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Liu Q, Ding X, Wang Y, Chu H, Guan Y, Li M, Sun K. Artemisinin reduces PTSD-like symptoms, improves synaptic plasticity, and inhibits apoptosis in rats subjected to single prolonged stress. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1303123. [PMID: 38379899 PMCID: PMC10876839 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1303123] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by symptoms of panic and anxiety, depression, impaired cognitive functioning, and difficulty in social interactions. While the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine artemisinin (AR) on PTSD is unknown, its therapeutic benefits have been demonstrated by studies on models of multiple neurological disorders. This study aimed to extend such findings by investigating the effects of AR administration on a rat model of PTSD induced by a regimen of single prolonged stress (SPS). After rats were subjected to the SPS protocol, AR was administered and its impact on PTSD-like behaviors was evaluated. In the present study, rats were subjected to a multitude of behavioral tests to evaluate behaviors related to anxiety, memory function, and social interactions. The expression of hippocampal synaptic plasticity-related proteins was detected using Western blot and immunofluorescence. The ultrastructure of synapses was observed under transmission electron microscopy. The apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was examined with Western blot, TUNEL staining, and HE staining. The results showed that AR administration alleviated the PTSD-like phenotypes in SPS rats, including behavior indicative of anxiety, cognitive deficits, and diminished sociability. AR administration was further observed to improve synaptic plasticity and inhibit neuronal apoptosis in SPS rats. These findings suggest that administering AR after the onset of severe traumatic events may alleviate anxiety, cognitive deficits, and impaired social interaction, improve synaptic plasticity, and diminish neuronal apoptosis. Hence, the present study provides evidence for AR's potential as a multi-target agent in the treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kuisheng Sun
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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Arzate-Mejia RG, Carullo NVN, Mansuy IM. The epigenome under pressure: On regulatory adaptation to chronic stress in the brain. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 84:102832. [PMID: 38141414 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress (CS) can have long-lasting consequences on behavior and cognition, that are associated with stable changes in gene expression in the brain. Recent work has examined the role of the epigenome in the effects of CS on the brain. This review summarizes experimental evidence in rodents showing that CS can alter the epigenome and the expression of epigenetic modifiers in brain cells, and critically assesses their functional effect on genome function. It discusses the influence of the developmental time of stress exposure on the type of epigenetic changes, and proposes new lines of research that can help clarify these changes and their causal involvement in the impact of CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo G Arzate-Mejia
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/RodrigoArzt
| | - Nancy V N Carullo
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/DrNancyCarullo
| | - Isabelle M Mansuy
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland.
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Maffioli E, Nonnis S, Grassi Scalvini F, Negri A, Tedeschi G, Toni M. The Neurotoxic Effect of Environmental Temperature Variation in Adult Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15735. [PMID: 37958719 PMCID: PMC10648238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115735] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotoxicity consists of the altered functionality of the nervous system caused by exposure to chemical agents or altered chemical-physical parameters. The neurotoxic effect can be evaluated from the molecular to the behavioural level. The zebrafish Danio rerio is a model organism used in many research fields, including ecotoxicology and neurotoxicology. Recent studies by our research group have demonstrated that the exposure of adult zebrafish to low (18 °C) or high (34 °C) temperatures alters their brain proteome and fish behaviour compared to control (26 °C). These results showed that thermal variation alters the functionality of the nervous system, suggesting a temperature-induced neurotoxic effect. To demonstrate that temperature variation can be counted among the factors that generate neurotoxicity, eight different protein datasets, previously published by our research group, were subjected to new analyses using an integrated proteomic approach by means of the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software (Release December 2022). The datasets consist of brain proteome analyses of wild type adult zebrafish kept at three different temperatures (18 °C, 26 °C, and 34 °C) for 4 days (acute) or 21 days (chronic treatment), and of BDNF+/- and BDNF-/- zebrafish kept at 26 °C or 34 °C for 21 days. The results (a) demonstrate that thermal alterations generate an effect that can be defined as neurotoxic (p value ≤ 0.05, activation Z score ≤ -2 or ≥2), (b) identify 16 proteins that can be used as hallmarks of the neurotoxic processes common to all the treatments applied and (c) provide three protein panels (p value ≤ 0.05) related to 18 °C, 34 °C, and BDNF depletion that can be linked to anxiety-like or boldness behaviour upon these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Maffioli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Simona Nonnis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.)
- CRC “Innovation for Well-Being and Environment” (I-WE), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Grassi Scalvini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Armando Negri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.)
| | - Gabriella Tedeschi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.)
- CRC “Innovation for Well-Being and Environment” (I-WE), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Mattia Toni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, Via Alfonso Borrelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy
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EKMEKCİ HS, MUFTAREVİÇ S. Epigenetic Effects of Social Stress and Epigenetic Inheritance. PSIKIYATRIDE GUNCEL YAKLASIMLAR - CURRENT APPROACHES IN PSYCHIATRY 2023. [DOI: 10.18863/pgy.1059315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Social events that cause stress can cause epigenetic changes on living things. The study of the effects of social events experienced by an individual on epigenetic marks on the genome has created the field of social epigenetics. Social epigenetics examines the effects of psychosocial stress factors such as poverty, war trauma and childhood abuse on epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic mechanisms alter chemical markers in the genome structure without changing the DNA sequence. Among these mechanisms, DNA methylation in particular may have different phenotypic effects in response to stressors that may occur in the psychosocial environment. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most significant proofs of the effects of epigenetic expressions altered due to traumatic events on the phenotype. The field of epigenetic inheritance has shown that epigenetic changes triggered by environmental influences can, in some cases, be transmitted through generations. This field provides a better understanding of the basis of many psychological disorders. This review provides an overview of social epigenetics, PTSD, and epigenetic inheritance.
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Campos-Cardoso R, Novaes LS, Godoy LD, Dos Santos NB, Perfetto JG, Lazarini-Lopes W, Garcia-Cairasco N, Padovan CM, Munhoz CD. The resilience of adolescent male rats to acute stress-induced delayed anxiety is age-related and glucocorticoid release-dependent. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109385. [PMID: 36603798 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109385] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies investigated how stressful experiences modulate physiological and behavioral responses and the consequences of stress-induced corticosterone release in anxiety-like behavior. Adolescence is crucial to brain maturation, and several neurobiological changes in this period lead individuals to increased susceptibility or resilience to aversive situations. Despite the effects of stress in adults, information about adolescents' responses to acute stress is lacking. We aimed to understand how adolescence affects acute stress responses. Male adolescent rats (30 days old) were 2 h restrained, and anxiety-like behaviors were measured immediately or 10 days after stress in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the light-dark box (LDB) tests. To verify the importance of CORT modulation in stress-induced anxiety, another group of rats was treated, 30 min before restraint, with metyrapone to blunt the stress-induced CORT peak and tested immediately after stress. To show that stress effects on behavior were age-dependent, another set of rats was tested in two different periods - early adolescence (30 days old) and mid-adolescence (40 days old) and were treated or not with metyrapone before the stress session and tested immediately or ten days later in the LDB test. Only early adolescent male rats were resilient to delayed anxiety-like behavior in EPM and LDB tests. Metyrapone treatment increased the rats' exploration immediately and ten days after stress. These data suggest a specific age at which adolescent rats are resilient to the delayed effects of acute restraint stress and that the metyrapone treatment has long-term behavioral consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Campos-Cardoso
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Brazil; Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Santana Novaes
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Brazil
| | - Lívea Dornela Godoy
- Department of Physiology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Juliano Genaro Perfetto
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Brazil
| | - Willian Lazarini-Lopes
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Physiology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Maria Padovan
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Brazil.
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Si L, Xiao L, Xie Y, Xu H, Yuan G, Xu W, Wang G. Social isolation after chronic unpredictable mild stress perpetuates depressive-like behaviors, memory deficits and social withdrawal via inhibiting ERK/KEAP1/NRF2 signaling. J Affect Disord 2023; 324:576-588. [PMID: 36584714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social withdrawal in patients with depression can aggravate depressive symptoms. However, few studies focus on the behavioral changes of social isolation after CUMS. NRF2 had been reported to be down-regulated after CUMS. But whether NRF2 participates in behavioral changes induced by social isolation after CUMS remains unclear. This study aims to develop a new model combined social isolation with CUMS, and investigate whether such behavioral changes are related to NRF2 signaling. METHODS This study included two stages. In Stage 1, rats were subjected to 4-week CUMS and CUMS-susceptible rats were selected. In Stage 2, the CUMS-susceptible rats received 4-week social isolation or social support. Behavioral tests were carried out to observe behavioral changes, including sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, open field test, novel object recognition and social interaction test. QRT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence staining detected the ERK/KEAP1/NRF2 signaling. RESULTS CUMS-susceptible rats exhibited depressive-like behaviors accompanied by the down-regulated ERK/KEAP1/NRF2 signaling in hippocampus. In Stage 2, compared with 4-week social support (group CUMSG), 4-week social isolation (group CUMSI) perpetuated the depressive-like behaviors, memory deficits and social withdrawal in CUMS-susceptible rats, as well as lower levels of p-ERK, NRF2, p-NRF2, HO-1 and NQO1, and the higher levels of KEAP1 in hippocampus. CONCLUSION These findings suggested that social isolation after CUMS perpetuated depressive-like behaviors, memory deficits and social withdrawal via inhibiting ERK/KEAP1/NRF2 signaling. This study provided molecular evidence for the effects of post-stress social isolation on mental health, and the antioxidant stress signaling might be a target to rescue these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujia Si
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ling Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinping Xie
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohao Yuan
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqian Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Gaohua Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China; Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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Cutuli D, Sampedro-Piquero P. BDNF and its Role in the Alcohol Abuse Initiated During Early Adolescence: Evidence from Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:2202-2220. [PMID: 35748555 PMCID: PMC9886842 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220624111855] [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: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial brain signaling protein that is integral to many signaling pathways. This neurotrophin has shown to be highly involved in brain plastic processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, and neurotransmission, among others. In the first part of this review, we revise the role of BDNF in different neuroplastic processes within the central nervous system. On the other hand, its deficiency in key neural circuits is associated with the development of psychiatric disorders, including alcohol abuse disorder. Many people begin to drink alcohol during adolescence, and it seems that changes in BDNF are evident after the adolescent regularly consumes alcohol. Therefore, the second part of this manuscript addresses the involvement of BDNF during adolescent brain maturation and how this process can be negatively affected by alcohol abuse. Finally, we propose different BNDF enhancers, both behavioral and pharmacological, which should be considered in the treatment of problematic alcohol consumption initiated during the adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Cutuli
- Department of Psychology, Medicine and Psychology Faculty, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy; ,I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione Santa Lucia, Laboratorio di Neurofisiologia Sperimentale e del Comportamento, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Roma, Italy; ,Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Biological and Health Psychology, Psychology Faculty, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain, Spain and Cutuli, D. at Fondazione Santa Lucia. Laboratorio di Neurofisiologia Sperimentale e del Comportamento. Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Roma, Italy; E-mails: ;
| | - Piquero Sampedro-Piquero
- Department of Biological and Health Psychology, Psychology Faculty, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Biological and Health Psychology, Psychology Faculty, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain, Spain and Cutuli, D. at Fondazione Santa Lucia. Laboratorio di Neurofisiologia Sperimentale e del Comportamento. Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Roma, Italy; E-mails: ;
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Noushad S, Ansari B, Ahmed S. Effect of nature-based physical activity on post-traumatic growth among healthcare providers with post-traumatic stress. Stress Health 2022; 38:813-826. [PMID: 35191173 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this randomized control trial was to observe the effect of nature-based physical activity in achieving post traumatic growth and to estimate the combined effect of nature and physical activity on the psychophysiological outcomes. A 3-month therapy was provided to participants meeting eligibility criteria to receive the walk-in nature (experimental group) or sit-in nature (control group) in the 1:1 ratio. At baseline and 3-month follow-up, participants were assessed with Trauma Symptom Checklist 40, Traumatic Stress Scale, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Cortisol, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) and heart rate variability. There was a significant effect of nature-based physical activity on traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth in comparison with the sit-in control. A significant post-interventional difference was observed in the mean PTGI score [F = 5.412, p = 0.022] between the experimental and control groups after 3 months of intervention. All the biochemical estimates, including CRP, BDNF, IL-6, and cortisol levels, were significantly altered in both post-intervention study groups (p < 0.01). Taken together, these results show that nature-based physical activity significantly improves psychophysiological outcomes induced as a result of post-traumatic growth and also reduces traumatic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamoon Noushad
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.,Department of Physiology, Psychophysiology Research Lab, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Basit Ansari
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sadaf Ahmed
- Department of Physiology, Psychophysiology Research Lab, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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PRG-1 prevents neonatal stimuli-induced persistent hyperalgesia and memory dysfunction via NSF/Glu/GluR2 signaling. iScience 2022; 25:104989. [PMID: 36093041 PMCID: PMC9460187 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal repetitive noxious stimuli (RNS) has been shown to cause long-term harmful effects on nociceptive processing, learning, and memory which persist until adulthood. Plasticity-related gene 1 (PRG-1) regulates synaptic plasticity and functional reorganization in the brain during neuronal development. In this study, neonatal RNS rats were established by repetitive needle pricks to neonatal rats on all four feet to model repetitive pain exposure in infants. Neonatal RNS caused thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, learning, and memory impairments which manifested in young rats and persisted until adulthood. Hippocampal PRG-1/N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein (NSF) interaction was determined to be responsible for the RNS-induced impairment via enhanced extracellular glutamate release and AMPAR GluR2 trafficking deficiency in a cell-autonomous manner. These pathways likely act synergistically to cause changes in dendritic spine density. Our findings suggest that PRG-1 prevents the RNS-induced hyperalgesia, learning, and memory impairment by regulating synaptic plasticity via NSF/Glu/GluR2 signaling. Neonatal RNS induced hyperalgesia, learning, and memory impairment until adulthood. PRG-1 attenuated RNS-induced impairments by dendritic spine regulation. PRG-1 prevents RNS-induced impairments via NSF/Glu/GluR2 signaling.
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Park J, Lee K, Kim K, Yi SJ. The role of histone modifications: from neurodevelopment to neurodiseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:217. [PMID: 35794091 PMCID: PMC9259618 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA expression, play critical roles in cell differentiation and organ development through spatial and temporal gene regulation. Neurogenesis is a sophisticated and complex process by which neural stem cells differentiate into specialized brain cell types at specific times and regions of the brain. A growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modifications, allow the fine-tuning and coordination of spatiotemporal gene expressions during neurogenesis. Aberrant histone modifications contribute to the development of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Herein, recent progress in understanding histone modifications in regulating embryonic and adult neurogenesis is comprehensively reviewed. The histone modifications implicated in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases are also covered, and future directions in this area are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisu Park
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyubin Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghwan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sun-Ju Yi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
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Maffioli E, Angiulli E, Nonnis S, Grassi Scalvini F, Negri A, Tedeschi G, Arisi I, Frabetti F, D’Aniello S, Alleva E, Cioni C, Toni M. Brain Proteome and Behavioural Analysis in Wild Type, BDNF +/- and BDNF -/- Adult Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Exposed to Two Different Temperatures. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105606. [PMID: 35628418 PMCID: PMC9146406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental evidence suggests that environmental stress conditions can alter the expression of BDNF and that the expression of this neurotrophin influences behavioural responses in mammalian models. It has been recently demonstrated that exposure to 34 °C for 21 days alters the brain proteome and behaviour in zebrafish. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of BDNF in the nervous system of adult zebrafish under control and heat treatment conditions. For this purpose, zebrafish from three different genotypes (wild type, heterozygous BDNF+/- and knock out BDNF-/-) were kept for 21 days at 26 °C or 34 °C and then euthanized for brain molecular analyses or subjected to behavioural tests (Y-maze test, novel tank test, light and dark test, social preference test, mirror biting test) for assessing behavioural aspects such as boldness, anxiety, social preference, aggressive behaviour, interest for the novel environment and exploration. qRT-PCR analysis showed the reduction of gene expression of BDNF and its receptors after heat treatment in wild type zebrafish. Moreover, proteomic analysis and behavioural tests showed genotype- and temperature-dependent effects on brain proteome and behavioural responding. Overall, the absent expression of BDNF in KO alters (1) the brain proteome by reducing the expression of proteins involved in synapse functioning and neurotransmitter-mediated transduction; (2) the behaviour, which can be interpreted as bolder and less anxious and (3) the cellular and behavioural response to thermal treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Maffioli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.); (G.T.)
| | - Elisa Angiulli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, Via Alfonso Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Simona Nonnis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.); (G.T.)
- CRC I-WE (Coordinating Research Centre: Innovation for Well-Being and Environment), University of Milan, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Grassi Scalvini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.); (G.T.)
| | - Armando Negri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.); (G.T.)
| | - Gabriella Tedeschi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (E.M.); (S.N.); (F.G.S.); (A.N.); (G.T.)
- CRC I-WE (Coordinating Research Centre: Innovation for Well-Being and Environment), University of Milan, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Ivan Arisi
- Bioinformatics Facility, European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Frabetti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Salvatore D’Aniello
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Enrico Alleva
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Cioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, Via Alfonso Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Mattia Toni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, Via Alfonso Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Wang H, Liu H, Zhao X, Chen X. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U-actin complex derived from extracellular vesicles facilitates proliferation and migration of human coronary artery endothelial cells by promoting RNA polymerase II transcription. Bioengineered 2022; 13:11469-11486. [PMID: 35535400 PMCID: PMC9276035 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2066754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) represents a fatal public threat. The involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in CAD has been documented. This study explored the regulation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs)-derived EVs-hnRNPU-actin complex in human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) growth. Firstly, in vitro HCAEC hypoxia models were established. EVs were extracted from ESCs by ultracentrifugation. HCAECs were treated with EVs and si-VEGF for 24 h under hypoxia, followed by assessment of cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and tube formation. Uptake of EVs by HCAECs was testified. Additionally, hnRNPU, VEGF, and RNA Pol II levels were determined using Western blotting and CHIP assays. Interaction between hnRNPU and actin was evaluated by Co-immunoprecipitation assay. HCAEC viability and proliferation were lowered, apoptosis was enhanced, wound fusion was decreased, and the number of tubular capillary structures was reduced under hypoxia, whereas ESC-EVs treatment counteracted these effects. Moreover, EVs transferred hnRNPU into HCAECs. EVs-hnRNPU-actin complex increased RNA Pol II level on the VEGF gene promoter and promoted VEGF expression in HCAECs. Inhibition of hnRNPU or VEGF both annulled the promotion of EVs on HCAEC growth. Collectively, ESC-EVs-hnRNPU-actin increased RNA Pol II phosphorylation and VEGF expression, thus promoting HCAEC growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Hengdao Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Xi Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
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Duan S, Li C, Gao Y, Meng P, Ji S, Xu Y, Mao Y, Wang H, Tian J. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor LPM4870108 impairs learning and memory and induces transcriptomic and gene‑specific DNA methylation changes in rats. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:845-857. [PMID: 35098321 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which have been developed and approved for cancer treatment in the last few years, are involved in synaptic plasticity of learning and memory. Epigenetic modifications also play crucial roles in the process of learning and memory, but its relationship with TKI-induced learning and memory impairment has not been investigated. We hypothesized that LPM4870108, an effective anti-cancer Trk inhibitor, might affect the learning and memory via epigenetic modifications. In this study, rats were orally administered with LPM4870108 (0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/kg) twice daily for 28 days, after which animals were subjected to a Morris water maze test. LPM4870108 exposure caused learning and memory impairments in this test in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the spine densities. Whole-genome transcriptomic analysis revealed significant differences in the patterns of hippocampal gene expression in LPM4870108-treated rats. These transcriptomic data were combined with next-generation bisulfite sequencing analysis, after which RT-PCR and pyrosequencing were conducted, revealing epigenetic alterations associated with genes (Snx8, Fgfr1, Dusp4, Vav2, and Satb2) known to regulate learning and memory. Increased mRNA and protein expression levels of hippocampal Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a were also observed in these rats. Overall, these data suggest that gene-specific alterations in patterns of DNA methylation can potentially contribute to the incidence of learning and memory deficits associated with exposure to LPM4870108.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijin Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunmei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonglin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Long-Acting Targeting Drug Delivery Technologies (Luye Pharma Group Ltd.), Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengmin Ji
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Yutong Mao
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwei Tian
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Long-Acting Targeting Drug Delivery Technologies (Luye Pharma Group Ltd.), Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Sottile RJ, Vida T. A proposed mechanism for the MDMA-mediated extinction of traumatic memories in PTSD patients treated with MDMA-assisted therapy. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:991753. [PMID: 36311515 PMCID: PMC9596814 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.991753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating psychiatric disorder afflicting millions of people around the world. Characterized by severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, pervasive nightmares, an assortment of somatic symptoms, associations with severe long-term health problems, and an elevated risk of suicide, as much as 40-70% of patients suffer from refractory disease. 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), like classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, have been used to enhance the efficacy of psychotherapy almost since their discovery, but due to their perceived potential for abuse and inclusion on USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) schedule 1, research into the mechanism by which they produce improvements in PTSD symptomology has been limited. Nevertheless, several compelling rationales have been explored, with the pro-social effects of MDMA thought to enhance therapeutic alliance and thus facilitate therapist-assisted trauma processing. This may be insufficient to fully explain the efficacy of MDMA in the treatment of psychiatric illness. Molecular mechanisms such as the MDMA mediated increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) availability in the fear memory learning pathways combined with MDMA's pro-social effects may provide a more nuanced explanation for the therapeutic actions of MDMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Sottile
- Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Thomas Vida
- Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
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15
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Zhao M, Zhu Z, Li H, Wang W, Cheng S, Qin X, Wu H, Liu D, Pan F. Effects of traumatic stress in adolescence on PTSD-like behaviors, dendrite development, and H3K9me2/BDNF expression in the amygdala of male rats. J Affect Disord 2022; 296:388-399. [PMID: 34619155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Early detrimental experiences increase the risk of psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a previous experiment, we demonstrated that traumatic stress in adolescence triggers changes in the expression of the epigenetic marker H3K9me2 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of adolescent and adult rats, which suppresses transcription of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene that promotes dendrite development and synaptic growth. However, corresponding changes in the amygdala in response to traumatic stress in early life have not yet been fully elucidated. In the current study, we used the inescapable foot shock (IFS) procedure to establish a PTSD model. Half an hour after the end of electric shocks, intraperitoneal injection of the G9a enzyme inhibitor Unc0642, a small molecule inhibitor of EHMT2 that can decrease H3K9me2 expression, was applied to reverse the corresponding epigenetic changes. Exploratory behaviors, anxiety-like behavior, social communication ability, spatial exploration and memory were determined using the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, three-chamber sociability test (SIT), Morris water maze (MWM) test, and Y maze test (YMZ), respectively. Additionally, the levels of H3K9me2 and BDNF were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting. Furthermore, neuronal development was examined using Golgi staining. The results showed that the IFS procedure induced anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors, social skills dysfunction, and spatial exploration and memory disorders. It also decreased the mRNA expression of BDNF and BDNF and increased the expression of H3K9me2 in the amygdala. More importantly, compared to unstressed animals, traumatic stress during adolescence induced dendrite maldevelopment in adolescent and adult rats. In summary, the present study indicates that early-life stress alters the epigenetic marker expression of H3K9me2 and decreases levels of BDNF in the amygdala, resulting in dendrite maldevelopment and a higher risk of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Zhao
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Zemeng Zhu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Haonan Li
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Shuyue Cheng
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Xiaqing Qin
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Huiran Wu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Dexiang Liu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Fang Pan
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China.
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16
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Dion A, Muñoz PT, Franklin TB. Epigenetic mechanisms impacted by chronic stress across the rodent lifespan. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 17:100434. [PMID: 35198660 PMCID: PMC8841894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposures to stress at all stages of development can lead to long-term behavioural effects, in part through changes in the epigenome. This review describes rodent research suggesting that stress in prenatal, postnatal, adolescent and adult stages leads to long-term changes in epigenetic regulation in the brain which have causal impacts on rodent behaviour. We focus on stress-induced epigenetic changes that have been linked to behavioural deficits including poor learning and memory, and increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviours. Interestingly, aspects of these stress-induced behavioural changes can be transmitted to offspring across several generations, a phenomenon that has been proposed to result via epigenetic mechanisms in the germline. Here, we also discuss evidence for the differential impact of stress on the epigenome in males and females, conscious of the fact that the majority of published studies have only investigated males. This has led to a limited picture of the epigenetic impact of stress, highlighting the need for future studies to investigate females as well as males.
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17
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Shan W, Wu Y, Han X, Chen Q, Wu J. The mechanism of sevoflurane post-treatment alleviating hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy by affecting histone methyltransferase G9a in rats. Bioengineered 2021; 12:9790-9805. [PMID: 34672892 PMCID: PMC8810117 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1995105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is recognized as the main cause of neonatal death, and efficient treatment strategies remain limited. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of sevoflurane (SF) post-treatment in alleviating HIE in rats. The HIE rat model and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model were established, and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EHMT2 (G9a) was transfected after SF treatment. The learning and memory ability and the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated and determined. The levels of G9a/histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) and the enrichment level of H3K9me2 in the promoter region of BDNF gene were analyzed. After SF post-treatment, the neurons in cerebral cortex, the learning and memory skills and the contents of NGF/BDNF were increased, while the apoptosis and G9a/H3K9me2 levels were reduced. After overexpression of G9a in vitro/vivo, the enrichment levels of H3K9me2 in the promoter region of BDNF were increased, the levels of BDNF were decreased, the neurons were damaged and the learning and memory abilities of HIE rats were impaired. The conclusion is that SF post-treatment can promote the expression of BDNF by inhibiting H3K9me2 on the BDNF gene promoter and inhibiting G9a, thus alleviating HIE in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Shan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, China
| | - Yini Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, China
| | - Xin Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, China
| | - Jimin Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, China
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18
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Liu X, Xie Z, Li S, He J, Cao S, Xiao Z. PRG-1 relieves pain and depressive-like behaviors in rats of bone cancer pain by regulation of dendritic spine in hippocampus. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4005-4020. [PMID: 34671215 PMCID: PMC8495398 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.59032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Pain and depression, which tend to occur simultaneously and share some common neural circuits and neurotransmitters, are highly prevalent complication in patients with advanced cancer. Exploring the underlying mechanisms is the cornerstone to prevent the comorbidity of chronic pain and depression in cancer patients. Plasticity-related gene 1 (PRG-1) protein regulates synaptic plasticity and brain functional reorganization during neuronal development or after cerebral lesion. Purinergic P2X7 receptor has been proposed as a therapeutic target for various pain and neurological disorders like depression in rodents. In this study, we investigated the roles of PRG-1 in the hippocampus in the comorbidity of pain and depressive-like behaviors in rats with bone cancer pain (BCP). Methods: The bone cancer pain rat model was established by intra-tibial cell inoculation of SHZ-88 mammary gland carcinoma cells. The animal pain behaviors were assessed by measuring the thermal withdrawal latency values by using radiant heat stimulation and mechanical withdrawal threshold by using electronic von Frey anesthesiometer, and depressive-like behavior was assessed by sucrose preference test and forced swim test. Alterations in the expression levels of PRG-1 and P2X7 receptor in hippocampus were separately detected by using western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry analysis. The effects of intra-hippocampal injection of FTY720 (a PRG-1/PP2A interaction activator), PRG-1 overexpression or intra-hippocampal injection of A438079 (a selective competitive P2X7 receptor antagonist) were also observed. Results: Carcinoma intra-tibia injection caused thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and depressive-like behaviors in rats, and also induced the deactivation of neurons and dendritic spine structural anomalies in the hippocampus. Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry analysis showed an increased expression of PRG-1 and P2X7 receptor in the hippocampus of BCP rats. Intra-hippocampal injection of FTY720 or A438079 attenuated both pain and depressive-like behaviors. Furthermore, overexpression of PRG-1 in hippocampus has similar analgesic efficacy to FTY720. In addition, they rescued neuron deactivation and dendritic spine anomalies. Conclusion: The results suggest that both PRG-1 and P2X7 receptor in the hippocampus play important roles in the development of pain and depressive-like behaviors in bone cancer condition in rats by dendritic spine regulation via P2X7R/PRG-1/PP2A pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfeng Liu
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.,Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Zhuo Xie
- Graduate School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Site Li
- Graduate School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Jingxin He
- Graduate School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Song Cao
- Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Zhi Xiao
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.,Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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19
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Jiang Z, Zhu Z, Zhao M, Wang W, Li H, Liu D, Pan F. H3K9me2 regulation of BDNF expression in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex is involved in the depressive-like phenotype induced by maternal separation in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2801-2813. [PMID: 34328517 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05896-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life stress (ELS) induces a depressive-like phenotype and increases the risk of depression. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been confirmed to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. However, the mechanism by which ELS alters the epigenetic regulation of BDNF and changes susceptibility to depression has not been fully clarified. METHODS The present study used maternal separation (MS) and chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) to establish an MS animal model and a depressive animal model. We assessed depressive-like behaviours, including anhedonia, locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviour, and spatial memory, using the sucrose preference test, the open field test, the elevated plus maze test, and the Morris water maze test. We also investigated BDNF and H3K9me2 expression in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and qPCR analysis. Additionally, we used Unc0642, a small molecule inhibitor of histone methyltransferase (G9a), as an intervention. RESULTS The results showed that CUMS induced depressive-like behaviours in rats and resulted in increased H3K9me2 expression and decreased BDNF expression in the hippocampus and mPFC. More importantly, adult MS rats experiencing CUMS had more severe depressive behaviours, had higher expression of H3K9me2 in the hippocampus and mPFC, and had lower expression of BDNF in the hippocampus and mPFC. In addition, administration of the G9a inhibitor reversed most of the changes. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that ELS changed BDNF and H3K9me2 expression in the rat brain, resulting in a depressive-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Jiang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zemeng Zhu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyue Zhao
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haonan Li
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Dexiang Liu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Pan
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Wang W, Wang R, Jiang Z, Li H, Zhu Z, Khalid A, Liu D, Pan F. Inhibiting Brd4 alleviated PTSD-like behaviors and fear memory through regulating immediate early genes expression and neuroinflammation in rats. J Neurochem 2021; 158:912-927. [PMID: 34050937 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by depression/anxiety and memory failure, primarily fear memory. According to the reports, neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity can play a role in the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying PTSD. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (Brd4) intriguingly affects regulating of inflammatory responses and learning and memory. This study aimed to explore the effect of inhibiting Brd4 on depression/anxiety-like behaviors, spatial and fear memory, and underlying mechanisms in a model of PTSD. Inescapable foot shocks (IFS) with a sound reminder in 6 days were used to induce PTSD-like behaviors which were tested using contextual and cue fear tests, sucrose preference test, open-field test, elevated plus maze test, and Y-maze test. Meanwhile, the Brd4 inhibitor JQ1 was used as an intervention. The results found that IFS induced PTSD-like behaviors and indicated obvious Brd4 expression in microglia of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and amygdala, pro-inflammatory cytokines over-expression, microglial activation, and nuclear factor-kappa B over-expression in PFC and hippocampus but not in amygdala. Meanwhile, the alterations of immediate early genes (IEGs) were found in PFC, hippocampus, and amygdala. Besides, dendritic spine density was reduced in PFC and hippocampus but was elevated in amygdala of rats with IFS. In addition, treatment with JQ1 significantly reduced freezing time in the contextual and cue fear test, reversed the behavioral impairment, decreased the elevated neuroinflammation, and normalized the alteration in IEGs and dendritic spine densities. The results suggested that Brd4 was involved in IFS-induced PTSD-like behaviors through regulating neuroinflammation, dynamics of IEGs, and synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Zhijun Jiang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Haonan Li
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Zemeng Zhu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Arslan Khalid
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Dexiang Liu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Fang Pan
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Medicine Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
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21
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Zhang X, Zhao Y, Du Y, Sun H, Zhang W, Wang A, Li Q, Li C, Wang Y, Du Z, Sun H, Sun L. Effect of ketamine on mood dysfunction and spatial cognition deficits in PTSD mouse models via HCN1-BDNF signaling. J Affect Disord 2021; 286:248-258. [PMID: 33752039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disease with high morbidity and major social and economic relevance. No efficient treatment for PTSD has thus far been identified. Clinical research has shown that ketamine can rapidly alleviate symptoms in patients with chronic PTSD; however, its pharmacological mechanism has yet to be determined. METHODS This study aimed to identify a model of single prolonged stress (SPS), which induced PTSD-like features in adult mice. Once the model was established, stress-related behavioral changes in the mouse model were evaluated after intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (10 mg/kg). Alterations in certain proteins (HCN1, BDNF, and PSD95) and synaptic ultrastructure in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIP) were measured. RESULTS The mice under the SPS model exhibited anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and induced spatial cognitive deficits, accompanied by elevated HCN1 protein expression in the PFC and HIP, reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and PSD95 proteins, and alterations in synaptic morphology. After ketamine administration, the SPS-treated mice restored their protein levels and synaptic ultrastructure in the PFC, and their PTSD-like behaviors improved. However, learning and memory in the SPS-treated mice did not improve in the water maze test, and no significant changes in protein level and synaptic ultrastructure in the HIP were shown. LIMITATIONS The electrophysiological mechanism of the HCN1 ion channel after ketamine administration was not explored. CONCLUSION Ketamine could generally improve SPS-induced mood dysfunction in mice but exerted no effect on the spatial cognitive function, which could be related to the alterations in synaptic morphology and function mediated by HCN1-related BDNF signaling in the PFC and HIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqiang Zhang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Student affairs office, Silicon Lake College, 168 Greenland Avenue, Huaqiao International Business Zone, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215332, China
| | - Yalin Du
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Haoran Sun
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Wenlei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Aihong Wang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province 261031, P. R. China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Centre for Reproduction Growth and Development, University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Changjiang Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Yanyu Wang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Zhongde Du
- Department of Neurology, Sunshine Union Hospital, 9000# Yingqian Street, Weifang, Shandong 261000, China
| | - Hongwei Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Lin Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China.
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22
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Nedic Erjavec G, Nikolac Perkovic M, Tudor L, Uzun S, Kovacic Petrovic Z, Konjevod M, Sagud M, Kozumplik O, Svob Strac D, Peraica T, Mimica N, Havelka Mestrovic A, Zilic D, Pivac N. Moderating Effects of BDNF Genetic Variants and Smoking on Cognition in PTSD Veterans. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11050641. [PMID: 33926045 PMCID: PMC8146493 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently associated with cognitive disturbances and high prevalence of smoking. This study evaluated cognition in war veterans with PTSD and control subjects, controlled for the effect of smoking and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rs6265 and rs56164415 genotypes/alleles. Study included 643 male war veterans with combat related PTSD and 120 healthy controls. Genotyping was done by real time PCR. Cognitive disturbances were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) cognition subscale and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) test scores. Diagnosis (p < 0.001), BDNF rs56164415 (p = 0.011) and smoking (p = 0.028) were significant predictors of the cognitive decline in subjects with PTSD. BDNF rs56164415 T alleles were more frequently found in subjects with PTSD, smokers and non-smokers, with impaired cognition, i.e., with the higher PANSS cognition subscale scores and with the lower ROCF immediate recall test scores. Presence of one or two BDNF rs56164415 T alleles was related to cognitive decline in PTSD. The T allele carriers with PTSD had advanced cognitive deterioration in smokers and nonsmokers with PTSD, and worse short-term visual memory function. Our findings emphasize the role of the BDNF rs56164415 T allele and smoking in cognitive dysfunction in war veterans with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Lucija Tudor
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Suzana Uzun
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.U.); (Z.K.P.); (O.K.); (N.M.)
- School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Zrnka Kovacic Petrovic
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.U.); (Z.K.P.); (O.K.); (N.M.)
- School of Medicine, The University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marcela Konjevod
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Marina Sagud
- School of Medicine, The University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Oliver Kozumplik
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.U.); (Z.K.P.); (O.K.); (N.M.)
- School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Tina Peraica
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Dubrava, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ninoslav Mimica
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.U.); (Z.K.P.); (O.K.); (N.M.)
- School of Medicine, The University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | | | | | - Nela Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-145-712-07
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23
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Behavioral changes and brain epigenetic alterations induced by maternal deficiencies of B vitamins in a mouse model. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1213-1222. [PMID: 33496816 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05766-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE B vitamins play essential roles in brain development and functionality; however, the effects of their deficiency during early life on mental health are not thoroughly understood. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of a maternal deficiency of vitamin B6, B9 (folate), and B12 on behavioral changes in adult offspring. METHODS Female C57BL/6 J mice were put on a diet lacking vitamin B6, B9, B12, or the above three vitamins from pregnancy to weaning. The growth and developmental characteristics of both the pregnant mothers and offspring were collected. In the adult offspring, the serum levels of neuroactive substances were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The level of BDNF and dimethylated lysine 9 on histone H3 (H3K9me2) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, their depressive-like behaviors, anxiety-like behaviors, and sociability were recorded using sucrose preference, a forced swim, social interaction, tail suspension, and open field tests. RESULTS The maternal deficiency of the three B vitamins delayed offspring development. Compared to the controls, all of the groups showed decreased serum levels of 5-HT and neuropeptide Y. In the groups with deficiency of B9 or the three B vitamins, there were significant changes in sociability and social novelty preference. In groups with deficiencies in B9, B12, or all three B vitamins, the expression levels of BDNF and H3K9me2 in the hippocampus were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS Maternal deficiencies of the major B vitamins caused changes in social behaviors in adult mice accompanied with epigenetic alterations in the brain and changes in the serum levels of neuroactive substances.
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24
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Torrisi SA, Lavanco G, Maurel OM, Gulisano W, Laudani S, Geraci F, Grasso M, Barbagallo C, Caraci F, Bucolo C, Ragusa M, Papaleo F, Campolongo P, Puzzo D, Drago F, Salomone S, Leggio GM. A novel arousal-based individual screening reveals susceptibility and resilience to PTSD-like phenotypes in mice. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 14:100286. [PMID: 33392367 PMCID: PMC7772817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational animal models for studying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are valuable for elucidating the poorly understood neurobiology of this neuropsychiatric disorder. These models should encompass crucial features, including persistence of PTSD-like phenotypes triggered after exposure to a single traumatic event, trauma susceptibility/resilience and predictive validity. Here we propose a novel arousal-based individual screening (AIS) model that recapitulates all these features. The AIS model was designed by coupling the traumatization (24 h restraint) of C57BL/6 J mice with a novel individual screening. This screening consists of z-normalization of post-trauma changes in startle reactivity, which is a measure of arousal depending on neural circuits conserved across mammals. Through the AIS model, we identified susceptible mice showing long-lasting hyperarousal (up to 56 days post-trauma), and resilient mice showing normal arousal. Susceptible mice further showed persistent PTSD-like phenotypes including exaggerated fear reactivity and avoidance of trauma-related cue (up to 75 days post-trauma), increased avoidance-like behavior and social/cognitive impairment. Conversely, resilient mice adopted active coping strategies, behaving like control mice. We further uncovered novel transcriptional signatures driven by PTSD-related genes as well as dysfunction of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which corroborated the segregation in susceptible/resilient subpopulations obtained through the AIS model and correlated with trauma susceptibility/resilience. Impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity was also observed in susceptible mice. Finally, chronic treatment with paroxetine ameliorated the PTSD-like phenotypes of susceptible mice. These findings indicate that the AIS model might be a new translational animal model for the study of crucial features of PTSD. It might shed light on the unclear PTSD neurobiology and identify new pharmacological targets for this difficult-to-treat disorder. The AIS model includes highly requested features necessary to shape a translational PTSD animal model. Susceptible mice identified through the AIS model exhibited persistent PTSD-like phenotypes. Resilient mice identified through the AIS model adopted active coping strategies. The AIS model revealed molecular adaptations underlying trauma susceptibility/resilience. The AIS model meets the criterion of predictive validity by exclusively using susceptible mice.
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Key Words
- 5-trial SM, 5-trial social memory
- AIS, arousal-based individual screening
- ASR, acoustic startle reactivity
- Amy, amygdala
- Animal model
- BDNF, brain derived neurotropic factor
- BST, basal synaptic transmission
- C, control
- CORT, corticosterone
- DSM-5, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
- EPM, elevated plus maze
- FDA, Food and Drug Administration
- FKBP5, FK506 binding protein 5
- FST, forced swim test
- Fear conditioning
- HIP, hippocampus
- HPA, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal
- HT, hypothalamus
- OF, open field
- PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder
- Resilience
- SGK1, serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1
- SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Stress
- Susceptibility
- TE, trauma-exposed
- Z-score
- fEPSPs, field excitatory post-synaptic potentials
- mPFC, medial prefrontal cortex
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano A Torrisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Lavanco
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,INSERM, U1215 Neurocentre Magendie and University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Oriana M Maurel
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Research Group "Neuronal Plasticity", Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Samuele Laudani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Geraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Cristina Barbagallo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Ragusa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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