1
|
Han M, Zeng D, Tan W, Chen X, Bai S, Wu Q, Chen Y, Wei Z, Mei Y, Zeng Y. Brain region-specific roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in social stress-induced depressive-like behavior. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:159-173. [PMID: 38767484 PMCID: PMC11246125 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a key factor in stress adaptation and avoidance of a social stress behavioral response. Recent studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in stressed mice is brain region-specific, particularly involving the corticolimbic system, including the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. Determining how brain-derived neurotrophic factor participates in stress processing in different brain regions will deepen our understanding of social stress psychopathology. In this review, we discuss the expression and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in stress-sensitive brain regions closely related to the pathophysiology of depression. We focused on associated molecular pathways and neural circuits, with special attention to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling pathway and the ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens dopamine circuit. We determined that stress-induced alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are likely related to the nature, severity, and duration of stress, especially in the above-mentioned brain regions of the corticolimbic system. Therefore, BDNF might be a biological indicator regulating stress-related processes in various brain regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man Han
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Deyang Zeng
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xingxing Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shuyuan Bai
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yushan Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhen Wei
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yufei Mei
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang Z, Wu T, Hu H, Alabed AAA, Cui G, Sun L, Sun Z, Wang Y, Li P. Plasma exosomes carrying mmu-miR-146a-5p and Notch signalling pathway-mediated synaptic activity in schizophrenia. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2024; 49:E265-E281. [PMID: 39209459 PMCID: PMC11374447 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.230118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is characterized by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, leading to alterations in various molecular pathways that may contribute to its pathogenesis. Recent studies have shown that exosomal microRNAs could play essential roles in various brain disorders; thus, we sought to explore the potential molecular mechanisms through which microRNAs in plasma exosomes are involved in schizophrenia. METHODS We obtained sequencing data sets (SUB12404730, SUB12422862, and SUB12421357) and transcriptome sequencing data sets (GSE111708, GSE108925, and GSE18981) from mouse models of schizophrenia using the Sequence Read Archive and the Gene Expression Omnibus databases, respectively. We performed differential expression analysis on mRNA to identify differentially expressed genes. We conducted Gene Ontology (GO) functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses to determine differentially expressed genes. Subsequently, we determined the intersection of differentially expressed microRNAs in plasma exosomes and in prefrontal cortex tissue. We retrieved downstream target genes of mmu-miR-146a-5p from TargetScan and used Cytoscape to visualize and map the microRNA-target gene regulatory network. We conducted in vivo experiments using MK-801-induced mouse schizophrenia models and in vitro experiments using cultured mouse neurons. The role of plasma exosomal miR-146a-5p in schizophrenia was validated using a cell counting kit, detection of lactate dehydrogenase, dual-luciferase assay, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS Differential genes were mainly enriched in synaptic regulation-related functions and pathways and were associated with neuronal degeneration. We found that mmu-miR-146a-5p was highly expressed in both prefrontal cortical tissue and plasma exosomes, which may be transferred to lobe cortical vertebral neurons, leading to the synergistic dysregulation of gene network functions and, therefore, promoting schizophrenia development. We found that mmu-miR-146a-5p may inhibit the Notch signalling pathway-mediated synaptic activity of mouse pyramidal neurons in the lobe cortex by targeting NOTCH1, which in turn could promote the onset and development of schizophrenia in mice. LIMITATIONS The study's findings are based on animal models and in vitro experiments, which may not fully replicate the complexity of human schizophrenia. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that mmu-miR-146a-5p in plasma-derived exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Our results provide new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Wang
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Tong Wu
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Houjia Hu
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Alabed Ali A Alabed
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Guangcheng Cui
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Lei Sun
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Zhenghai Sun
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Yuchen Wang
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| | - Ping Li
- From the Departments of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Z. Wang); the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China (Hu); the Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, Malaysia (Alabed); the Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, PR China (Wu, Cui, L. Sun, Z. Sun)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mucignat-Caretta C, Soravia G. Positive or negative environmental modulations on human brain development: the morpho-functional outcomes of music training or stress. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1266766. [PMID: 38027483 PMCID: PMC10657192 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1266766] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last couple of decades, the study of human living brain has benefitted of neuroimaging and non-invasive electrophysiological techniques, which are particularly valuable during development. A number of studies allowed to trace the usual stages leading from pregnancy to adult age, and relate them to functional and behavioral measurements. It was also possible to explore the effects of some interventions, behavioral or not, showing that the commonly followed pathway to adulthood may be steered by external interventions. These events may result in behavioral modifications but also in structural changes, in some cases limiting plasticity or extending/modifying critical periods. In this review, we outline the healthy human brain development in the absence of major issues or diseases. Then, the effects of negative (different stressors) and positive (music training) environmental stimuli on brain and behavioral development is depicted. Hence, it may be concluded that the typical development follows a course strictly dependent from environmental inputs, and that external intervention can be designed to positively counteract negative influences, particularly at young ages. We also focus on the social aspect of development, which starts in utero and continues after birth by building social relationships. This poses a great responsibility in handling children education and healthcare politics, pointing to social accountability for the responsible development of each child.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Soravia
- Department of Mother and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sunderji A, Gallant HD, Hall A, Davis AD, Pokhvisneva I, Meaney MJ, Silveira PP, Sassi RB, Hall GB. Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene network moderates the impact of prenatal maternal adversity on orbitofrontal cortical thickness in middle childhood. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287289. [PMID: 37319261 PMCID: PMC10270637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In utero, the developing brain is highly susceptible to the environment. For example, adverse maternal experiences during the prenatal period are associated with outcomes such as altered neurodevelopment and emotion dysregulation. Yet, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigate whether the function of a network of genes co-expressed with the serotonin transporter in the amygdala moderates the impact of prenatal maternal adversity on the structure of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in middle childhood and/or the degree of temperamental inhibition exhibited in toddlerhood. T1-weighted structural MRI scans were acquired from children aged 6-12 years. A cumulative maternal adversity score was used to conceptualize prenatal adversity and a co-expression based polygenic risk score (ePRS) was generated. Behavioural inhibition at 18 months was assessed using the Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire (ECBQ). Our results indicate that in the presence of a low functioning serotonin transporter gene network in the amygdala, higher levels of prenatal adversity are associated with greater right OFC thickness at 6-12 years old. The interaction also predicts temperamental inhibition at 18 months. Ultimately, we identified important biological processes and structural modifications that may underlie the link between early adversity and future deviations in cognitive, behavioural, and emotional development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleeza Sunderji
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Heather D. Gallant
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander Hall
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew D. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Irina Pokhvisneva
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael J. Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences and Brain–Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patricia P. Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Roberto B. Sassi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Geoffrey B. Hall
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Silveira PP, Meaney MJ. Examining the biological mechanisms of human mental disorders resulting from gene-environment interdependence using novel functional genomic approaches. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 178:106008. [PMID: 36690304 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We explore how functional genomics approaches that integrate datasets from human and non-human model systems can improve our understanding of the effect of gene-environment interplay on the risk for mental disorders. We start by briefly defining the G-E paradigm and its challenges and then discuss the different levels of regulation of gene expression and the corresponding data existing in humans (genome wide genotyping, transcriptomics, DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, chromosome conformational changes, non-coding RNAs, proteomics and metabolomics), discussing novel approaches to the application of these data in the study of the origins of mental health. Finally, we discuss the multilevel integration of diverse types of data. Advance in the use of functional genomics in the context of a G-E perspective improves the detection of vulnerabilities, informing the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore; Brain - Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Silveira PP. Fetal Growth and Brain Development-One Data Point Is Worth a Thousand Words, But Growth Trajectories Are Worth a Million. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2139283. [PMID: 34882184 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.39283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|