accumulation of α-Syn did not result in a significant loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons but did enhance autophagy and neuroglial activation. These findings imply that menopause may disrupt α-Syn proteostasis and exacerbate the accumulation of α-Syn in the basal ganglia circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfeng Zhou
- Neuroprotective Drug Discovery Center of Nanjing Medical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Li
- Neuroprotective Drug Discovery Center of Nanjing Medical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Wang
- Neuroprotective Drug Discovery Center of Nanjing Medical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjing Han
- Neuroprotective Drug Discovery Center of Nanjing Medical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Neuroprotective Drug Discovery Center of Nanjing Medical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu 223300, China; Department of Neurology, the Huaian Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu 223300, China.
| | - Yi Fan
- Neuroprotective Drug Discovery Center of Nanjing Medical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Terrin F, Tesoriere A, Plotegher N, Dalla Valle L. Sex and Brain: The Role of Sex Chromosomes and Hormones in Brain Development and Parkinson's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1486. [PMID: 37296608 PMCID: PMC10252697 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones and genes on the sex chromosomes are not only key factors in the regulation of sexual differentiation and reproduction but they are also deeply involved in brain homeostasis. Their action is crucial for the development of the brain, which presents different characteristics depending on the sex of individuals. The role of these players in the brain is fundamental in the maintenance of brain function during adulthood as well, thus being important also with respect to age-related neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we explore the role of biological sex in the development of the brain and analyze its impact on the predisposition toward and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, we focus on Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that has a higher incidence in the male population. We report how sex hormones and genes encoded by the sex chromosomes could protect from the disease or alternatively predispose toward its development. We finally underline the importance of considering sex when studying brain physiology and pathology in cellular and animal models in order to better understand disease etiology and develop novel tailored therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicoletta Plotegher
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.T.); (A.T.)
| | - Luisa Dalla Valle
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.T.); (A.T.)
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Valles SL, Singh SK, Campos-Campos J, Colmena C, Campo-Palacio I, Alvarez-Gamez K, Caballero O, Jorda A. Functions of Astrocytes under Normal Conditions and after a Brain Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098434. [PMID: 37176144 PMCID: PMC10179527 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS) there are a greater number of glial cells than neurons (between five and ten times more). Furthermore, they have a greater number of functions (more than eight functions). Glia comprises different types of cells, those of neural origin (astrocytes, radial glia, and oligodendroglia) and differentiated blood monocytes (microglia). During ontogeny, neurons develop earlier (at fetal day 15 in the rat) and astrocytes develop later (at fetal day 21 in the rat), which could indicate their important and crucial role in the CNS. Analysis of the phylogeny reveals that reptiles have a lower number of astrocytes compared to neurons and in humans this is reversed, as there have a greater number of astrocytes compared to neurons. These data perhaps imply that astrocytes are important and special cells, involved in many vital functions, including memory, and learning processes. In addition, astrocytes are involved in different mechanisms that protect the CNS through the production of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proteins and they clean the extracellular environment and help neurons to communicate correctly with each other. The production of inflammatory mediators is important to prevent changes in brain homeostasis. On the contrary, excessive, or continued production appears as a characteristic element in many diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and in neurodevelopmental diseases, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. Furthermore, different drugs and techniques have been developed to reverse oxidative stress and/or excess of inflammation that occurs in many CNS diseases, but much remains to be investigated. This review attempts to highlight the functional relevance of astrocytes in normal and neuropathological conditions by showing the molecular and cellular mechanisms of their role in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya L Valles
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Indian Scientific Education and Technology Foundation, Lucknow 226002, India
| | - Juan Campos-Campos
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Colmena
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ignacio Campo-Palacio
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Kenia Alvarez-Gamez
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Oscar Caballero
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Adrian Jorda
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Liu M, Zhu L, Guo YJ, Zhang SS, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Chao FL, Tang Y. The effects of voluntary running exercise on the astrocytes of the medial prefrontal cortex in APP/PS1 mice. J Comp Neurol 2023. [PMID: 37146123 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25485] [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: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Pathological changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and astrocytes are closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Voluntary running has been found to effectively delay AD. However, the effects of voluntary running on mPFC astrocytes in AD are unclear. A total of 40 10-month-old male amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice and 40 wild-type (WT) mice were randomly divided into control and running groups, and the running groups underwent voluntary running for 3 months. Mouse cognition was assessed by the novel object recognition (NOR), Morris water maze (MWM), and Y maze tests. The effects of voluntary running on mPFC astrocytes were investigated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and stereology. APP/PS1 mice performed significantly worse than WT mice in the NOR, MWM, and Y maze tests, and voluntary running improved the performance of APP/PS1 mice in these tests. The total number of mPFC astrocytes was increased, cell bodies were enlarged, and protrusion number and length were increased in AD mice compared with WT mice, but there was no difference in component 3 (C3) levels in the mPFC (total mPFC level); however, C3 and S100B levels in astrocytes were increased in AD mice. Voluntary running reduced the total number of astrocytes and S100B levels in astrocytes and increased the density of PSD95+ puncta in direct contact with astrocyte protrusions in the APP/PS1 mouse mPFC. Three months of voluntary running inhibited astrocyte hyperplasia and S100B expression in astrocytes, increased the density of synapses in contact with astrocytes, and improved cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Jing Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Shan-Shan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Laboratory Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Feng-Lei Chao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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Nicoletti A, Baschi R, Cicero CE, Iacono S, Re VL, Luca A, Schirò G, Monastero R. Sex and gender differences in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: a narrative review. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 212:111821. [PMID: 37127082 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), exhibit high phenotypic variability and they are very common in the general population. These diseases are associated with poor prognosis and a significant burden on patients and their caregivers. Although increasing evidence suggests that biological sex is an important factor for the development and phenotypical expression of some NDs, the role of sex and gender in the diagnosis and prognosis of NDs has been poorly explored. Current knowledge relating to sex- and gender-related differences in the epidemiology, clinical features, biomarkers, and treatment of AD, PD, and ALS will be summarized in this narrative review. The cumulative evidence hitherto collected suggests that sex and gender are factors to be considered in explaining the heterogeneity of these NDs. Clarifying the role of sex and gender in AD, PD, and ALS is a key topic in precision medicine, which will facilitate sex-specific prevention and treatment strategies to be implemented in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Nicoletti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Roberta Baschi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via La Loggia 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Edoardo Cicero
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Iacono
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via La Loggia 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzina Lo Re
- Neurology Service, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (IRCCS-ISMETT), Via Ernesto Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Women's Brain Project, Guntershausen, Switzerland
| | - Antonina Luca
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Schirò
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via La Loggia 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Monastero
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via La Loggia 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
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De Luca R, Bonanno M, Morini E, Marra A, Arcadi FA, Quartarone A, Calabrò RS. Sexual Dysfunctions in Females with Parkinson's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study with a Psycho-Endocrinological Perspective. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050845. [PMID: 37241076 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Normal human sexual functioning is a complex integration of an intact neuroanatomic substrate, vascular supply, a balanced hormonal profile, and a predominance of excitatory over inhibitory psychological mechanisms. However, sexual functioning in Parkinson's disease (PD) is often overlooked in clinical practice, especially in female patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we have investigated the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the possible correlation with psycho-endocrinological factors in a sample of women with idiopathic PD. Patients were assessed using a semi-structured sexual interview, in addition to psychometric tools, including the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and for Depression and the Coping Orientation to the Problems Experiences-New Italian Version. Specific blood tests, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen E2, prolactin (PRL), and vitamin D3 were also evaluated. Results: Our results reported a statistical difference in sexual intercourse frequency before and after the onset of PD (p < 0.001). The percentage of women who complained about reduced sexual desire increased after diagnosis (52.7%) compared to the period before the onset of the illness (36.8%). The endocrinological profile in females with PD revealed statistically significant differences regarding testosterone (p < 0.0006), estradiol (p < 0.00), vitamin D3 (p < 0.006), and calcium (0.002). Depression (44% characterized by perceived feelings of anger and frustration during sexual intercourse) and anxiety symptoms (29.5% reported feelings of fear and anxiety for not satisfying the partner) with abnormal coping strategies (48.14% experienced feelings of anger and intolerance) were also found to be statistically significant. This study showed a high frequency of sexual dysfunction in female patients with PD, which correlated with sexual hormone abnormalities, mood/anxiety, and coping strategies alterations. This supports the idea that there is a need to better investigate the sexual function of female patients with PD to provide them with an adequate therapeutic approach and potentially improve quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria De Luca
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Mirjam Bonanno
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Morini
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Marra
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonia Arcadi
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Angelo Quartarone
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
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Ye C, Behnke JA, Hardin KR, Zheng JQ. Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study age and sex differences in brain injury and neurodegeneration after mild head trauma. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1150694. [PMID: 37077318 PMCID: PMC10106652 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1150694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Repetitive physical insults to the head, including those that elicit mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), are a known risk factor for a variety of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Although most individuals who sustain mTBI typically achieve a seemingly full recovery within a few weeks, a subset experience delayed-onset symptoms later in life. As most mTBI research has focused on the acute phase of injury, there is an incomplete understanding of mechanisms related to the late-life emergence of neurodegeneration after early exposure to mild head trauma. The recent adoption of Drosophila-based brain injury models provides several unique advantages over existing preclinical animal models, including a tractable framework amenable to high-throughput assays and short relative lifespan conducive to lifelong mechanistic investigation. The use of flies also provides an opportunity to investigate important risk factors associated with neurodegenerative conditions, specifically age and sex. In this review, we survey current literature that examines age and sex as contributing factors to head trauma-mediated neurodegeneration in humans and preclinical models, including mammalian and Drosophila models. We discuss similarities and disparities between human and fly in aging, sex differences, and pathophysiology. Finally, we highlight Drosophila as an effective tool for investigating mechanisms underlying head trauma-induced neurodegeneration and for identifying therapeutic targets for treatment and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changtian Ye
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Joseph A. Behnke
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Katherine R. Hardin
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - James Q. Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Gamage HKAH, Robinson KJ, Luu L, Paulsen IT, Laird AS. Machado Joseph disease severity is linked with gut microbiota alterations in transgenic mice. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 179:106051. [PMID: 36822548 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests the presence of bidirectional interactions between the central nervous system and gut microbiota that may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the potential role of gut microbes in forms of spinocerebellar ataxia, such as the fatal neurodegenerative disease Machado Joseph disease (MJD), remains unexplored. Here, we examined whether gut microbiota alterations may be an early disease phenotype of MJD. We profiled the gut microbiota of male and female transgenic MJD mice (CMVMJD135) expressing human ATXN3 with expanded CAG repeats (133-143 CAG) at pre-symptomatic, symptomatic and well-established stages of the disease (7, 11 and 15 weeks of age, respectively). We compared these profiles with the gut microbiota of male and female wild-type (WT) littermate control mice at same ages. Correlation network analyses were employed to explore the relevance of microbiota changes to disease progression. The results demontrated distinct sex-dependent effects in disease development whereby male MJD mice displayed earlier motor impairments than female MJD mice. The gut microbiota community structure and composition also demonstrated sex-specific differences between MJD and WT mice. In both male and female MJD mice, the shifts in the microbiota were present by 7 weeks, before the onset of any symptoms. These pre-symptomatic microbial changes correlated with the severity of neurological impairments present at later stages of the disease. Previous efforts towards developing treatments for MJD have failed to yield meaningful outcomes. Our study reports a novel relationship between the gut microbiota and MJD development and severity. Elucidating how gut microbes are involved in MJD pathogenesis may offer new and efficacious treatment strategies for this currently untreatable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasinika K A H Gamage
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia; ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Katherine J Robinson
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Luan Luu
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ian T Paulsen
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia; ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia's Bioactives, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Angela S Laird
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.
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Cai W, Wakamatsu K, Zucca FA, Wang Q, Yang K, Mohamadzadehonarvar N, Srivastava P, Tanaka H, Holly G, Casella L, Ito S, Zecca L, Chen X. DOPA pheomelanin is increased in nigral neuromelanin of Parkinson's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 223:102414. [PMID: 36746222 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102414] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuromelanin (NM) in dopaminergic neurons of human substantia nigra (SN) has a melanic component that consists of pheomelanin and eumelanin moieties and has been proposed as a key factor contributing to dopaminergic neuron vulnerability in Parkinson's disease (PD). While eumelanin is considered as an antioxidant, pheomelanin and related oxidative stress are associated with compromised drug and metal ion binding and melanoma risk. Using postmortem SN from patients with PD or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and unaffected controls, we identified increased L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) pheomelanin and increased ratios of dopamine (DA) pheomelanin markers to DA in PD SN compared to controls. Eumelanins derived from both DOPA and DA were reduced in PD group. In addition, we report an increase in DOPA pheomelanin relative to DA pheomelanin in PD SN. In AD SN, we observed unaltered melanin markers despite reduced DOPA compared to controls. Furthermore, synthetic DOPA pheomelanin induced neuronal cell death in vitro while synthetic DOPA eumelanin showed no significant effect on cell viability. Our findings provide insights into the different roles of pheomelanin and eumelanin in PD pathophysiology. We anticipate our study will lead to further investigations on pheomelanin and eumelanin individually as biomarkers and possibly therapeutic targets for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waijiao Cai
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Kazumasa Wakamatsu
- Institute for Melanin Chemistry, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Fabio A Zucca
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, USA
| | - Kai Yang
- Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Niyaz Mohamadzadehonarvar
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, USA
| | - Pranay Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, USA
| | - Hitomi Tanaka
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Health Sciences, Gifu University of Medical Science, Seki, Japan
| | - Gabriel Holly
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Luigi Casella
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Shosuke Ito
- Institute for Melanin Chemistry, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Luigi Zecca
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Xiqun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, USA.
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48
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Bianco A, Antonacci Y, Liguori M. Sex and Gender Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Challenges for Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076354. [PMID: 37047320 PMCID: PMC10093984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The term “neurodegenerative diseases” (NDs) identifies a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive loss of selectively vulnerable populations of neurons, which progressively deteriorates over time, leading to neuronal dysfunction. Protein aggregation and neuronal loss have been considered the most characteristic hallmarks of NDs, but growing evidence confirms that significant dysregulation of innate immune pathways plays a crucial role as well. NDs vary from multiple sclerosis, in which the autoimmune inflammatory component is predominant, to more “classical” NDs, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinal muscular atrophy. Of interest, many of the clinical differences reported in NDs seem to be closely linked to sex, which may be justified by the significant changes in immune mechanisms between affected females and males. In this review, we examined some of the most studied NDs by looking at their pathogenic and phenotypical features to highlight sex-related discrepancies, if any, with particular interest in the individuals’ responses to treatment. We believe that pointing out these differences in clinical practice may help achieve more successful precision and personalized care.
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49
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Neuroprotective Effect of Vitamin D on Behavioral and Oxidative Parameters of Male and Female Adult Wistar Rats Exposed to Mancozeb (manganese/zinc ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate). Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3724-3740. [PMID: 36940076 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03298-8] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
The constant exposure of rural workers to pesticides is a serious public health problem. Mancozeb (MZ) is a pesticide linked to hormonal, behavioral, genetic, and neurodegenerative effects, mainly related to oxidative stress. Vitamin D is a promising molecule that acts as a protector against brain aging. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective role of vitamin D in adult male and female Wistar rats exposed to MZ. Animals received 40 mg/kg of MZ i.p. and 12.5 μg/kg or 25 μg/kg vitamin D by gavage, twice a week, for 6 weeks. The concentration of manganese had a significant increase in the hippocampus of both sexes and in the striatum of females, unlike zinc, which did not show a significant increase. MZ poisoning led to mitochondrial changes in brain tissues and promoted anxiogenic effects, especially in females. Alterations in antioxidant enzymes, mainly in the catalase activity were observed in intoxicated rats. Taken together, our results showed that exposure to MZ leads to the accumulation of manganese in brain tissues, and the behavior and metabolic/oxidative impairment were different between the sexes. Furthermore, the administration of Vitamin D was effective in preventing the damage caused by the pesticide.
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50
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Fung W, Tan TM, Kolotuev I, Heiman MG. A sex-specific switch in a single glial cell patterns the apical extracellular matrix. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.17.533199. [PMID: 36993293 PMCID: PMC10055199 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.17.533199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Apical extracellular matrix (aECM) constitutes the interface between every tissue and the outside world. It is patterned into diverse tissue-specific structures through unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that a male-specific genetic switch in a single C. elegans glial cell patterns the aECM into a ∼200 nm pore, allowing a male sensory neuron to access the environment. We find that this glial sex difference is controlled by factors shared with neurons ( mab-3, lep-2, lep-5 ) as well as previously unidentified regulators whose effects may be glia-specific ( nfya-1, bed-3, jmjd-3.1 ). The switch results in male-specific expression of a Hedgehog-related protein, GRL-18, that we discover localizes to transient nanoscale rings at sites of aECM pore formation. Blocking male-specific gene expression in glia prevents pore formation, whereas forcing male-specific expression induces an ectopic pore. Thus, a switch in gene expression in a single cell is necessary and sufficient to pattern aECM into a specific structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Fung
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Taralyn M. Tan
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Irina Kolotuev
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maxwell G. Heiman
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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