Crabp1 Modulates HPA Axis Homeostasis and Anxiety-like Behaviors by Altering FKBP5 Expression

Change in function and homeostasis of HPA axis: The role of vitamin family

With the improvement of living quality, people pay more and more attention to vitamin supplements. The vitamins in the daily diet can meet the needs of the body. Whether additional vitamin supplementation is necessary still needs to be further explored. Many studies have reported that vitamin deficiency and excessive vitamin supplementation could lead to abnormal development in the body or increase the risk of diseases. Here, we summarize the abnormal levels of vitamins can cause the homeostasis imbalance of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by affecting its development and function. It can lead to abnormal synthesis and secretion of glucocorticoid in the body, which mediates the occurrence and development of metabolic diseases and psychoneurotic diseases. In addition, vitamin has a strong antioxidant effect, which can eliminate oxygen free radicals. Thereby, vitamins can alter HPA axis function and homeostasis maintenance by combating oxidative stress. This review provides a theoretical basis for clarifying the role of abnormal levels of vitamin in the occurrence and development of multiple diseases and its intervention strategy, and also provides reference value and guiding significance for rational use of vitamins.

Editorial of the Special Issue "Neurobiological Mechanisms Implicated in Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders"

Mental disorders may seriously impair the quality of life of affected individuals and cause a significant public health burden [...].

A meta-analysis of mRNA expression profiling studies in sheep with different FecB genotypes

The FecB mutation in the sheep BMPRIB is strongly correlated with high ovulation traits but its mechanism remains unclear. This study explored differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their associated molecular mechanisms that may be involved in FecB mutation-induced high ovulation from the perspective of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. The PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, WanFang, and CBM databases were searched for eligible articles published before August 2022, focusing on mRNA sequencing of different tissues in the HPG axis in sheep with different FecB genotypes. A total of 6555 DEGs were identified from the analysis of six published articles and experimental results from our laboratory. The DEGs were screened by vote-counting rank and robust rank aggregation. Among these, in the follicular phase, FKBP5, CDCA7 and CRABP1 were upregulated in the hypothalamus. INSM2 was upregulated, while LDB3 was downregulated in the pituitary. CLU, SERPINA14, PENK, INHA and STAR were upregulated, while FERMT2 and NPY1R were downregulated in the ovary. On the HPG axis, TAC1 was upregulated and NPNT was downregulated. Many DEGs were found in sheep with different FecB genotypes. The genes FKBP5, CDCA7, CRABP1, INSM2, LDB3, CLU, SERPINA14, PENK, INHA, STAR, FERMT2, NPY1R, TAC1 and NPNT, may be associated with FecB mutation-induced high ovulation in different tissues. These candidate genes will further improve the mechanism of multiple fertility traits induced by the FecB mutation from the perspective of the HPG axis.

Exploring differentially expressed genes in hypothalamic, pars tuberalis and pineal gland transcriptomes in different sexual behavior phenotypes in rams using RNA-Seq

Reproductive seasonality is a limiting factor in sheep production. Sexual behavior is a key element in reproductive efficiency, and this function is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. To understand the mechanisms of sexual behavior, transcriptomic sequencing technology was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus (HT), pars tuberalis (PT) and pineal gland (PG) in Rasa Aragonesa rams with different sexual behavior. Bioinformatics analysis of the 16,401 identified genes by RNA-Seq revealed 103 and 12 DEGs in the HT and the PG, respectively, at a false discovery rate (FDR) of 5% with an absolute value of expression ≥ 1 (log2FC). However, no DEGs were found in the PT. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs of HT were enriched mainly in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions and signaling pathways, including notable candidate genes such as MTNR1A, CHRNA2, FSHB, LHB, GNRHR, AVP, PRL, PDYN, CGA, GABRD, and TSHB, which play a crucial role in sexual behavior. The GnRH and cAMP signaling pathways were also highlighted. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified potential pathways, dominated mainly by biological process category, that could be responsible for the differences in sexual behavior observed in rams. The intracellular protein transport and pattern specification process were enriched within the PT and the transcription factor binding and protein ubiquitination pathways for the PG. Thus, these pathways together may play an important role in the regulation of the sexual behavior in Rasa Aragonesa rams through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The validation of 5 DEGs using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed expression patterns like the found with RNA-Seq. Overall, these results contribute to understanding the genomic basis of sexual behavior in rams. Our study demonstrates that multiple networks and pathways orchestrate sexual behavior in sheep.

Modulation of adipose inflammation by cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1

Objectives

Obesity, a metabolic syndrome, is known to be related to inflammation, especially adipose tissue inflammation. Cellular interactions within the expanded white adipose tissue (WAT) in obesity contribute to inflammation and studies have suggested that inflammation is triggered by inflamed adipocytes that recruit M1 macrophages into WAT. What causes accumulation of unhealthy adipocytes is an important topic of investigation. This study aims to understand the action of Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein 1 (CRABP1) in WAT inflammation.

Methods

Eight weeks-old wild type (WT) and Crabp1 knockout (CKO) mice were fed with a normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Body weight and food intake were monitored. WATs and serum were collected for cellular and molecular analyses to determine affected signaling pathways. In cell culture studies, primary adipocyte differentiation and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) were used to examine adipocytes’ effects, mediated by CRABP1, in macrophage polarization. The 3T3L1-adipocyte was used to validate relevant signaling pathways.

Results

CKO mice developed an obese phenotype, more severely under high-fat diet (HFD) feeding. Further, CKO’s WAT exhibited a more severe inflammatory state as compared to wild type (WT) WAT, with a significantly expanded M1-like macrophage population. However, this was not caused by intrinsic defects of CKO macrophages. Rather, CKO adipocytes produced a significantly reduced level of adiponectin and had significantly lowered mitochondrial DNA content. CKO adipocyte-conditioned medium, compared to WT control, inhibited M2-like (CD206⁺) macrophage polarization. Mechanistically, defects in CKO adipocytes involved the ERK1/2 signaling pathway that could be modulated by CRABP1.

Conclusions

This study shows that CRABP1 plays a protective role against HFD-induced WAT inflammation through, in part, its regulation of adiponectin production and mitochondrial homeostasis in adipocytes, thereby modulating macrophage polarization in WAT to control its inflammatory potential.

CRABP1 in Non-Canonical Activities of Retinoic Acid in Health and Diseases

In this review, we discuss the emerging role of Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein 1 (CRABP1) as a mediator of non-canonical activities of retinoic acid (RA) and relevance to human diseases. We first discuss the role of CRABP1 in regulating MAPK activities and its implication in stem cell proliferation, cancers, adipocyte health, and neuro-immune regulation. We then discuss an additional role of CRABP1 in regulating CaMKII activities, and its implication in heart and motor neuron diseases. Through molecular and genetic studies of Crabp1 knockout (CKO) mouse and culture models, it is established that CRABP1 forms complexes with specific signaling molecules to function as RA-regulated signalsomes in a cell context-dependent manner. Gene expression data and CRABP1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of human cancer, neurodegeneration, and immune disease patients implicate the potential association of abnormality in CRABP1 with human diseases. Finally, therapeutic strategies for managing certain human diseases by targeting CRABP1 are discussed.

Alteration of peripheral cortisol and autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis

Cortisol is the main HPA axis hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, and influences metabolism, cognition, and behavior. Recently, a plethora of studies have tried to confirm the correlation between peripheral cortisol and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the results were controversial. We assessed the effects of peripheral cortisol on ASD in this study. The included studies were identified according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled Hedges' g and its 95% confidence interval were selected to evaluate the association between peripheral cortisol and ASD. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, meta-regression, and publication bias tests were also undertaken based on the obtained information. There were a total of twelve studies with 375 ASD patients and 335 controls included in our meta-analysis. Obvious heterogeneity across studies was found in the overall analysis. Peripheral cortisol levels were significantly elevated in ASD patients compared with controls in the absence of obvious heterogeneity. A single study did not influence the overall comparison results. Meta-regression analyses revealed that age and gender of the included subjects, sample size, and publication year did not moderate effects on the present results. These findings may provide us some targeted strategies to the diagnosis and treatment of ASD.