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Do AN, Ali M, Timsina J, Wang L, Western D, Liu M, Sanford J, Rosende-Roca M, Boada M, Puerta R, Wilson T, Ruiz A, Pastor P, Wyss-Coray T, Cruchaga C, Sung YJ. CSF proteomic profiling with amyloid/tau positivity identifies distinctive sex-different alteration of multiple proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.03.15.24304164. [PMID: 38559166 PMCID: PMC10980123 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.15.24304164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, females have higher prevalence and faster progression, but sex-specific molecular findings in AD are limited. Here, we comprehensively examined and validated 7,006 aptamers targeting 6,162 proteins in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from 2,077 amyloid/tau positive cases and controls to identify sex-specific proteomic signatures of AD. In discovery (N=1,766), we identified 330 male-specific and 121 female-specific proteomic alternations in CSF (FDR <0.05). These sex-specific proteins strongly predicted amyloid/tau positivity (AUC=0.98 in males; 0.99 in females), significantly higher than those with age, sex, and APOE-ε4 (AUC=0.85). The identified sex-specific proteins were well validated (r≥0.5) in the Stanford study (N=108) and Emory study (N=148). Biological follow-up of these proteins led to sex differences in cell-type specificity, pathways, interaction networks, and drug targets. Male-specific proteins, enriched in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, were involved in postsynaptic and axon-genesis. The male network exhibited direct connections among 152 proteins and highlighted PTEN, NOTCH1, FYN, and MAPK8 as hubs. Drug target suggested melatonin (used for sleep-wake cycle regulation), nabumetone (used for pain), daunorubicin, and verteporfin for treating AD males. In contrast, female-specific proteins, enriched in neurons, were involved in phosphoserine residue binding including cytokine activities. The female network exhibits strong connections among 51 proteins and highlighted JUN and 14-3-3 proteins (YWHAG and YWHAZ) as hubs. Drug target suggested biperiden (for muscle control of Parkinson's disease), nimodipine (for cerebral vasospasm), quinostatin and ethaverine for treating AD females. Together, our findings provide mechanistic understanding of sex differences for AD risk and insights into clinically translatable interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh N Do
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Muhammad Ali
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jigyasha Timsina
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel Western
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Menghan Liu
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jessie Sanford
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Matitee Rosende-Roca
- Research Center and Memory clinic Fundació ACE. Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Merce Boada
- Research Center and Memory clinic Fundació ACE. Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Puerta
- Research Center and Memory clinic Fundació ACE. Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ted Wilson
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Agustin Ruiz
- Research Center and Memory clinic Fundació ACE. Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pau Pastor
- Memory Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Mutua Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Hope Center for Neurologic Diseases, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yun Ju Sung
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Singh M, Krishnamoorthy VR, Kim S, Khurana S, LaPorte HM. Brain-derived neuerotrophic factor and related mechanisms that mediate and influence progesterone-induced neuroprotection. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1286066. [PMID: 38469139 PMCID: PMC10925611 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1286066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Historically, progesterone has been studied significantly within the context of reproductive biology. However, there is now an abundance of evidence for its role in regions of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with such non-reproductive functions that include cognition and affect. Here, we describe mechanisms of progesterone action that support its brain-protective effects, and focus particularly on the role of neurotrophins (such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF), the receptors that are critical for their regulation, and the role of certain microRNA in influencing the brain-protective effects of progesterone. In addition, we describe evidence to support the particular importance of glia in mediating the neuroprotective effects of progesterone. Through this review of these mechanisms and our own prior published work, we offer insight into why the effects of a progestin on brain protection may be dependent on the type of progestin (e.g., progesterone versus the synthetic, medroxyprogesterone acetate) used, and age, and as such, we offer insight into the future clinical implication of progesterone treatment for such disorders that include Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meharvan Singh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
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Li J, Xiao WH, Ye F, Tang XW, Jia QF, Zhang XB. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, sex hormones and cognitive decline in male patients with schizophrenia receiving continuous antipsychotic therapy. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:995-1004. [PMID: 38186728 PMCID: PMC10768483 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i12.995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are systematic differences in clinical features between women and men with schizophrenia (SCZ). The regulation of sex hormones may play a potential role in abnormal neurodevelopment in SCZ. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and sex hormones have complex interacting actions that contribute to the etiology of SCZ. AIM To investigate the influence of BDNF and sex hormones on cognition and clinical symptomatology in chronic antipsychotic-treated male SCZ patients. METHODS The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), progesterone, testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL) and BDNF were compared between chronic antipsychotic-treated male (CATM) patients with SCZ (n = 120) and healthy controls (n = 120). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to quantify SCZ symptoms, while neuropsychological tests were used to assess cognition. Neuropsychological tests, such as the Digit Cancellation Test (DCT), Semantic Verbal Fluency (SVF), Spatial Span Test (SS), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Trail Making Task (TMT-A), and Block Design Test (BDT), were used to assess executive functions (BDT), attention (DCT, TMT-A), memory (SS, PASAT), and verbal proficiency (SVF). RESULTS Although E2 levels were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the healthy controls, T, PRL, and LH levels were all significantly higher. Additionally, the analysis revealed that across the entire sample, there were positive correlations between E2 Levels and BDNF levels as well as BDNF levels and the digital cancellation time. In CATM patients with SCZ, a significant correlation between the negative symptoms score and PRL levels was observed. CONCLUSION Sex hormones and BDNF levels may also be linked to cognitive function in patients with chronic SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Huan Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Wutaishan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Wutaishan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Wutaishan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qiu-Fang Jia
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu Province, China
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Huibregtse ME, Sweeney SH, Stephens MR, Cheng H, Chen Z, Block HJ, Newman SD, Kawata K. Association Between Serum Neurofilament Light and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Levels and Head Impact Burden in Women's Collegiate Water Polo. J Neurotrauma 2023; 40:1130-1143. [PMID: 36259456 PMCID: PMC10266555 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent investigations have identified water polo athletes as at risk for concussions and repetitive subconcussive head impacts. Head impact exposure in collegiate varsity women's water polo, however, has not yet been longitudinally quantified. We aimed to determine the relationship between cumulative and acute head impact exposure across pre-season training and changes in serum biomarkers of brain injury. Twenty-two Division I collegiate women's water polo players were included in this prospective observational study. They wore sensor-installed mouthguards during all practices and scrimmages during eight weeks of pre-season training. Serum samples were collected at six time points (at baseline, before and after scrimmages during weeks 4 and 7, and after the eight-week pre-season training period) and assayed for neurofilament light (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) using Simoa® Human Neurology 2-Plex B assay kits. Serum GFAP increased over time (e.g., an increase of 0.6559 pg/mL per week; p = 0.0087). Neither longitudinal nor acute pre-post scrimmage changes in GFAP, however, were associated with head impact exposure. Contrarily, an increase in serum NfL across the study period was associated with cumulative head impact magnitude (sum of peak linear acceleration: B = 0.015, SE = 0.006, p = 0.016; sum of peak rotational acceleration: B = 0.148, SE = 0.048, p = 0.006). Acute changes in serum NfL were not associated with head impacts recorded during the two selected scrimmages. Hormonal contraceptive use was associated with lower serum NfL and GFAP levels over time, and elevated salivary levels of progesterone were also associated with lower serum NfL levels. These results suggest that detecting increases in serum NfL may be a useful way to monitor cumulative head impact burden in women's contact sports and that female-specific factors, such as hormonal contraceptive use and circulating progesterone levels, may be neuroprotective, warranting further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Huibregtse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Kinesiology and College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Sage H. Sweeney
- Department of Kinesiology and College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Mikayla R. Stephens
- Department of Kinesiology and College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Hu Cheng
- Department of Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Zhongxue Chen
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Arts, Sciences and Education, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, and College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Hannah J. Block
- Department of Kinesiology and College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Sharlene D. Newman
- Alabama Life Research Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, and College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Keisuke Kawata
- Department of Kinesiology and College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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Gnanasekaran R, Aickareth J, Hawwar M, Sanchez N, Croft J, Zhang J. CmPn/CmP Signaling Networks in the Maintenance of the Blood Vessel Barrier. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13050751. [PMID: 37240921 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13050751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) arise when capillaries within the brain enlarge abnormally, causing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to break down. The BBB serves as a sophisticated interface that controls molecular interactions between the bloodstream and the central nervous system. The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a complex structure made up of neurons, astrocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes, microglia, and basement membranes, which work together to maintain blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Within the NVU, tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs) between endothelial cells play a critical role in regulating the permeability of the BBB. Disruptions to these junctions can compromise the BBB, potentially leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. Understanding the molecular signaling cascades that regulate BBB permeability through EC junctions is, therefore, essential. New research has demonstrated that steroids, including estrogens (ESTs), glucocorticoids (GCs), and metabolites/derivatives of progesterone (PRGs), have multifaceted effects on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability by regulating the expression of tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs). They also have anti-inflammatory effects on blood vessels. PRGs, in particular, have been found to play a significant role in maintaining BBB integrity. PRGs act through a combination of its classic and non-classic PRG receptors (nPR/mPR), which are part of a signaling network known as the CCM signaling complex (CSC). This network couples both nPR and mPR in the CmPn/CmP pathway in endothelial cells (ECs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Revathi Gnanasekaran
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM), Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Justin Aickareth
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM), Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Majd Hawwar
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM), Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Nickolas Sanchez
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM), Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Jacob Croft
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM), Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM), Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
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Yuk JS, Jeong SH. Association Between Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk for Parkinson's Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023; 13:1357-1367. [PMID: 37980684 PMCID: PMC10741322 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-230230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial. OBJECTIVE This nationwide population-based cohort study investigated the association between MHT and PD development. METHODS Data from the National Health Insurance System of South Korea from 2007 to 2020 were used. The MHT group included women who underwent MHT for the first time between 2011-2014, while the non-MHT group included women who visited a healthcare provider for menopause during the same period but never received hormonal therapy. We used propensity score matching (1 : 1) to adjust for potential confounders, and Cox regression models to assess the association between MHT and PD. RESULTS We selected 303,260 female participants (n = 151,630 per MHT and non-MHT groups). The median age of the participants was 50 (48-54) years, and the follow-up period lasted 7.9 (6.9-8.9) years. Cox regression analysis revealed an increased risk of PD with MHT (hazard ratio [HR] 1.377, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.184-1.602), particularly with tibolone (HR 1.554, 95% CI 1.297-1.861) and estrogen alone (HR 1.465, 95% CI 1.054-2.036). Tibolone and estrogen alone were linked to PD within three years; however, no association was observed after three years. In contrast, the use of combined estrogen-progesterone was linked to a higher risk of PD, which increased with the duration of MHT (HR 1.885, 95% CI 1.218-2.918 for over five years). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the MHT is closely associated with the risk of PD in a regimen- and duration-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Sung Yuk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Ho Jeong
- Department of Neurology, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Buggio L, Barbara G, Facchin F, Ghezzi L, Dridi D, Vercellini P. The influence of hormonal contraception on depression and female sexuality: a narrative review of the literature. Gynecol Endocrinol 2022; 38:193-201. [PMID: 34913798 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.2016693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Over the past decades, an increasing number of women have been using hormonal contraception. The potential role of sex hormones in regulating vegetative, psychophysiological, and cognitive functions has been highlighted in several studies, and there is a need to further understand the impact of hormonal contraception on women's quality of life, especially as regards psychological health and sexuality. METHODS We conducted a narrative review aimed at clarifying the mechanisms involved in the interaction between sex hormones and the brain, also focusing on the association between hormonal contraception and mood and sexual function. RESULTS Our findings clarified that hormonal contraception may be associated with depressive symptoms, especially among adolescents, and with sexual dysfunction. However, the evidence included in this review was conflicting and did not support the hypothesis that hormonal contraception directly causes depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, or sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The optimal hormonal contraception should be identified in the context of shared decision making, considering the preferences and needs of each woman, as well as her physical and psychosexual conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Buggio
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giussy Barbara
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- SVSeD, Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence and Obstetric and Gynecology Emergency Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Facchin
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Ghezzi
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Dhouha Dridi
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Vercellini
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Guo L, Zhong MB, Zhang L, Zhang B, Cai D. Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights From the Multiomics Landscape. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:61-71. [PMID: 33896621 PMCID: PMC8996342 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has complex etiologies, and the impact of sex on AD varies over the course of disease development. The literature provides some evidence of sex-specific contributions to AD. However, molecular mechanisms of sex-biased differences in AD remain elusive. Multiomics data in tandem with systems biology approaches offer a new avenue to dissect sex-stratified molecular mechanisms of AD and to develop sex-specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for AD. Single-cell transcriptomic datasets and cell deconvolution of bulk tissue transcriptomic data provide additional insights into brain cell type-specific impact on sex-biased differences in AD. In this review, we summarize the impact of sex chromosomes and sex hormones on AD, the impact of sex-biased differences during AD development, and the interplay between sex and a major AD genetic risk factor, the APOE ε4 genotype, through the multiomics landscape. Several sex-biased molecular pathways such as neuroinflammation and bioenergetic metabolism have been identified. The importance of sex chromosome and sex hormones, as well as the associated pathways in AD pathogenesis, is further strengthened by findings from omics studies. Future research efforts should integrate the multiomics data from different brain regions and different cell types using systems biology approaches, and leverage the knowledge into a holistic examination of sex differences in AD. Advances in systems biology technologies and increasingly available large-scale multiomics datasets will facilitate future studies dissecting such complex signaling mechanisms to better understand AD pathogenesis in both sexes, with the ultimate goals of developing efficacious sex- and APOE-stratified preventive and therapeutic interventions for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Guo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Margaret B Zhong
- Department of Neuroscience, Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Larry Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Research and Development Service, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
| | - Dongming Cai
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Research and Development Service, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
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De novo Neurosteroidogenesis in Human Microglia: Involvement of the 18 kDa Translocator Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063115. [PMID: 33803741 PMCID: PMC8003294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are potent modulators of microglial functions and are capable of counteracting their excessive reactivity. This action has mainly been ascribed to neuroactive steroids released from other sources, as microglia have been defined unable to produce neurosteroids de novo. Unexpectedly, immortalized murine microglia recently exhibited this de novo biosynthesis; herein, de novo neurosteroidogenesis was characterized in immortalized human microglia. The results demonstrated that C20 and HMC3 microglial cells constitutively express members of the neurosteroidogenesis multiprotein machinery-in particular, the transduceosome members StAR and TSPO, and the enzyme CYP11A1. Moreover, both cell lines produce pregnenolone and transcriptionally express the enzymes involved in neurosteroidogenesis. The high TSPO expression levels observed in microglia prompted us to assess its role in de novo neurosteroidogenesis. TSPO siRNA and TSPO synthetic ligand treatments were used to reduce and prompt TSPO function, respectively. The TSPO expression downregulation compromised the de novo neurosteroidogenesis and led to an increase in StAR expression, probably as a compensatory mechanism. The pharmacological TSPO stimulation the de novo neurosteroidogenesis improved in turn the neurosteroid-mediated release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that de novo neurosteroidogenesis occurs in human microglia, unravelling a new mechanism potentially useful for future therapeutic purposes.
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Frye CA, Lembo VF, Walf AA. Progesterone's Effects on Cognitive Performance of Male Mice Are Independent of Progestin Receptors but Relate to Increases in GABA A Activity in the Hippocampus and Cortex. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 11:552805. [PMID: 33505354 PMCID: PMC7829189 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.552805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Progestogens' (e.g., progesterone and its neuroactive metabolite, allopregnanolone), cognitive effects and mechanisms among males are not well-understood. We hypothesized if progestogen's effects on cognitive performance are through its metabolite allopregnanolone, and not actions via binding to traditional progestin receptors (PRs), then progesterone administration would enhance performance in tasks mediated by the hippocampus and cortex, coincident with increasing allopregnanolone concentrations, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and/or muscimol binding of PR knock out (PRKO) and wild-type PR replete mice. Experiment 1: Progesterone (4 mg/kg, subcutaneously (SC; n = 12/grp), or oil vehicle control, was administered to gonadally-intact adult male mice PRKO mice and their wild-type counterparts and cognitive behaviors in object recognition, T-maze and water maze was examined. Progesterone, compared to vehicle, when administered post-training increased time investigating novel objects by the PRKO and wild-type mice in the object recognition task. In the T-maze task, progesterone administration to wild-type and PRKO mice had significantly greater number of spontaneous alternations compared to their vehicle-administered counterparts. In the water maze task, PRKO mice administered vehicle spent significantly fewer seconds in the quadrant associated with the escape platform on testing compared to all other groups. Experiment 2: Progesterone administered to wild-type and PRKO mice increased plasma progesterone and allopregnanolone levels (n = 5/group). PRKO mice had higher allopregnanolone levels in plasma and hippocampus, but not cortex, when administered progesterone and compared to wild-type mice. Experiment 3: Assessment of PR binding revealed progesterone administered wild-type mice had significantly greater levels of PRs in the hippocampus and cortex, compared to all other groups (n = 5/group). Wild-type mice administered progesterone, but not vehicle, had increased BDNF levels in the hippocampus, but not the cortex, compared to PRKOs. Wild-type as well as PRKO mice administered progesterone experienced significant increases in maximal GABAA agonist, muscimol, binding in hippocampus and cortex, compared to their vehicle-administered counterparts. Thus, adult male mice can be responsive to progesterone for cognitive performance, and such effects may be independent of PRs trophic actions of BDNF levels in the hippocampus and/or increases in GABAA activity in the hippocampus and cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A. Frye
- Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNY, Life Sciences, Albany, NY, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University at Albany-SUNY, Life Sciences, Albany, NY, United States
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, The University at Albany-SUNY, Life Sciences, Albany, NY, United States
- The Center for Life Sciences Research, The University at Albany-SUNY, Life Sciences, Albany, NY, United States
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
- IDeA Network of Biomedical Excellence (INBRE), University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
- Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Vincent F. Lembo
- Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Alicia A. Walf
- Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNY, Life Sciences, Albany, NY, United States
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
- IDeA Network of Biomedical Excellence (INBRE), University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
- Department of Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
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11
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Candidate metabolic biomarkers for schizophrenia in CNS and periphery: Do any possible associations exist? Schizophr Res 2020; 226:95-110. [PMID: 30935700 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to the limitations of analytical techniques and the complicity of schizophrenia, nowadays it is still a challenge to diagnose and stratify schizophrenia patients accurately. Many attempts have been made to identify and validate available biomarkers for schizophrenia from CSF and/or peripheral blood in clinical studies with consideration to disease stages, antipsychotic effects and even gender differences. However, conflicting results handicap the validation and application of biomarkers for schizophrenia. In view of availability and feasibility, peripheral biomarkers have superior advantages over biomarkers in CNS. Meanwhile, schizophrenia is considered to be a devastating neuropsychiatric disease mainly taking place in CNS featured by widespread defects in multiple metabolic pathways whose dynamic interactions, until recently, have been difficult to difficult to investigate. Evidence for these alterations has been collected piecemeal, limiting the potential to inform our understanding of the interactions among relevant biochemical pathways. Taken these points together, it will be interesting to investigate possible associations of biomarkers between CNS and periphery. Numerous studies have suggested putative correlations within peripheral and CNS systems especially for dopaminergic and glutamatergic metabolic biomarkers. In addition, it has been demonstrated that blood concentrations of BDNF protein can also reflect its changes in the nervous system. In turn, BDNF also interacts with glutamatergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. Therefore, this review will summarize metabolic biomarkers identified both in the CNS (brain tissues and CSF) and peripheral blood. Further, more attentions will be paid to discussing possible physical and functional associations between CNS and periphery, especially with respect to BDNF.
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12
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Notaras M, van den Buuse M. Neurobiology of BDNF in fear memory, sensitivity to stress, and stress-related disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2251-2274. [PMID: 31900428 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0639-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is widely accepted for its involvement in resilience and antidepressant drug action, is a common genetic locus of risk for mental illnesses, and remains one of the most prominently studied molecules within psychiatry. Stress, which arguably remains the "lowest common denominator" risk factor for several mental illnesses, targets BDNF in disease-implicated brain regions and circuits. Altered stress-related responses have also been observed in animal models of BDNF deficiency in vivo, and BDNF is a common downstream intermediary for environmental factors that potentiate anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. However, BDNF's broad functionality has manifested a heterogeneous literature; likely reflecting that BDNF plays a hitherto under-recognized multifactorial role as both a regulator and target of stress hormone signaling within the brain. The role of BDNF in vulnerability to stress and stress-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a prominent example where inconsistent effects have emerged across numerous models, labs, and disciplines. In the current review we provide a contemporary update on the neurobiology of BDNF including new data from the behavioral neuroscience and neuropsychiatry literature on fear memory consolidation and extinction, stress, and PTSD. First we present an overview of recent advances in knowledge on the role of BDNF within the fear circuitry, as well as address mounting evidence whereby stress hormones interact with endogenous BDNF-TrkB signaling to alter brain homeostasis. Glucocorticoid signaling also acutely recruits BDNF to enhance the expression of fear memory. We then include observations that the functional common BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates stress susceptibility as well as stress-related and stress-inducible neuropsychiatric endophenotypes in both man and mouse. We conclude by proposing a BDNF stress-sensitivity hypothesis, which posits that disruption of endogenous BDNF activity by common factors (such as the BDNF Val66Met variant) potentiates sensitivity to stress and, by extension, vulnerability to stress-inducible illnesses. Thus, BDNF may induce plasticity to deleteriously promote the encoding of fear and trauma but, conversely, also enable adaptive plasticity during extinction learning to suppress PTSD-like fear responses. Ergo regulators of BDNF availability, such as the Val66Met polymorphism, may orchestrate sensitivity to stress, trauma, and risk of stress-induced disorders such as PTSD. Given an increasing interest in personalized psychiatry and clinically complex cases, this model provides a framework from which to experimentally disentangle the causal actions of BDNF in stress responses, which likely interact to potentiate, produce, and impair treatment of, stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Notaras
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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13
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Ratnakumar A, Zimmerman SE, Jordan BA, Mar JC. Estrogen activates Alzheimer's disease genes. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2019; 5:906-917. [PMID: 31890855 PMCID: PMC6926344 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Women are at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the reason why remains unknown. One hypothesis is that low estrogen levels at menopause increases vulnerability to AD, but this remains unproven. Methods We compared neuronal genes upregulated by estrogen in ovariectomized female rhesus macaques with a database of >17,000 diverse gene sets and applied a rare variant burden test to exome sequencing data from 1208 female AD patients with the age of onset < 75 years and 2162 female AD controls. Results We found a striking overlap between genes upregulated by estrogen in macaques and genes downregulated in the human postmortem AD brain, and we found that estrogen upregulates the APOE gene and that progesterone acts antagonistically to estrogen genome-wide. We also found that female patients with AD have excess rare mutations in the early menopause gene MCM8. Discussion We show with genomic data that the menopausal loss of estrogen could underlie the increased risk for AD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhirami Ratnakumar
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Samuel E Zimmerman
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Bryen A Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jessica C Mar
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
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Koyuncuoğlu T, Arabacı Tamer S, Erzik C, Karagöz A, Akakın D, Yüksel M, Yeğen BÇ. Oestrogen receptor ERα and ERβ agonists ameliorate oxidative brain injury and improve memory dysfunction in rats with an epileptic seizure. Exp Physiol 2019; 104:1911-1928. [PMID: 31608530 DOI: 10.1113/ep087986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Could different hormonally active substances, including oestrogen receptor (ER) agonists, protect against oxidative brain damage and memory impairment induced by a single epileptic seizure in rats? If so, which signalling mechanisms are involved in their anti-inflammatory effects? What is the main finding and its importance? Chronic administration of oestrogen, progesterone, ER modulators/agonists or blockade of testosterone exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions on single seizure-induced neuronal injury, while ER agonists additionally improved memory function and up-regulated CREB signalling and hippocampal GABA(A)α1 receptor density, suggesting that ERα or ERβ receptor activation may be beneficial in protecting against seizure-related oxidative brain injury and cognitive dysfunction. ABSTRACT The susceptibility to epileptic seizures is dependent on sex as well as fluctuations in oestrogen levels, while exogenous oestrogen was shown to have no effect or to facilitate or to inhibit seizure activity. Oestrogen receptors (ERs) mediate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in several inflammatory models, but the involvement of ERs in seizure-induced neuronal injury has not been evaluated previously. In order to assess the effects of resveratrol, progesterone, oestradiol (E2), an anti-testosterone (cyproterone acetate; CPA), a selective ER modulator (tamoxifen; TMX) and ERα/ERβ agonists (propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), diarylpropionitrile (DPN)) on oxidative brain damage and memory impairment due to epileptic seizure, male Wistar rats (n = 120) received one of the treatment choices either in drinking water or intraperitoneally for 31 days, and epileptic seizure was induced on the 28th day by injection of a single-dose of pentylenetetrazole (45 mg kg-1 ). The results demonstrate that chronic pretreatment with resveratrol, progesterone, E2, CPA or TMX suppressed most of the inflammatory parameters indicative of oxidative neuronal injury, while treatment with the ER agonists DPN or PPT were found to be even more effective in limiting the oxidative damage. Treatment with DPN resulted in the up-regulation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, while PPT up-regulated expression of CREB without affecting BDNF levels. Moreover, both ER agonists provided protection against seizure-induced memory loss with a concomitant increase in hippocampal GABA(A)α1-positive cells. In conclusion, ER agonists, and more specifically ERβ agonist, appear to provide maximum protection against seizure-induced oxidative brain injury and associated memory dysfunction by up-regulating the expression of CREB, BDNF and GABA(A)α1 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Türkan Koyuncuoğlu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sevil Arabacı Tamer
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Can Erzik
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayça Karagöz
- Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dilek Akakın
- Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meral Yüksel
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Vocational School of Health-Related Professions, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Berrak Ç Yeğen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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15
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Ishihara Y, Sakurai H, Oguro A, Tsuji M, Vogel CFA, Yamazaki T. Retinoid X receptor-mediated neuroprotection via CYP19 upregulation and subsequent increases in estradiol synthesis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 193:105421. [PMID: 31265900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has shown that one of the major neurosteroids, estradiol, has potent neuroprotective actions. We have reported that estradiol synthesis was enhanced when retinoic acid was added into rat hippocampal slice culture. In this study, we investigated the effects of a potent retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist, bexarotene, on estrogen synthesis and neuroprotective action in hippocampal slices. Treatment with bexarotene increased estradiol levels as well as estrogen-synthesizing enzymes and CYP19 expression in hippocampal slice cultures. Bexarotene significantly suppressed neuronal cell death induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation. RXR agonists other than bexarotene, such as CD3254, also suppressed neuronal cell death accompanied by OGD/reoxygenation. The RXR antagonists HX531 and UVI3003 and the CYP19 inhibitor letrozole abolished the neuroprotection elicited by bexarotene, indicating that estradiol produced by RXR stimulation protects neurons from ischemic insult. The human brain-specific CYP19 promoter had 6 RXR half sites, and 2 of 6 half sites were responsible for CYP19 expression induced by bexarotene. Bexarotene increased the expression of catalase and glutathione peroxidase 1 and inhibited lipid peroxidation elicited by OGD/reoxygenation, suggesting that the antioxidative property of estrogen contributes to RXR-mediated neuroprotection. Bexarotene also suppressed neuronal injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in the hippocampal slices. Taken together, RXR stimulation can protect neurons via enhanced synthesis of estradiol with antioxidative mechanisms. The RXR-estrogen axis might be a novel mechanism-based strategy to prevent or ameliorate ischemic and/or inflammatory neuronal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Program of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan; Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Hikaru Sakurai
- Program of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Ami Oguro
- Program of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Mayumi Tsuji
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Takeshi Yamazaki
- Program of Life and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
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16
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Azcoitia I, Barreto GE, Garcia-Segura LM. Molecular mechanisms and cellular events involved in the neuroprotective actions of estradiol. Analysis of sex differences. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100787. [PMID: 31513774 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol, either from peripheral or central origin, activates multiple molecular neuroprotective and neuroreparative responses that, being mediated by estrogen receptors or by estrogen receptor independent mechanisms, are initiated at the membrane, the cytoplasm or the cell nucleus of neural cells. Estrogen-dependent signaling regulates a variety of cellular events, such as intracellular Ca2+ levels, mitochondrial respiratory capacity, ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, autophagy and apoptosis. In turn, these molecular and cellular actions of estradiol are integrated by neurons and non-neuronal cells to generate different tissue protective responses, decreasing blood-brain barrier permeability, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity and promoting synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, neurogenesis, remyelination and neuroregeneration. Recent findings indicate that the neuroprotective and neuroreparative actions of estradiol are different in males and females and further research is necessary to fully elucidate the causes for this sex difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Azcoitia
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludables (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - George E Barreto
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludables (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
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17
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Yousuf H, Smies CW, Hafenbreidel M, Tuscher JJ, Fortress AM, Frick KM, Mueller D. Infralimbic Estradiol Enhances Neuronal Excitability and Facilitates Extinction of Cocaine Seeking in Female Rats via a BDNF/TrkB Mechanism. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:168. [PMID: 31417375 PMCID: PMC6684748 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Women are more susceptible to developing cocaine dependence than men, but paradoxically, are more responsive to treatment. The potent estrogen, 17β-estradiol (E2), mediates these effects by augmenting cocaine seeking but also promoting extinction of cocaine seeking through E2's memory-enhancing functions. Although we have previously shown that E2 facilitates extinction, the neuroanatomical locus of action and underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we demonstrate that E2 infused directly into the infralimbic-medial prefrontal cortex (IL-mPFC), a region critical for extinction consolidation, enhances extinction of cocaine seeking in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, we show that E2 may facilitate extinction by potentiating intrinsic excitability of IL-mPFC neurons. Because the mnemonic effects of E2 are known to be regulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), we examined whether BDNF/TrkB signaling was necessary for E2-induced enhancement of excitability and extinction. We found that E2-mediated increases in excitability of IL-mPFC neurons were abolished by Trk receptor blockade. Moreover, blockade of TrkB signaling impaired E2-facilitated extinction of cocaine seeking in OVX female rats. Thus, E2 enhances IL-mPFC neuronal excitability in a TrkB-dependent manner to support extinction of cocaine seeking. Our findings suggest that pharmacological enhancement of E2 or BDNF/TrkB signaling during extinction-based therapies would improve therapeutic outcome in cocaine-addicted women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Yousuf
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Chad W Smies
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Madalyn Hafenbreidel
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jennifer J Tuscher
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ashley M Fortress
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Devin Mueller
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
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Rezk S, Althani A, Abd-elmaksoud A, Kassab M, Farag A, Lashen S, Cenciarelli C, Caceci T, Marei H. Effects of estrogen on Survival and Neuronal Differentiation of adult human olfactory bulb neural stem Cells Transplanted into Spinal Cord Injured Rats.. [DOI: 10.1101/571950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
AbstractIn the present study we developed an excitotoxic spinal cord injury (SCI) model using kainic acid (KA) to evaluate of the therapeutic potential of human olfactory bulb neural stem cells (h-OBNSCs) for spinal cord injury (SCI). In a previous study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of these cells for SCI; all transplanted animals showed successful engraftment. These cells differentiated predominantly as astrocytes, not motor neurons, so no improvement in motor functions was detected. In the current study we used estrogen as neuroprotective therapy before transplantation of OBNSCs to preserve some of endogenous neurons and enhance the differentiation of these cells towards neurons. The present work demonstrated that the h-GFP-OBNSCs were able to survive for more than eight weeks after sub-acute transplantation into injured spinal cord. Stereological quantification of OBNSCs showed approximately a 2.38-fold increase in the initial cell population transplanted. 40.91% of OBNSCs showed differentiation along the neuronal lineages, which was the predominant fate of these cells. 36.36% of the cells differentiated into mature astrocytes; meanwhile 22.73% of the cells differentiated into oligodendrocytes. Improvement in motor functions was also detected after cell transplantation.
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19
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Dumitrescu L, Mayeda ER, Sharman K, Moore AM, Hohman TJ. Sex Differences in the Genetic Architecture of Alzheimer's Disease. CURRENT GENETIC MEDICINE REPORTS 2019; 7:13-21. [PMID: 31360619 PMCID: PMC6662731 DOI: 10.1007/s40142-019-0157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Summarize sex-specific contributors to the genetic architecture of Alzheimer's disease (AD). RECENT FINDINGS There are sex differences in the effects of Apolipoprotein E (APOE), genes along the APOE pathway, and genes along the neurotrophic signaling pathway in predicting AD. Reported sex differences are largely driven by stronger associations among females. Evidence also suggests that genetic predictors of amyloidosis are largely shared across sexes, while sex-specific genetic effects emerge downstream of amyloidosis and drive the clinical manifestation of AD. SUMMARY There is a lack of comprehensive assessments of sex differences in genome-wide analyses of AD and a need for more systematic reporting a sex-stratified genetic effects. The emerging emphasis on sex as a biological variable provides an opportunity for transdisciplinary collaborations aimed at addressing major analytical challenges that have hampered advancements in the field. Ultimately, sex-specific genetic association studies represent a logical first step towards precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Dumitrescu
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Elizabeth Rose Mayeda
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kavya Sharman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Annah M. Moore
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Timothy J. Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Céspedes Rubio ÁE, Pérez-Alvarez MJ, Lapuente Chala C, Wandosell F. Sex steroid hormones as neuroprotective elements in ischemia models. J Endocrinol 2018; 237:R65-R81. [PMID: 29654072 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Among sex steroid hormones, progesterone and estradiol have a wide diversity of physiological activities that target the nervous system. Not only are they carried by the blood stream, but also they are locally synthesized in the brain and for this reason, estradiol and progesterone are considered 'neurosteroids'. The physiological actions of both hormones range from brain development and neurotransmission to aging, illustrating the importance of a deep understanding of their mechanisms of action. In this review, we summarize key roles that estradiol and progesterone play in the brain. As numerous reports have confirmed a substantial neuroprotective role for estradiol in models of neurodegenerative disease, we focus this review on traumatic brain injury and stroke models. We describe updated data from receptor and signaling events triggered by both hormones, with an emphasis on the mechanisms that have been reported as 'rapid' or 'cytoplasmic actions'. Data showing the therapeutic effects of the hormones, used alone or in combination, are also summarized, with a focus on rodent models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Finally, we draw attention to evidence that neuroprotection by both hormones might be due to a combination of 'cytoplasmic' and 'nuclear' signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Enrique Céspedes Rubio
- Departamento de Sanidad AnimalGrupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Maria José Pérez-Alvarez
- Departamento de Biología (Fisiología Animal)Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa'Departamento de Neuropatología Molecular CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)Madrid, Spain
| | - Catalina Lapuente Chala
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades NeurodegenerativasInvestigador Asociado Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Francisco Wandosell
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa'Departamento de Neuropatología Molecular CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)Madrid, Spain
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Guo L, Ren L, Zhang C. Relationship between depression and inflammatory factors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with perimenopause syndrome. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:4436-4440. [PMID: 29849779 PMCID: PMC5962862 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.5985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship of depression with levels of serum inflammatory factors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with perimenopausal syndrome was analyzed to investigate the predictive values of risk factors for depression in patients with perimenopausal syndrome. A total of 73 patients with perimenopausal syndrome were selected, and divided into the depression (n=30) and non-depression (n=43) groups. Results showed that the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores in the depression group were significantly higher than those in the non-depression group (P<0.05). The serum BDNF level in the depression group was significantly lower than that in the non-depression group (P<0.05). The levels of serum inflammatory factors, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in depression group were obviously higher than those in non-depression group (P<0.05). The correlation analyses of serum inflammatory factor and BDNF levels with depression showed that CRP and TNF-α were positively correlated with SDS score, while BDNF level was negatively correlated with SDS score. Logistic regression analyses revealed that menstrual status, chronic diseases, serum inflammatory factors (CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α) and BDNF levels had independent predictive values for depression in patients with perimenopausal syndrome (P<0.05). In conclusion, levels of serum CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and BDNF can be used as judgment indicators for the severity of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Lidong Ren
- Department of Breast, Thyroid, Hernia and Vascular Surgery, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Caixia Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
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Brague JC, Zinn CR, Granot DY, Feathers CT, Swann JM. TrkB is necessary for male copulatory behavior in the Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Horm Behav 2018; 97:162-169. [PMID: 29092774 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The magnocellular medial preoptic nucleus (MPN mag), a subdivision of the medial preoptic area (MPOA), plays a critical role in the regulation of copulation in the male Syrian hamster; in part by mediating the effects of gonadal steroids. For example, ablation of the MPN mag eliminates mating and testosterone placed in the MPN mag restores mating in castrated males. Furthermore, testosterone treatment enhances synaptic density and dendritic spines in the MPN mag. Thus, copulatory behaviors are correlated with increases in synaptic morphology in the MPN mag. As brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tyrosine receptor kinase-B (TrkB), effect neuronal growth and synaptic plasticity, this study explored the role of TrkB and BDNF in mediating testosterone's effects on the MPN mag and behavior. Testosterone treatment increased BDNF expression and conversely lowered TrkB expression in the MPOA. siRNA-mediated TrkB knockdown in the MPN mag eliminated copulation two-days post injection and the behavior was restored one week later. These data indicate that testosterone influences the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the MPOA and that expression of copulation is dependent on the presence of TrkB. Taken together our findings support a role for TrkB and BDNF in mediating the effects of testosterone on copulatory behavior in the Syrian hamster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe C Brague
- Lehigh University, Department of Biological Sciences, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States..
| | - Clifford R Zinn
- Lehigh University, Department of Biological Sciences, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States
| | - Dean Y Granot
- Lehigh University, Department of Biological Sciences, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States
| | - Cameron T Feathers
- Lehigh University, Department of Biological Sciences, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States
| | - Jennifer M Swann
- Lehigh University, Department of Biological Sciences, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States..
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Chan CB, Ye K. Sex differences in brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling and functions. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:328-335. [PMID: 27870419 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family that plays a critical role in numerous neuronal activities. Recent studies have indicated that some functions or action mechanisms of BDNF vary in a sex-dependent manner. In particular, BDNF content in some brain parts and the tendency to develop BDNF deficiency-related diseases such as depression are greater in female animals. With the support of relevant studies, it has been suggested that sex hormones or steroids can modulate the activities of BDNF, which may account for its functional discrepancy in different sexes. Indeed, the cross-talk between BDNF and sex steroids has been detected for decades, and some sex steroids, such as estrogen, have a positive regulatory effect on BDNF expression and signaling. Thus, the sex of animal models that are used in studying the functions of BDNF is critical. This Mini-Review summarizes our current findings on the differences in expression, signaling, and functions of BDNF between sexes. We also discuss the potential mechanisms for mediating these differential responses, with a specific emphasis on sex steroids. By presenting and discussing these findings, we seek to encourage researchers to take sex influences into consideration when designing experiments, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Bun Chan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
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Sexual dimorphic expression of TrkB, TrkB-T1, and BDNF in the medial preoptic area of the Syrian hamster. Brain Res 2017; 1669:122-125. [PMID: 28606780 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophins regulate many aspects of neuronal function and activity. Specifically, the binding of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to Tyrosine receptor kinase-B (TrkB) or its truncated version, TrkB-T1, can cause growth and differentiation or dominant inhibition of receptor signaling, respectively. There is evidence that these neurotropic effects on nervous tissue, in both the central and peripheral nervous system, behave differently between the sexes. This study used western blots to examine the expression of these neurotrophins in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), a sexually dimorphic region of the hamster brain that controls male sex behavior. We report that TrkB-FL and BDNF show greater expression in male MPOA tissue, when compared to female. On the contrary, TrkB-T1 is expressed in greater abundance in the female MPOA. Our results indicate a clear sexual dimorphism of neurotrophins in the MPOA of the Syrian hamster. Furthermore, the greater expression of TrkB-FL and BDNF in the male MPOA suggests that these neurotrophins could be promoting synaptic growth to facilitate male-typical copulation. In contrast, the greater TrkB-T1 expression in the female MPOA suggests a possible inhibition of synaptic growth, and may contribute to the lack of male-typical copulation. Altogether, our data suggests that neurotrophins may play a larger role sexual differentiation than previously thought.
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Ma J, Hong K, Wang HS. Progesterone Protects Against Bisphenol A-Induced Arrhythmias in Female Rat Cardiac Myocytes via Rapid Signaling. Endocrinology 2017; 158:778-790. [PMID: 28324061 PMCID: PMC5460806 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that has a range of potential adverse health effects. Previously we showed that acute exposure to BPA promoted arrhythmias in female rat hearts through estrogen receptor rapid signaling. Progesterone (P4) and estrogen have antagonistic or complementary actions in a number of tissues and systems. In the current study, we examined the influence and possible protective effect of P4 on the rapid cardiac actions of BPA in female rat cardiac myocytes. Preincubation with physiological concentration (1 nM) of P4 abolished BPA-induced triggered activities in female cardiac myocytes. Further, P4 abrogated BPA-induced alterations in Ca2+ handling, including elevated sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak and Ca2+ load. Key to the inhibitory effect of P4 is its blockade of BPA-induced increase in the phosphorylation of phospholamban. At myocyte and protein levels, these inhibitory actions of P4 were blocked by pretreatment with the nuclear P4 receptor (nPR) antagonist RU486. Analysis using membrane-impermeable bovine serum albumin-conjugated P4 suggested that the actions of P4 were mediated by membrane-initiated signaling. Inhibitory G (Gi) protein and phophoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), but not tyrosine protein kinase activation, were involved in the observed effects of P4. In conclusion, P4 exerts an acute protective effect against BPA-induced arrhythmogenesis in female cardiac myocytes through nPR and the Gi/PI3K signaling pathway. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the impact of EDCs in the context of native hormonals and may provide potential therapeutic strategies for protection against the cardiac toxicities associated with BPA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Kui Hong
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
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Eyileten C, Kaplon-Cieslicka A, Mirowska-Guzel D, Malek L, Postula M. Antidiabetic Effect of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Its Association with Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J Diabetes Res 2017; 2017:2823671. [PMID: 29062839 PMCID: PMC5618763 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2823671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin, which plays an important role in the central nervous system, and systemic or peripheral inflammatory conditions, such as acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). BDNF is also expressed in several nonneuronal tissues, and platelets are the major source of peripheral BDNF. Here, we reviewed the potential role of BDNF in platelet reactivity in T2DM and its association with selected inflammatory and platelet activation mediators. Besides that, we focused on adipocytokines such as leptin, resistin, and adiponectin which are considered to take part in inflammation and both lipid and glucose metabolism in diabetic patients as previous studies showed the relation between adipocytokines and BDNF. We also reviewed the evidences of the antidiabetic effect of BDNF and the association with circulating inflammatory cytokines in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Eyileten
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Dagmara Mirowska-Guzel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lukasz Malek
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Postula
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Warsaw, Poland
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The Potential of Gonadal Hormone Signalling Pathways as Therapeutics for Dementia. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 60:336-348. [PMID: 27525638 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0813-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Dementia is an ever-expanding problem facing an ageing society. Currently, there is a sharp paucity of treatment strategies. It has long been known that sex hormones, namely 17β-estradiol and testosterone, possess neuroprotective- and cognitive-enhancing qualities. However, certain lacunae in the knowledge underlying their molecular mechanisms have delayed their use as treatment strategies in dementia. With recent advancements in pharmacology and molecular biology, especially in the development of safer selective oestrogen receptor modulators and the recent discovery of the small-molecule brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, the exploitation of these signalling pathways for clinical use has become possible. This review aims to adumbrate the evidence and hurdles underscoring the use of sex hormones in the treatment of dementia as well as discussing some direction that is required to advance the translation of evidence into practise.
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Rossetti MF, Varayoud J, Lazzarino GP, Luque EH, Ramos JG. Pregnancy and lactation differentially modify the transcriptional regulation of steroidogenic enzymes through DNA methylation mechanisms in the hippocampus of aged rats. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 429:73-83. [PMID: 27040308 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we examined the mRNA expression and DNA methylation state of steroidogenic enzymes in the hippocampus of young adult (90-days-old) and middle-aged (450-days-old) nulliparous rats, and middle-aged multiparous rats subjected to three pregnancies with and without lactation. Aging decreased the mRNA levels of steroidogenic-related genes, while pregnancy and lactation significantly reduced the effect of aging, maintaining high expression levels of cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), steroid 5α-reductase-1 (5αR-1), cytochrome P450arom (P450arom) and aldosterone synthase (P450(11β)-2). In addition, pregnancy and lactation diminished the methylation state of the 5αR-1 promoter and increased the transcription of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, synaptophysin and spinophilin. Pregnancy without lactation increased P450scc and 5αR-1 gene expression and decreased the methylation of their promoters. We concluded that the age-related decrease in the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes is differentially attenuated by pregnancy and lactation in the rat hippocampus and that differential methylation mechanisms could be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Rossetti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Gisela P Lazzarino
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Enrique H Luque
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Jorge G Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Hamson DK, Roes MM, Galea LAM. Sex Hormones and Cognition: Neuroendocrine Influences on Memory and Learning. Compr Physiol 2016; 6:1295-337. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c150031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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30
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Tskitishvili E, Pequeux C, Munaut C, Viellevoye R, Nisolle M, Noël A, Foidart JM. Use of estetrol with other steroids for attenuation of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury: to combine or not to combine? Oncotarget 2016; 7:33722-43. [PMID: 27231853 PMCID: PMC5085115 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Estetrol (E4), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) have important antioxidative and neuroprotective effects in neuronal system. We aimed to study the consequence of combined steroid therapy in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In vitro the effect of E4 combined with other steroids on oxidative stress and the cell viability in primary hippocampal cultures was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase and cell survival assays. In vivo neuroprotective and therapeutic efficacy of E4 combined with other steroids was studied in HIE model of immature rats. The rat pups rectal temperature, body and brain weights were evaluated.The hippocampus and the cortex were investigated by histo/immunohistochemistry: intact cell number counting, expressions of markers for early gray matter lose, neuro- and angiogenesis were studied. Glial fibrillary acidic protein was evaluated by ELISA in blood samples. In vitro E4 and combinations of high doses of E4 with P4 and/or E2 significantly diminished the LDH activity and upregulated the cell survival.In vivopretreatment or treatment by different combinations of E4 with other steroids had unalike effects on body and brain weight, neuro- and angiogenesis, and GFAP expression in blood. The combined use of E4 with other steroids has no benefit over the single use of E4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterine Tskitishvili
- Laboratory of Development Biology and Tumor, GIGA-Cancer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Liege, Liege 1, Belgium
| | - Christel Pequeux
- Laboratory of Development Biology and Tumor, GIGA-Cancer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Liege, Liege 1, Belgium
| | - Carine Munaut
- Laboratory of Development Biology and Tumor, GIGA-Cancer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Liege, Liege 1, Belgium
| | - Renaud Viellevoye
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Liege, Liege 1, Belgium
| | - Michelle Nisolle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Liege, Liege1, Belgium
| | - Agnes Noël
- Laboratory of Development Biology and Tumor, GIGA-Cancer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Liege, Liege 1, Belgium
| | - Jean-Michel Foidart
- Laboratory of Development Biology and Tumor, GIGA-Cancer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Liege, Liege 1, Belgium
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Palzur E, Sharon A, Shehadeh M, Soustiel JF. Investigation of the mechanisms of neuroprotection mediated by Ro5-4864 in brain injury. Neuroscience 2016; 329:162-70. [PMID: 27223627 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has established the involvement of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in the process of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and subsequent apoptosis through modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Recent studies have shown that treatment with Ro5-4864, a TSPO ligand, resulted in a neuroprotective effect in traumatic brain injury. Yet, the nature of this effect remained uncertain as mature neurons are considered to be lacking the TSPO protein. In order to investigate the mechanism of Ro5-4864-mediated neuroprotection, the neuro-inflammatory and neurosteroid response to cortical injury was tested in sham-operated, vehicle, cyclosporine A (CsA) and Ro5-4864-treated rats. As anticipated, the levels of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α, as well as the astrocyte and microglia cellular density in the injured area were all decreased by CsA in comparison with the vehicle group. By contrast, no visible effect could be observed in Ro5-4864-treated animals. None of the groups showed any significant difference with any other in respect with the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Double immunofluorescence staining with NeuN and TSPO confirmed the absence of TSPO in native neurons though showed clear evidence of co-localization of TSPO in the cytoplasm of NeuN-stained injured neurons. Altogether, this study shows that the neuronal protection mediated by Ro5-4864 in brain injury cannot be solely attributed to an indirect effect of the ligand on glial TSPO but may also represent the consequence of the modulation of upregulated TSPO in injured neurons. This observation may be of importance for future pharmacological research in neurotrauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilam Palzur
- Eliachar Research Laboratory, Medical Center of the Galilee, Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, University of Bar Ilan, Naharia 22100, Israel
| | - Aviram Sharon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center of the Galilee, Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, University of Bar Ilan, Naharia 22100, Israel
| | - Mona Shehadeh
- Eliachar Research Laboratory, Medical Center of the Galilee, Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, University of Bar Ilan, Naharia 22100, Israel
| | - Jean Francois Soustiel
- Eliachar Research Laboratory, Medical Center of the Galilee, Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, University of Bar Ilan, Naharia 22100, Israel; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center of the Galilee, Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, University of Bar Ilan, Naharia 22100, Israel.
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WANG HUA, WU JINLIN. 17β-estradiol suppresses hyperoxia-induced apoptosis of oligodendrocytes through paired-immunoglobulin-like receptor B. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:2892-8. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.4808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Benmansour S, Adeniji OS, Privratsky AA, Frazer A. Effects of Long-Term Treatment with Estradiol and Estrogen Receptor Subtype Agonists on Serotonergic Function in Ovariectomized Rats. Neuroendocrinology 2016; 103:269-81. [PMID: 26159182 PMCID: PMC4698103 DOI: 10.1159/000437268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Acute estradiol treatment was reported to slow the clearance of serotonin via activation of estrogen receptors (ER)β and/or GPR30 and to block the ability of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to slow serotonin clearance via activation of ERα. In this study, the behavioral consequences of longer-term treatments with estradiol or ER subtype-selective agonists and/or an SSRI were examined in the forced swim test (FST). Ovariectomized rats were administered the following for 2 weeks: estradiol, ERβ agonist (diarylpropionitrile, DPN), GPR30 agonist (G1), ERα agonist (PPT), and/or the SSRI sertraline. Similar to sertraline, longer-term treatment with estradiol, DPN or G1 induced an antidepressant-like effect. By contrast, PPT did not, even though it blocked the antidepressant-like effect of sertraline. Uterus weights, used as a peripheral measure of estrogenic activity, were increased by estradiol and PPT but not DPN or G1 treatment. A second part of this study investigated, using Western blot analyses in homogenates from hippocampus, whether these behavioral effects are accompanied by changes in the activation of specific signaling pathways and/or TrkB. Estradiol and G1 increased phosphorylation of Akt, ERK and TrkB. These effects were similar to those obtained after treatment with sertraline. Treatment with DPN increased phosphorylation of ERK and TrkB, but it did not alter that of Akt. Treatment with PPT increased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK without altering that of TrkB. In conclusion, activation of at least TrkB and possibly ERK may be involved in the antidepressant-like effect of estradiol, ERβ and GPR30 agonists whereas Akt activation may not be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloua Benmansour
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Opeyemi S. Adeniji
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Anthony A. Privratsky
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Alan Frazer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas 78229
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas 78284, USA
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Hsieh JT, Lei B, Sheng H, Venkatraman T, Lascola CD, Warner DS, James ML. Sex-Specific Effects of Progesterone on Early Outcome of Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Neuroendocrinology 2016; 103:518-30. [PMID: 26356626 DOI: 10.1159/000440883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical evidence suggests that progesterone improves recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however, gonadal hormones have sex-specific effects. Therefore, an experimental model of ICH was used to assess recovery after progesterone administration in male and female rats. METHODS ICH was induced in male and female Wistar rats via stereotactic intrastriatal injection of clostridial collagenase (0.5 U). Animals were randomized to receive vehicle or 8 mg/kg progesterone intraperitoneally at 2 h, then subcutaneously at 5, 24, 48, and 72 h after injury. Outcomes included relevant physiology during the first 3 h, hemorrhage and edema evolution over the first 24 h, proinflammatory transcription factor and cytokine regulation at 24 h, rotarod latency and neuroseverity score over the first 7 days, and microglial activation/macrophage recruitment at 7 days after injury. RESULTS Rotarod latency (p = 0.001) and neuroseverity score (p = 0.01) were improved in progesterone-treated males, but worsened in progesterone-treated females (p = 0.028 and p = 0.008, respectively). Progesterone decreased cerebral edema (p = 0.04), microglial activation/macrophage recruitment (p < 0.001), and proinflammatory transcription factor phosphorylated nuclear factor-x03BA;B p65 expression (p = 0.0038) in males but not females, independent of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and toll-like receptor-4 expression. Cerebral perfusion was increased in progesterone-treated males at 4 h (p = 0.043) but not 24 h after injury. Hemorrhage volume, arterial blood gases, glucose, and systolic blood pressure were not affected. CONCLUSIONS Progesterone administration improved early neurobehavioral recovery and decreased secondary neuroinflammation after ICH in male rats. Paradoxically, progesterone worsened neurobehavioral recovery and did not modify neuroinflammation in female rats. Future work should isolate mechanisms of sex-specific progesterone effects after ICH.
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Wang SY, Freeman MR, Sathish V, Thompson MA, Pabelick CM, Prakash YS. Sex Steroids Influence Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Secretion From Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. J Cell Physiol 2015; 231:1586-92. [PMID: 26566264 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is emerging as an important player in airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyperreactivity. Separately, there is increasing evidence that sex hormones contribute to pathophysiology in the lung. BDNF and sex steroid signaling are thought to be intricately linked in the brain. There is currently little information on BDNF and sex steroid interactions in the airway but is relevant to understanding growth factor signaling in the context of asthma in men versus women. In this study, we assessed the effect of sex steroids on BDNF expression and secretion in human airway smooth muscle (ASM). Human ASM was treated with estrogen (E2 ) or testosterone (T, 10 nM each) and intracellular BDNF and secreted BDNF measured. E2 and T significantly reduced secretion of BDNF; effects prevented by estrogen and androgen receptor inhibitor, ICI 182,780 (1 μM), and flutamide (10 μM), respectively. Interestingly, no significant changes were observed in intracellular BDNF mRNA or protein expression. High affinity BDNF receptor, TrkB, was not altered by E2 or T. E2 (but not T) significantly increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels. Notably, Epac1 and Epac2 expression were significantly reduced by E2 and T. Furthermore, SNARE complex protein SNAP25 was decreased. Overall, these novel data suggest that physiologically relevant concentrations of E2 or T inhibit BDNF secretion in human ASM, suggesting a potential interaction of sex steroids with BDNF in the airway that is different from brain. The relevance of sex steroid-BDNF interactions may lie in their overall contribution to airway diseases such as asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Yu Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Venkatachalem Sathish
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Christina M Pabelick
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Y S Prakash
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Abstract
Recently designated as a disorder in the DSM-5, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) presents an array of avenues for further research. PMDD's profile, characterized by cognitive-affective symptoms during the premenstruum, is unique from that of other affective disorders in its symptoms and cyclicity. Neurosteroids may be a key contributor to PMDD's clinical presentation and etiology, and represent a potential avenue for drug development. This review will present recent literature on potential contributors to PMDD's pathophysiology, including neurosteroids and stress, and explore potential treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liisa Hantsoo
- Department of Psychiatry, Penn Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness, 3535 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - C. Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, Penn Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness, 3535 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Zhao L, Woody SK, Chhibber A. Estrogen receptor β in Alzheimer's disease: From mechanisms to therapeutics. Ageing Res Rev 2015; 24:178-90. [PMID: 26307455 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) disproportionally affects women and men. The female susceptibility for AD has been largely associated with the loss of ovarian sex hormones during menopause. This review examines the current understanding of the role of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in the regulation of neurological health and its implication in the development and intervention of AD. Since its discovery in 1996, research conducted over the last 15-20 years has documented a great deal of evidence indicating that ERβ plays a pivotal role in a broad spectrum of brain activities from development to aging. ERβ genetic polymorphisms have been associated with cognitive impairment and increased risk for AD predominantly in women. The role of ERβ in the intervention of AD has been demonstrated by the alteration of AD pathology in response to treatment with ERβ-selective modulators in transgenic models that display pronounced plaque and tangle histopathological presentations as well as learning and memory deficits. Future studies that explore the potential interactions between ERβ signaling and the genetic isoforms of human apolipoprotein E (APOE) in brain aging and development of AD-risk phenotype are critically needed. The current trend of lost-in-translation in AD drug development that has primarily been based on early-onset familial AD (FAD) models underscores the urgent need for novel models that recapitulate the etiology of late-onset sporadic AD (SAD), the most common form of AD representing more than 95% of the current human AD population. Combining the use of FAD-related models that generally have excellent face validity with SAD-related models that hold more reliable construct validity would together increase the predictive validity of preclinical findings for successful translation into humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
| | - Sarah K Woody
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Anindit Chhibber
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
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Giatti S, Garcia-Segura LM, Melcangi RC. New steps forward in the neuroactive steroid field. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 153:127-34. [PMID: 25797031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Evidence accumulated in recent years suggests that the systemic treatment with neuroactive steroids, or the pharmacological modulation of its production by brain cells, represent therapeutic options to promote neuroprotection. However, new findings, which are reviewed in this paper, suggest that the factors to be considered for the design of possible therapies based on neuroactive steroids are more complex than previously thought. Thus, although as recently reported, the nervous system regulates neuroactive steroid synthesis and metabolism in adaptation to modifications in peripheral steroidogenesis, the neuroactive steroid levels in the brain do not fully reflect its levels in plasma. Even, in some cases, neuroactive steroid level modifications occurring in the nervous tissues, under physiological and pathological conditions, are in the opposite direction than in the periphery. This suggests that the systemic treatment with these molecules may have unexpected outcomes on neural steroid levels. In addition, the multiple metabolic pathways and signaling mechanisms of neuroactive steroids, which may change from one brain region to another, together with the existence of regional and sex differences in its neural levels are additional sources of complexity that should be clarified. This complexity in the levels and actions of these molecules may explain why in some cases these molecules have detrimental rather than beneficial actions for the nervous system. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Steroid Perspectives'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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Braden BB, Kingston ML, Koenig EN, Lavery CN, Tsang CWS, Bimonte-Nelson HA. The GABAA antagonist bicuculline attenuates progesterone-induced memory impairments in middle-aged ovariectomized rats. Front Aging Neurosci 2015; 7:149. [PMID: 26321945 PMCID: PMC4536389 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In women, high levels of natural progesterone have been associated with detrimental cognitive effects via the “maternal amnesia” phenomenon as well as in controlled experiments. In aged ovariectomized (Ovx) rats, progesterone has been shown to impair cognition and impact the GABAergic system in cognitive brain regions. Here, we tested whether the GABAergic system is a mechanism of progesterone’s detrimental cognitive effects in the Ovx rat by attempting to reverse progesterone-induced impairments via concomitant treatment with the GABAA antagonist, bicuculline. Thirteen month old rats received Ovx plus daily vehicle, progesterone, bicuculline, or progesterone+bicuculline injections beginning 2 weeks prior to testing. The water radial-arm maze was used to evaluate spatial working and reference memory. During learning, rats administered progesterone made more working memory errors than those administered vehicle, and this impairment was reversed by the addition of bicuculline. The progesterone impairment was transient and all animals performed similarly by the end of regular testing. On the last day of testing, a 6 hour delay was administered to evaluate memory retention. Progesterone-treated rats were the only group to increase working memory errors with the delay relative to baseline performance; again, the addition of bicuculline prevented the progesterone-induced impairment. The vehicle, bicuculline, and progesterone+bicuculline groups were not impaired by the delay. The current rodent findings corroborate prior research reporting progesterone-induced detriments on cognition in women and in the aging Ovx rat. Moreover, the data suggest that the progesterone-induced cognitive impairment is, in part, related to the GABAergic system. Given that progesterone is included in numerous clinically-prescribed hormone therapies and contraceptives (e.g., micronized), and as synthetic analogs, further research is warranted to better understand the parameters and mechanism(s) of progesterone-induced cognitive impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Blair Braden
- Human Brain Mapping Laboratory, Neuroimaging, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center Phoenix, AZ, USA ; Memory and Aging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA ; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Melissa L Kingston
- Memory and Aging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Elizabeth N Koenig
- Memory and Aging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Courtney N Lavery
- Memory and Aging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Candy W S Tsang
- Memory and Aging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Heather A Bimonte-Nelson
- Memory and Aging Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA ; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Colciago A, Casati L, Negri-Cesi P, Celotti F. Learning and memory: Steroids and epigenetics. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 150:64-85. [PMID: 25766520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Memory formation and utilization is a complex process involving several brain structures in conjunction as the hippocampus, the amygdala and the adjacent cortical areas, usually defined as medial temporal lobe structures (MTL). The memory processes depend on the formation and modulation of synaptic connectivity affecting synaptic strength, synaptic plasticity and synaptic consolidation. The basic neurocognitive mechanisms of learning and memory are shortly recalled in the initial section of this paper. The effect of sex hormones (estrogens, androgens and progesterone) and of adrenocortical steroids on several aspects of memory processes are then analyzed on the basis of animal and human studies. A specific attention has been devoted to the different types of steroid receptors (membrane or nuclear) involved and on local metabolic transformations when required. The review is concluded by a short excursus on the steroid activated epigenetic mechanisms involved in memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Colciago
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Biomedicine and Endocrinology, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Lavinia Casati
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Negri-Cesi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Biomedicine and Endocrinology, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Celotti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Biomedicine and Endocrinology, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
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41
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Barron AM, Brown MA, Morgan TE, Pike CJ. Impact of continuous versus discontinuous progesterone on estradiol regulation of neuron viability and sprouting after entorhinal cortex lesion in female rats. Endocrinology 2015; 156:1091-9. [PMID: 25514084 PMCID: PMC4330320 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Because the estrogen-based hormone therapy (HT) in postmenopausal women typically contains a progestogen component, understanding the interactions between estrogens and progestogens is critical for optimizing the potential neural benefits of HT. An important issue in this regard is the use of continuous vs discontinuous hormone treatments. Although sex steroid hormone levels naturally exhibit cyclic fluctuation, many HT formulations include continuous delivery of hormones. Recent findings from our laboratory and others have shown that coadministration of progesterone (P4) can either attenuate or augment beneficial actions of 17β-estradiol (E2) in experimental models depending in part upon the delivery schedule of P4. In this study, we demonstrate that the P4 delivery schedule in combined E2 and P4 treatments alters degenerative and regenerative outcomes of unilateral entorhinal cortex lesion. We assessed how lesion-induced degeneration of layer II neurons in entorhinal cortex layer and deafferentation in dentate gyrus are affected by ovariectomy and treatments with E2 alone or in combination with either continuous or discontinuous P4. Our results demonstrate the combined efficacy of E2 and P4 is dependent on the administration regimen. Importantly, the discontinuous-combined E2+P4 regimen had the greatest neuroprotective efficacy for both end points. These data extend a growing literature that indicates qualitative differences in the neuroprotective effects of E2 as a function of cotreatment with continuous versus discontinuous P4, the understanding of which has important implications for HT in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Barron
- Davis School of Gerontology (A.M.B., M.A.B., T.E.M., C.J.P.), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089; Molecular Imaging Center (A.M.B.), National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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42
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Wu YWC, Du X, van den Buuse M, Hill RA. Analyzing the influence of BDNF heterozygosity on spatial memory response to 17β-estradiol. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e498. [PMID: 25603414 PMCID: PMC4312832 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent use of estrogen-based therapies as adjunctive treatments for the cognitive impairments of schizophrenia has produced promising results; however the mechanism behind estrogen-based cognitive enhancement is relatively unknown. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates learning and memory and its expression is highly responsive to estradiol. We recently found that estradiol modulates the expression of hippocampal parvalbumin-positive GABAergic interneurons, known to regulate neuronal synchrony and cognitive function. What is unknown is whether disruptions to the aforementioned estradiol-parvalbumin pathway alter learning and memory, and whether BDNF may mediate these events. Wild-type (WT) and BDNF heterozygous (+/-) mice were ovariectomized (OVX) at 5 weeks of age and simultaneously received empty, estradiol- or progesterone-filled implants for 7 weeks. At young adulthood, mice were tested for spatial and recognition memory in the Y-maze and novel-object recognition test, respectively. Hippocampal protein expression of BDNF and GABAergic interneuron markers, including parvalbumin, were assessed. WT OVX mice show impaired performance on Y-maze and novel-object recognition test. Estradiol replacement in OVX mice prevented the Y-maze impairment, a Behavioral abnormality of dorsal hippocampal origin. BDNF and parvalbumin protein expression in the dorsal hippocampus and parvalbumin-positive cell number in the dorsal CA1 were significantly reduced by OVX in WT mice, while E2 replacement prevented these deficits. In contrast, BDNF(+/-) mice showed either no response or an opposite response to hormone manipulation in both behavioral and molecular indices. Our data suggest that BDNF status is an important biomarker for predicting responsiveness to estrogenic compounds which have emerged as promising adjunctive therapeutics for schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y W C Wu
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - X Du
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - M van den Buuse
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - R A Hill
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia,Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, Genetics Lane, Royal Parade, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. E-mail:
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43
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Toffoletto S, Lanzenberger R, Gingnell M, Sundström-Poromaa I, Comasco E. Emotional and cognitive functional imaging of estrogen and progesterone effects in the female human brain: a systematic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 50:28-52. [PMID: 25222701 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian hormones are pivotal for the physiological maintenance of the brain function as well as its response to environmental stimuli. There is mounting evidence attesting the relevance of endogenous ovarian hormones as well as exogenous estradiol and progesterone for emotional and cognitive processing. The present review systematically summarized current knowledge on sex steroid hormonal modulation of neural substrates of emotion and cognition revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-four studies of healthy naturally cycling and combined oral contraceptives (COC) user women, or women undergoing experimental manipulations, during their reproductive age, were included. Furthermore, six studies of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a hormonally based mood disorder, and three of gender dysphoria (GD), which provides an intriguing opportunity to examine the effect of high-dose cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) on brain functioning, were included. Globally, low (early follicular and the entire follicular phase for estrogen and progesterone, respectively) and high (COC, CSHT, late follicular and luteal phase for estrogen; COC, mid- and late-luteal phase for progesterone) hormonal milieu diversely affected the response of several brain regions including the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus, but their functional recruitment across groups and domains was scattered. The constellation of findings provides initial evidence of the influence of sex steroid hormones on cortical and subcortical regions implicated in emotional and cognitive processing. Further well-powered and multimodal neuroimaging studies will be needed to identify the neural mechanism of functional brain alterations induced by sex steroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Malin Gingnell
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Women's & Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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44
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Barker JM, Taylor JR, De Vries TJ, Peters J. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and addiction: Pathological versus therapeutic effects on drug seeking. Brain Res 2014; 1628:68-81. [PMID: 25451116 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.10.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Many abused drugs lead to changes in endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in neural circuits responsible for addictive behaviors. BDNF is a known molecular mediator of memory consolidation processes, evident at both behavioral and neurophysiological levels. Specific neural circuits are responsible for storing and executing drug-procuring motor programs, whereas other neural circuits are responsible for the active suppression of these "seeking" systems. These seeking-circuits are established as associations are formed between drug-associated cues and the conditioned responses they elicit. Such conditioned responses (e.g. drug seeking) can be diminished either through a passive weakening of seeking- circuits or an active suppression of those circuits through extinction. Extinction learning occurs when the association between cues and drug are violated, for example, by cue exposure without the drug present. Cue exposure therapy has been proposed as a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of addictions. Here we explore the role of BDNF in extinction circuits, compared to seeking-circuits that "incubate" over prolonged withdrawal periods. We begin by discussing the role of BDNF in extinction memory for fear and cocaine-seeking behaviors, where extinction circuits overlap in infralimbic prefrontal cortex (PFC). We highlight the ability of estrogen to promote BDNF-like effects in hippocampal-prefrontal circuits and consider the role of sex differences in extinction and incubation of drug-seeking behaviors. Finally, we examine how opiates and alcohol "break the mold" in terms of BDNF function in extinction circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M Barker
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jane R Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Taco J De Vries
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jamie Peters
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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Involvement of pregnane xenobiotic receptor in mating-induced allopregnanolone formation in the midbrain and hippocampus and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus among female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3375-90. [PMID: 24781516 PMCID: PMC4135012 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3569-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Given that the pregnane neurosteroid, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), is increased following behavioral challenges (e.g., mating), and that there is behavioral-induced biosynthesis of 3α,5α-THP in midbrain and mesocorticolimbic structures, 3α,5α-THP likely has a role in homeostasis and motivated reproduction and reproduction-related behaviors (e.g., affect, affiliation). The role of pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR), involved in cholesterol metabolism, for these effects is of continued interest. OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that there would be differences in brain levels of 3α,5α-THP following varied behavioral experiences, an effect abrogated by knockdown of PXR in the midbrain. METHODS Proestrous rats were infused with PXR antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODNs) or vehicle to the ventral tegmental area before different behavioral manipulations and assessments. Endpoints were expression levels of PXR in the midbrain, 3α,5α-THP, and ovarian steroids (estradiol, progesterone, dihydroprogesterone) in the midbrain, striatum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, and plasma. RESULTS Across experiments, knocking down PXR reduced PXR expression and 3α,5α-THP levels in the midbrain and hippocampus. There were differences in terms of the behavioral manipulations, such that paced mating had the most robust effects to increase 3α,5α-THP levels and reduce open field exploration and social interaction. An additional question that was addressed is whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a downstream factor for regulating effects of behavioral-induced 3α,5α-THP biosynthesis. Rats infused with PXR AS-ODNs had lower levels of BDNF in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION Thus, PXR may be a regulator of mating-induced 3α,5α-THP formation and behavioral changes and neural plasticity, such as BDNF.
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Fortress AM, Kim J, Poole RL, Gould TJ, Frick KM. 17β-Estradiol regulates histone alterations associated with memory consolidation and increases Bdnf promoter acetylation in middle-aged female mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:457-67. [PMID: 25128537 PMCID: PMC4138358 DOI: 10.1101/lm.034033.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Histone acetylation is essential for hippocampal memory formation in young adult rodents. Although dysfunctional histone acetylation has been associated with age-related memory decline in male rodents, little is known about whether histone acetylation is altered by aging in female rodents. In young female mice, the ability of 17β-estradiol (E2) to enhance object recognition memory consolidation requires histone H3 acetylation in the dorsal hippocampus. However, the extent to which histone acetylation is regulated by E2 in middle-aged females is unknown. The mnemonic benefits of E2 in aging females appear to be greatest in middle age, and so pinpointing the molecular mechanisms through which E2 enhances memory at this age could lead to the development of safer and more effective treatments for maintaining memory function without the side effects of current therapies. Here, we show that dorsal hippocampal infusion of E2 rapidly enhanced object recognition and spatial memory, and increased histone H3 acetylation in the dorsal hippocampus, while also significantly reducing levels of histone deacetylase (HDAC2 and HDAC3) proteins. E2 specifically increased histone H3 acetylation at Bdnf promoters pII and pIV in the dorsal hippocampus of both young and middle-aged mice, despite age-related decreases in pI and pIV acetylation. Furthermore, levels of mature BDNF and pro-BDNF proteins in the dorsal hippocampus were increased by E2 in middle-aged females. Together, these data suggest that the middle-aged female dorsal hippocampus remains epigenetically responsive to E2, and that E2 may enhance memory in middle-aged females via epigenetic regulation of Bdnf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Fortress
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA
| | - Jaekyoon Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA
| | - Rachel L Poole
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
| | - Thomas J Gould
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA
| | - Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA
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47
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Phytoestrogen α-zearalanol improves memory impairment and hippocampal neurogenesis in ovariectomized mice. ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014:862019. [PMID: 25143992 PMCID: PMC4131096 DOI: 10.1155/2014/862019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen is known to provide robust protection of memory in postmenopausal women, but the fact that estrogen may increase the incidence of uterine and breast tumors has undoubtedly limited the clinical use of estrogen. In the present study, the effect of α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), a plant-derived phytoestrogen with low side-effect on uterine and breast, on memory has been evaluated in ovariectomized (OVX) mice when using 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) as an estrogen positive control. Our findings demonstrated that OVX resulted in impaired spatial learning and memory and reduced numbers of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, while 17β-E2 or α-ZAL treatment significantly improved memory performance and restored hippocampal neurogenesis. We also found the reduction of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB expression in OVX mice, which were ameliorated by 17β-E2 or α-ZAL supplementation. These results indicated that α-ZAL may improve memory impairments induced by OVX and modulate the expression of BDNF-TrkB benefit to neurogenesis which may be involved in the memory protection from α-ZAL, in a manner similar to that of 17β-E2. The present findings suggested that α-ZAL may be a plausible substitute of 17β-E2 in improving memory in postmenopausal women.
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Dynorphin up-regulation in the dentate granule cell mossy fiber pathway following chronic inhibition of GluN2B-containing NMDAR is associated with increased CREB (Ser 133) phosphorylation, but is independent of BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways. Mol Cell Neurosci 2014; 60:63-71. [PMID: 24769103 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that neuronal responses to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDAR) activation/inactivation are influenced by subunit composition. For example, activation of synaptic NMDAR (comprised of GluN2A>GluN2B) phosphorylates cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) at Ser 133, induces BDNF expression and promotes neuronal survival. Activation of extrasynaptic NMDAR (comprised of GluN2B>GluN2) dephosphorylates CREB (Ser 133), reduces BDNF expression and triggers neuronal death. These results led us to hypothesize that chronic inhibition of GluN2B-containing NMDAR would increase CREB (Ser 133) phosphorylation, increase BDNF levels and subsequently alter downstream dynorphin (DYN) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression. We focused on DYN and NPY because these neuropeptides can decrease excitatory neurotransmission and seizure occurrence and we reported previously that seizure-like events are reduced following chronic treatment with GluN2B antagonists. Consistent with our hypothesis, chronic treatment (17-21days) of hippocampal slice cultures with the GluN2B-selective antagonists ifenprodil or Ro25,6981 increased both CREB (Ser 133) phosphorylation and granule cell mossy fiber pathway DYN expression. Similar treatment with the non-subtype-selective NMDAR antagonists d-APV or memantine had no significant effect on either CREB (Ser 133) phosphorylation or DYN expression. In contrast to our hypothesis, BDNF levels were decreased following chronic treatment with Ro25,6981, but not ifenprodil, d-APV or memantine. Blockade of BDNF actions and TrkB activation did not significantly augment hilar DYN expression in vehicle-treated cultures and had no effect in Ro25,6981 treated cultures. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to GluN2B-selective NMDAR antagonists increased DYN expression through a putatively pCREB-dependent, but BDNF/TrkB-independent mechanism.
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Jayaraman A, Pike CJ. Differential effects of synthetic progestagens on neuron survival and estrogen neuroprotection in cultured neurons. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 384:52-60. [PMID: 24424444 PMCID: PMC3954450 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone and other progestagens are used in combination with estrogens for clinical purposes, including contraception and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Progesterone and estrogens have interactive effects in brain, however interactions between synthetic progestagens and 17β-estradiol (E2) in neurons are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of seven clinically relevant progestagens on estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA expression, E2-induced neuroprotection, and E2-induced BDNF mRNA expression. We found that medroxyprogesterone acetate decreased both ERα and ERβ expression and blocked E2-mediated neuroprotection and BDNF expression. Conversely, levonorgestrel and nesterone increased ERα and or ERβ expression, were neuroprotective, and failed to attenuate E2-mediated increases in neuron survival and BDNF expression. Other progestagens tested, including norethindrone, norethindrone acetate, norethynodrel, and norgestimate, had variable effects on the measured endpoints. Our results demonstrate a range of qualitatively different actions of progestagens in cultured neurons, suggesting significant variability in the neural effects of clinically utilized progestagens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Jayaraman
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Christian J Pike
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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Frey BN, Dias RS. Sex hormones and biomarkers of neuroprotection and neurodegeneration: implications for female reproductive events in bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2014; 16:48-57. [PMID: 24206266 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have suggested that women with bipolar disorder are at higher risk for mood episodes during periods of intense hormonal fluctuation (e.g., premenstrual, postpartum, perimenopause). There is converging literature showing that estrogen and progesterone can modulate neurotransmitter systems and intracellular signaling pathways known to be affected by mood stabilizing agents. Here, we critically review clinical aspects of reproductive cycle events in women with bipolar disorder and preclinical studies, with a focus on the functional interactions between sex hormones and biomarkers of neuroprotection and neurodegeneration that are thought to be involved in the neurobiology of bipolar disorder: brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxidative stress, and inflammation. METHODS A MedLine search using estrogen, progesterone, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxidative stress, and inflammation as key words was conducted. RESULTS Data showed that estrogen and progesterone closely interact with brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxidative stress, and inflammation pathways. CONCLUSIONS This relationship between sex hormones and the pathways of neuroprotection/neurodegeneration may be relevant to the psychopathological aspects of bipolar disorder in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benicio N Frey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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