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Giatti S, Cioffi L, Diviccaro S, Piazza R, Melcangi RC. Analysis of the finasteride treatment and its withdrawal in the rat hypothalamus and hippocampus at whole-transcriptome level. J Endocrinol Invest 2024:10.1007/s40618-024-02345-y. [PMID: 38493246 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-024-02345-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE As reported in patients treated for androgenetic alopecia with finasteride (i.e., a blocker of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase) and in an animal model, side effects affecting sexual, psychiatric, neurological, and physical domains, may occur during the treatment and persist with drug suspension. The etiopathogenesis of these side effects has been poorly explored. Therefore, we performed a genome-wide analysis of finasteride effects in the brain of adult male rat. METHODS Animals were treated (i.e., for 20 days) with finasteride (1mg/rat/day). 24 h after the last treatment and 1 month after drug suspension, RNA sequencing analysis was performed in hypothalamus and hippocampus. Data were analyzed by differential expression analysis and Gene-Set Enrichment Analyses (GSEA). RESULTS Data obtained after finasteride treatment showed that 186 genes (i.e., 171 up- and 15 downregulated) and 19 (i.e., 17 up- and 2 downregulated) were differentially expressed in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, respectively. Differential expression analysis at the drug withdrawal failed to identify dysregulated genes. Several gene-sets were enriched in these brain areas at both time points. CONCLUSION Some of the genes reported to be differentially expressed (i.e., TTR, DIO2, CLDN1, CLDN2, SLC4A5, KCNE2, CROT, HCRT, MARCKSL1, VGF, IRF2BPL) and GSEA, suggest a potential link with specific side effects previously observed in patients and in the animal model, such as depression, anxiety, disturbance in memory and attention, and sleep disturbance. These data may provide an important background for future experiments aimed at confirming the pathological role of these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - L Cioffi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - S Diviccaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - R Piazza
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - R C Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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Llano DA, Devanarayan P, Devanarayan V. CSF peptides from VGF and other markers enhance prediction of MCI to AD progression using the ATN framework. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 121:15-27. [PMID: 36368195 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The amyloid beta, tau, neurodegenerative markers framework has been proposed to serve as a system to classify and combine biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Although cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid AT (amyloid beta and tau)-based biomarkers have a well-established track record to distinguish AD from control subjects and to predict conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD, there is not an established non-tau based neurodegenerative ("N") marker from CSF. Here, we examine the ability of several candidate peptides in the CSF to serve as "N" markers to both classify disease state and predict MCI to AD conversion. We observed that although many putative N markers involved in synaptic processing and neuroinflammation were able to, when examined in isolation, distinguish MCI converters from non-converters, a derivative from VGF, when combined with AT markers, most strongly enhanced prediction of MCI to AD conversion. Low CSF VGF levels were also predictive of MCI to dementia conversion in the setting of normal AT markers, suggesting that it may serve as a very early predictor of dementia conversion. Other markers derived from neuronal pentraxin 2, GAP-43 and a 14-3-3 protein were also able to enhance MCI to AD prediction when used as a marker of neurodegeneration, but VGF had the highest predictive capacity. Thus, we propose that low levels of VGF in CSF may serve as "N" in the amyloid beta, tau, neurodegenerative markers framework to enhance the prediction of MCI to AD conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Llano
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle Neuroscience Institute, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Priya Devanarayan
- Department of Biology and Schreyer Honors College, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Viswanath Devanarayan
- Eisai, Inc., Nutley, NJ, USA; Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Joshi R, Salton SRJ. Neurotrophin Crosstalk in the Etiology and Treatment of Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:932497. [PMID: 35909451 PMCID: PMC9335126 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.932497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the current progress in our understanding of the mechanisms by which growth factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and select neurotrophin-regulated gene products, such as VGF (non-acronymic) and VGF-derived neuropeptides, function in the central nervous system (CNS) to modulate neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, with a discussion of the possible therapeutic applications of these growth factors to major depressive disorder (MDD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). BDNF and VEGF levels are generally decreased regionally in the brains of MDD subjects and in preclinical animal models of depression, changes that are associated with neuronal atrophy and reduced neurogenesis, and are reversed by conventional monoaminergic and novel ketamine-like antidepressants. Downstream of neurotrophins and their receptors, VGF was identified as a nerve growth factor (NGF)- and BDNF-inducible secreted protein and neuropeptide precursor that is produced and trafficked throughout the CNS, where its expression is greatly influenced by neuronal activity and exercise, and where several VGF-derived peptides modulate neuronal activity, function, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Moreover, levels of VGF are reduced in the CSF of AD subjects, where it has been repetitively identified as a disease biomarker, and in the hippocampi of subjects with MDD, suggesting possible shared mechanisms by which reduced levels of VGF and other proteins that are similarly regulated by neurotrophin signaling pathways contribute to and potentially drive the pathogenesis and progression of co-morbid neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, particularly MDD and AD, opening possible therapeutic windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Joshi
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephen R. J. Salton
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Stephen R. J. Salton,
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Wang Y, Qin X, Han Y, Li B. VGF: A prospective biomarker and therapeutic target for neuroendocrine and nervous system disorders. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113099. [PMID: 35594706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine regulatory polypeptide VGF (nerve growth factor inducible) was firstly found in the rapid induction of nerve growth factor on PC12 cells. It was selectively distributed in neurons and many neuroendocrine tissues. This paper reviewed the latest literatures on the gene structure, transcriptional regulation, protein processing, distribution and potential receptors of VGF. The neuroendocrine roles of VGF and its derived polypeptides in regulating energy, water electrolyte balance, circadian rhythm and reproductive activities were also summarized. Furthermore, based on the experimental evidence in vivo and in vitro, dysregulation of VGF in different neuroendocrine diseases and the possible mechanism mediated by VGF polypeptides were discussed. We next discussed the potential as the clinical diagnosis and therapy for VGF related diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibei Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China; Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Qin
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Yun Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
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Mizoguchi T, Fujimori H, Ohba T, Shimazawa M, Nakamura S, Shinohara M, Hara H. Glutamatergic dysfunction is associated with phenotypes of VGF-overexpressing mice. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2051-2060. [PMID: 35587282 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06384-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) is a neuropeptide precursor, which is induced by several neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Clinically, an upregulation of VGF levels has been reported in the cerebrospinal fluid and prefrontal cortex of patients with schizophrenia. In our previous study, mice overexpressing VGF exhibited schizophrenia-related behaviors. In the current study, we characterized the biochemical changes in the brains of VGF-overexpressing mice. Metabolomics analysis of neurotransmitters revealed that glutamic acid and N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid were increased in the striatum of VGF-overexpressing mice. Additionally, the present study revealed that MK-801, which causes the disturbance in glutamic acid metabolism, increased the expression level of VGF-derived peptide (NAPP129, named VGF20), and VGF-overexpressing mice had higher sensitivity to MK-801. These results suggest that VGF may modulate the regulation of glutamic acid levels and the degree of glutamic acid signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Mizoguchi
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Honoka Fujimori
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Takuya Ohba
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Shimazawa
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan.
| | - Shinsuke Nakamura
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Masakazu Shinohara
- The Integrated Center for Mass Spectrometry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.,Division of Epidemiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hara
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
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Stephens SBZ, Kauffman AS. Estrogen Regulation of the Molecular Phenotype and Active Translatome of AVPV Kisspeptin Neurons. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6226761. [PMID: 33856454 PMCID: PMC8286094 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In females, ovarian estradiol (E2) exerts both negative and positive feedback regulation on the neural circuits governing reproductive hormone secretion, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this remain poorly understood. In rodents, estrogen receptor α-expressing kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular region (AVPV) are prime candidates to mediate E2 positive feedback induction of preovulatory gonadotropin-releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH) surges. E2 stimulates AVPV Kiss1 expression, but the full extent of estrogen effects in these neurons is unknown; whether E2 stimulates or inhibits other genes in AVPV Kiss1 cells has not been determined. Indeed, understanding of the function(s) of AVPV kisspeptin cells is limited, in part, by minimal knowledge of their overall molecular phenotype, as only a few genes are currently known to be co-expressed in AVPV Kiss1 cells. To provide a more detailed profiling of co-expressed genes in AVPV Kiss1 cells, including receptors and other signaling factors, and test how these genes respond to E2, we selectively isolated actively translated mRNAs from AVPV Kiss1 cells of female mice and performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). This identified >13 000 mRNAs co-expressed in AVPV Kiss1 cells, including multiple receptor and ligand transcripts positively or negatively regulated by E2. We also performed RNAscope to validate co-expression of several transcripts identified by RNA-seq, including Pdyn (prodynorphin), Penk (proenkephalin), Vgf (VGF), and Cartpt (CART), in female AVPV Kiss1 cells. Given the important role of AVPV kisspeptin cells in positive feedback, E2 effects on identified genes may relate to the LH surge mechanism and/or other physiological processes involving these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon B Z Stephens
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Alexander S Kauffman
- Department of OBGYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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An increase in VGF expression through a rapid, transcription-independent, autofeedback mechanism improves cognitive function. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:383. [PMID: 34238925 PMCID: PMC8266826 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01489-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of neuropeptides from dense core vesicles (DCVs) modulates neuronal activity and plays a critical role in cognitive function and emotion. The granin family is considered a master regulator of DCV biogenesis and the release of DCV cargo molecules. The expression of the VGF protein (nonacronymic), a secreted neuropeptide precursor that also belongs to the extended granin family, has been previously shown to be induced in the brain by hippocampus-dependent learning, and its downregulation is mechanistically linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other mood disorders. Currently, whether changes in translational efficiency of Vgf and other granin mRNAs may be associated and regulated with learning associated neural activity remains largely unknown. Here, we show that either contextual fear memory training or the administration of TLQP-62, a peptide derived from the C-terminal region of the VGF precursor, acutely increases the translation of VGF and other granin proteins, such as CgB and Scg2, via an mTOR-dependent signaling pathway in the absence of measurable increases in mRNA expression. Luciferase-based reporter assays confirmed that the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of the Vgf mRNA represses VGF translation. Consistently, the truncation of the endogenous Vgf mRNA 3'UTR results in substantial increases in VGF protein expression both in cultured primary neurons and in brain tissues from knock in mice expressing a 3'UTR-truncation mutant encoded by the modified Vgf gene. Importantly, Vgf 3'UTR-truncated mice exhibit enhanced memory performance and reduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Our results therefore reveal a rapid, transcription-independent induction of VGF and other granin proteins after learning that are triggered by the VGF-derived peptide TLQP-62. Our findings suggest that the rapid, positive feedforward increase in the synthesis of granin family proteins might be a general mechanism to replenish DCV cargo molecules that have been released in response to neuronal activation and is crucial for memory function and mood stability.
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Kamyshna I, Kamyshnyi A. Transcriptional Activity of Neurotrophins Genes and Their Receptors in the Peripheral Blood in Patients with Thyroid Diseases in Bukovinian Population of Ukraine. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2021.6037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. Thyroid hormone has an especially strong impact on central nervous system development, and thyroid hormone deficiency has been shown to result in severe mental retardation. It is crucial to identify compensatory mechanisms that can be involved in improving cognitive function and the quality of life of patients with hypothyroidism.
Methods: We used the pathway-specific PCR array (Neurotrophins and Receptors RT2 Profiler PCR Array, QIAGEN, Germany) to identify and validate neurotrophins genes and their receptor expression in patients with thyroid pathology and control group.
Results: The analysis of gene expression of neurotrophins and their receptors showed that CRHBP, FRS2, FRS3, GFRA1, GFRA2, GMFB, NGF, NRG2, NRG4, NTF4, TRO, and VGF significantly decreased their expression in Group 3, which includes the patients with postoperative hypothyroidism. The patients with primary hypothyroidism stemming from AIT had significantly reduced expression of CRHBP, GFRA1, GFRA2, GMFB, NGF, PTGER2, and VGF, while the expression of NRG4 and TRO increased. In Group 3, which includes the patients with AIT and elevated serum anti-Tg and anti-TPO autoantibodies, the mRNA levels of GFRA2, NGF, NRG2, NTF4, NGF, PTGER were reduced, and the expression of CRHBP, FRS2, FRS3 GFRA1, GMFB, NRG4, TRO, and VGF significantly increased.
Conclusion: These results indicate significant variability in the transcriptional activity of the genes of encoding neurotrophins and their receptors in the peripheral blood in people with thyroid diseases.
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Cho K, Jang YJ, Lee SJ, Jeon YN, Shim YL, Lee JY, Lim DS, Kim DH, Yoon SY. TLQP-21 mediated activation of microglial BV2 cells promotes clearance of extracellular fibril amyloid-β. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 524:764-771. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.01.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Bresciani E, Possenti R, Coco S, Rizzi L, Meanti R, Molteni L, Locatelli V, Torsello A. TLQP-21, A VGF-Derived Peptide Endowed of Endocrine and Extraendocrine Properties: Focus on In Vitro Calcium Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010130. [PMID: 31878142 PMCID: PMC6982260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
VGF gene encodes for a neuropeptide precursor of 68 kDa composed by 615 (human) and 617 (rat, mice) residues, expressed prevalently in the central nervous system (CNS), but also in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and in various endocrine cells. This precursor undergoes proteolytic cleavage, generating a family of peptides different in length and biological activity. Among them, TLQP-21, a peptide of 21 amino acids, has been widely investigated for its relevant endocrine and extraendocrine activities. The complement complement C3a receptor-1 (C3aR1) has been suggested as the TLQP-21 receptor and, in different cell lines, its activation by TLQP-21 induces an increase of intracellular Ca2+. This effect relies both on Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and extracellular Ca2+ entry. The latter depends on stromal interaction molecules (STIM)-Orai1 interaction or transient receptor potential channel (TRPC) involvement. After Ca2+ entry, the activation of outward K+-Ca2+-dependent currents, mainly the KCa3.1 currents, provides a membrane polarizing influence which offset the depolarizing action of Ca2+ elevation and indirectly maintains the driving force for optimal Ca2+ increase in the cytosol. In this review, we address the main endocrine and extraendocrine actions displayed by TLQP-21, highlighting recent findings on its mechanism of action and its potential in different pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (L.R.); (R.M.); (L.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Roberta Possenti
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy;
| | - Silvia Coco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (L.R.); (R.M.); (L.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.)
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (L.R.); (R.M.); (L.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.)
| | - Ramona Meanti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (L.R.); (R.M.); (L.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.)
| | - Laura Molteni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (L.R.); (R.M.); (L.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.)
| | - Vittorio Locatelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (L.R.); (R.M.); (L.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.)
| | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (S.C.); (L.R.); (R.M.); (L.M.); (V.L.); (A.T.)
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VGF peptides as novel biomarkers in Parkinson's disease. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 379:93-107. [PMID: 31713727 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). At disease onset, a diagnosis is often difficult. VGF peptides are abundant in the SN and peripheral circulation; hence, we investigate whether their plasma profile may reflect the brain dopamine reduction. Using antibodies against the VGF C-terminal portion, we analyzed the rat brain and human plasma, with immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Rats were unilaterally lesioned with 6-hyroxydopamine and sacrificed either 3 or 6 weeks later with or without levodopa treatment. Plasma samples were obtained from PD patients, either at the time of diagnosis (group 1, drug naïve, n = 23) or upon dopamine replacement (group 2, 1-6 years, n = 24; group 3, > 6 years, n = 16), compared with age-matched control subjects (group 4, n = 21). Assessment of the olfactory function was carried out in group 2 using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test. VGF immunoreactivity was present in GABAergic neurons and, on the lesioned side, it was reduced at 3 weeks and abolished at 6 weeks after lesion. Conversely, upon levopoda, VGF labeling was restored. In PD patients, VGF levels were reduced at the time of diagnosis (1504 ± 587 vs. 643 ± 348 pmol/mL, means ± S.E.M: control vs. naïve; p < 0.05) but were comparable with the controls after long-term drug treatment (> 6 years). A linear correlation was demonstrated between VGF immunoreactivity and disease duration, levodopa equivalent dose and olfactory dysfunction. Plasma VGF levels may represent a useful biomarker, especially in the early stages of PD.
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VGF in Cerebrospinal Fluid Combined With Conventional Biomarkers Enhances Prediction of Conversion From MCI to AD. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2019; 33:307-314. [PMID: 31305322 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous work has suggested that the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of a neural protein involved in synaptic transmission, VGF (a noninitialism), may be altered in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer Disease (AD). The objective of the current work is to examine the potential of CSF levels of a peptide derived from VGF to predict conversion from MCI to AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using multivariate analytical approaches, the performance of the conventional biomarkers (CSF Aβ1-42 and phosphorylated tau +/- hippocampal volume) was compared with the same biomarkers combined with CSF VGF peptide levels in a large publicly available data set from human subjects. RESULTS It was observed that VGF peptides are lowered in CSF of patients with AD compared with controls and that combinations of CSF Aβ1-42 and phosphorylated tau, hippocampal volume, and VGF peptide levels outperformed conventional biomarkers alone (hazard ratio=2.2 vs. 3.9), for predicting MCI to AD conversion. CONCLUSIONS CSF VGF enhances the ability of conventional biomarkers to predict MCI to AD conversion. Future work will be needed to determine the specificity of VGF for AD versus other neurodegenerative diseases.
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VGF: a biomarker and potential target for the treatment of neuropathic pain? Pain Rep 2019; 4:e786. [PMID: 31875189 PMCID: PMC6882576 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Neuropathic pain (NP) remains an area of considerable unmet medical need. A persistent challenge in the management of NP is to target the specific mechanisms leading to a change from normal to abnormal sensory perception while ensuring that the defensive pain perception remains intact. Targeting VGF-derived neuropeptides may offer this opportunity. VGF was first identified in 1985 and is highly expressed after nerve injury and inflammation in neurons of both the peripheral and central nervous system. Subsequent studies implicate the vgf gene and its products in pain pathways. This narrative review was supported by a systematic search to identify, select, and critically appraise all relevant research investigating the role of VGF-derived neuropeptides in pain pathways. It predominantly focuses on in vivo investigations of the role of VGF in the initiation and maintenance of NP. VGF expression levels are very low under normal physiological conditions and nerve injury results in rapid and robust upregulation, increasing mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. The identification of the 2 complement receptors with which VGF neuropeptides interact suggests a novel interplay of neuronal and immune signalling mediators. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms and signalling events by which VGF-derived active neuropeptides exert their physiological actions is in its infancy. Future work should aim to improve understanding of the downstream consequences of VGF neuropeptides thereby providing novel insights into pain mechanisms potentially leading to the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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VGF has Roles in the Pathogenesis of Major Depressive Disorder and Schizophrenia: Evidence from Transgenic Mouse Models. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:721-727. [PMID: 31037515 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00681-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mental disorders, such as major depressive disorder and schizophrenia, are complex multigenetic conditions, but focused studies of single genes might reveal genes involved in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, including major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Several candidate genes have been identified using transgenic mice. VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) is a neuropeptide expression of which is induced by nerve growth factor (NGF). VGF is robustly and exclusively synthesized in neuronal and neuroendocrine cells. In central nervous system (CNS), VGF is extensively expressed especially in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. VGF has many roles in the CNS, such as promotion of synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neurite outgrowth. In clinical studies, altered expression and genetic mutations of VGF have been reported in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. On this basis, studies using transgenic mice to overexpress or knockout VGF have been performed to investigate the roles of upregulation or downregulation of VGF. In this review, we will discuss studies of the roles of VGF using transgenic mice and its relevance to pathologies in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.
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Sahoo S, S. B. Pharmacogenomic assessment of herbal drugs in affective disorders. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 109:1148-1162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Chen S, Jiang H, Hou Z, Yue Y, Zhang Y, Zhao F, Xu Z, Li Y, Mou X, Li L, Wang T, Zhao J, Han C, Sui Y, Wang M, Yang Z, Lu Y, Zhu Y, Li J, Shen X, Sun F, Chen Q, Yuan Y. Higher serum VGF protein levels discriminate bipolar depression from major depressive disorder. J Neurosci Res 2018; 97:597-606. [PMID: 30575991 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Misdiagnosis between major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BD) is quite common. Our previous study found significantly lower serum VGF (non-acronymic) in MDD patients. However, it is unclear whether same changes occur in BD patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum VGF levels in BD and MDD patients. General information, scores of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and fasting blood samples of all participants including 30 MDD patients, 20 BD patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC) were collected. Serum VGF levels were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze correlations between serum VGF levels and clinical information. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and likelihood ratios (LRs) were used to analyze the differential potential of serum VGF. Serum VGF levels were significantly lower in MDD patients but higher in BD patients compared with HC (both PTukey < 0.01). No correlation was found between serum VGF levels and any data of subjects. The optimal cutoff for serum VGF in discriminating BD patients from MDD patients was ≥1093.85 pg/ml (AUC = 0.990, sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 100% and accuracy of 95%). LRs further confirmed the differential efficiency of serum VGF in distinguishing BD and MDD patients with +LR of infinity and -LR of 0. The results suggest that serum VGF level changed significantly in MDD and BD patients and serum VGF may be an indicator for differentiating BD patients from MDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzhen Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Haitang Jiang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhenhua Hou
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yingying Yue
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuqun Zhang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fuying Zhao
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhi Xu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yinghui Li
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Mou
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Chongyang Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuxiu Sui
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Changshu, Suzhou, PR China
| | - Zhong Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Changshu, Suzhou, PR China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People's Hospital of Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, PR China
| | - Yifeng Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People's Hospital of Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, PR China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, PR China
| | - Xinhua Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, PR China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second People's Hospital of Jingjiang, Taizhou, PR China
| | - Qingsong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second People's Hospital of Jingjiang, Taizhou, PR China
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.,Institute of Psychosomatics, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
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Maejima S, Abe Y, Yamaguchi S, Musatov S, Ogawa S, Kondo Y, Tsukahara S. VGF in the Medial Preoptic Nucleus Increases Sexual Activity Following Sexual Arousal Induction in Male Rats. Endocrinology 2018; 159:3993-4005. [PMID: 30371765 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The central part of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNc) is associated with sexual arousal induction in male rats. However, it is largely unclear how males are sexually aroused and achieve their first copulation. We previously reported that more MPNc neurons activate during the first copulation than the second copulation. In this study, to explore the molecules responsible for sexual arousal induction, we performed DNA microarray of the MPNc in sexually naive males and males after they copulated for their first and second times. We then performed quantitative PCR analyses to validate the results of the DNA microarray. Six genes were identified. Their expression increased following copulation and was higher in males after they copulated for the first time than after the second time. The genes encode transcription factors (Fos, Nfil3, and Nr4a3), a serine/threonine kinase (Sik1), an antioxidant protein (Srxn1), and a neuropeptide precursor VGF (Vgf), which may be the candidate genes responsible for sexual arousal induction. We examined the effects of Vgf knockdown in the MPNc on sexual partner preference and sexual behavior in sexually inexperienced and experienced males to determine the role of VGF in sexual arousal induction. A preference for estrous female rats was reinforced, and the latency of mount and intromission became short after sexually inexperienced males copulated for the first time. However, Vgf knockdown disrupted these phenomena. Vgf knockdown did not have any significant effect in sexually experienced males. VGF-derived neuropeptides presumably serve as an effector molecule to increase sexual activity following sexual arousal induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Maejima
- Area of Life-NanoBio, Division of Strategy Research, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yuta Abe
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shohei Yamaguchi
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Sergei Musatov
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Sonoko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Kondo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, Uenohara, Japan
| | - Shinji Tsukahara
- Area of Life-NanoBio, Division of Strategy Research, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan
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Takeuchi H, Inagaki S, Morozumi W, Nakano Y, Inoue Y, Kuse Y, Mizoguchi T, Nakamura S, Funato M, Kaneko H, Hara H, Shimazawa M. VGF nerve growth factor inducible is involved in retinal ganglion cells death induced by optic nerve crush. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16443. [PMID: 30401804 PMCID: PMC6219571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34585-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) is a polypeptide that is induced by neurotrophic factors and is involved in neurite growth and neuroprotection. The mRNA of the Vgf gene has been detected in the adult rat retina, however the roles played by VGF in the retina are still undetermined. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of VGF on the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of mice in the optic nerve crush (ONC) model, rat-derived primary cultured RGCs and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived RGCs. The mRNA and protein of Vgf were upregulated after the ONC. Immunostaining showed that the VGF was located in glial cells including Müller glia and astrocytes but not in the retinal neurons and their axons. AQEE-30, a VGF peptide, suppressed the loss of RGCs induced by the ONC, and it increased survival rat-derived RGCs and promoted the outgrowth of neurites of rat and human iPSCs derived RGCs in vitro. These findings indicate that VGF plays important roles in neuronal degeneration and has protective effects against the ONC on RGCs. Thus, VGF should be considered as a treatment of RGCs degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Takeuchi
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inagaki
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.,Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Wataru Morozumi
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yukimichi Nakano
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yuki Inoue
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Kuse
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takahiro Mizoguchi
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nakamura
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Michinori Funato
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideo Kaneko
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hara
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Shimazawa
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.
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Jiang C, Lin WJ, Sadahiro M, Labonté B, Menard C, Pfau ML, Tamminga CA, Turecki G, Nestler EJ, Russo SJ, Salton SR. VGF function in depression and antidepressant efficacy. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:1632-1642. [PMID: 29158577 PMCID: PMC5962361 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a critical effector of depression-like behaviors and antidepressant responses. Here, we show that VGF (non-acronymic), which is robustly regulated by BDNF/TrkB signaling, is downregulated in hippocampus (male/female) and upregulated in nucleus accumbens (NAc) (male) in depressed human subjects and in mice subjected to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-Cre-mediated Vgf ablation in floxed VGF mice, in dorsal hippocampus (dHc) or NAc, led to pro-depressant or antidepressant behaviors, respectively, while dHc- or NAc-AAV-VGF overexpression induced opposite outcomes. Mice with reduced VGF levels in the germ line (Vgf+/-) or in dHc (AAV-Cre-injected floxed mice) showed increased susceptibility to CSDS and impaired responses to ketamine treatment in the forced swim test. Floxed mice with conditional pan-neuronal (Synapsin-Cre) but not those with forebrain (αCaMKII-Cre) Vgf ablation displayed increased susceptibility to subthreshold social defeat stress, suggesting that neuronal VGF, expressed in part in inhibitory interneurons, regulates depression-like behavior. Acute antibody-mediated sequestration of VGF-derived C-terminal peptides AQEE-30 and TLQP-62 in dHc induced pro-depressant effects. Conversely, dHc TLQP-62 infusion had rapid antidepressant efficacy, which was reduced in BDNF floxed mice injected in dHc with AAV-Cre, and in NBQX- and rapamycin-pretreated wild-type mice, these compounds blocking α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, respectively. VGF is therefore a critical modulator of depression-like behaviors in dHc and NAc. In hippocampus, the antidepressant response to ketamine is associated with rapid VGF translation, is impaired by reduced VGF expression, and as previously reported, requires coincident, rapid BDNF translation and release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Wei-Jye Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Masato Sadahiro
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Benoit Labonté
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Caroline Menard
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Madeline L. Pfau
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Carol A. Tamminga
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott J. Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Stephen R. Salton
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Department of Geriatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA,Corresponding author: Dr. Stephen R. Salton, Department of Neuroscience, Box 1639, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York NY, 10029 USA Tel: 1-212-824-9308; Fax: 1-646-537-9583;
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Ersland KM, Skrede S, Stansberg C, Steen VM. Subchronic olanzapine exposure leads to increased expression of myelination-related genes in rat fronto-medial cortex. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:1262. [PMID: 29187753 PMCID: PMC5802494 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-017-0008-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder with severe and disabling symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, blunted affect and social withdrawal. The neuropathology remains elusive, but disturbances in immunity-related processes, neuronal connectivity and myelination have consistently been linked to schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs can be efficient in reducing symptoms, acting primarily on the dopamine system, but additional biological targets are likely to exist. Here we have screened for novel mechanisms of action in an animal model, using adult rats exposed to long-acting olanzapine, achieving stable and clinically relevant antipsychotic drug concentrations. By microarray-based examination of global gene expression in the fronto-medial cortex, at the single gene- and gene-set level, we observed downregulation of two neuropeptide-encoding genes, Vgf and Cort (fold change -1,25 and -1,48, respectively) in response to olanzapine exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrated significant upregulation of five out of ~2000 GO predefined gene sets after olanzapine exposure. Strikingly, all were linked to myelination and oligodendrocyte development; "Ensheathment of neurons", "Axon ensheathment", "Myelination", "Myelin sheath" and "Oligodendrocyte development" (FDR-values < 25). Sixteen of the leading edge genes in these gene sets were analysed independently by qPCR, of which 11 genes displayed significant upregulation, including Plp1, Mal, Mag and Cnp (fold change: 1,30, 1,50, 1,30 and 1,15, respectively). Several of the upregulated genes (e.g. MAG, MAL and CNP) have previously been reported as downregulated in post-mortem brain samples from schizophrenia patients. Although caution needs to be taken when extrapolating results from animal studies to humans, the data suggest a role for olanzapine in alleviating myelination-related dysfunction in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari M. Ersland
- 0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDr. Einar Martens Research Group for Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, 5021 Norway ,0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bThe Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT) and the K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Silje Skrede
- 0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDr. Einar Martens Research Group for Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, 5021 Norway ,0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bThe Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT) and the K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christine Stansberg
- 0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDr. Einar Martens Research Group for Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, 5021 Norway ,0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bThe Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT) and the K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Vidar M. Steen
- 0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDr. Einar Martens Research Group for Biological Psychiatry, Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, 5021 Norway ,0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bThe Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT) and the K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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NERP-2 regulates gastric acid secretion and gastric emptying via the orexin pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 485:409-413. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.02.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Hypothalamic over-expression of VGF in the Siberian hamster increases energy expenditure and reduces body weight gain. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172724. [PMID: 28235047 PMCID: PMC5325529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
VGF (non-acronymic) was first highlighted to have a role in energy homeostasis through experiments involving dietary manipulation in mice. Fasting increased VGF mRNA in the Arc and levels were subsequently reduced upon refeeding. This anabolic role for VGF was supported by observations in a VGF null (VGF-/-) mouse and in the diet-induced and gold-thioglucose obese mice. However, this anabolic role for VGF has not been supported by a number of subsequent studies investigating the physiological effects of VGF-derived peptides. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of TLQP-21 increased resting energy expenditure and rectal temperature in mice and protected against diet-induced obesity. Similarly, ICV infusion of TLQP-21 into Siberian hamsters significantly reduced body weight, but this was due to a decrease in food intake, with no effect on energy expenditure. Subsequently NERP-2 was shown to increase food intake in rats via the orexin system, suggesting opposing roles for these VGF-derived peptides. Thus to further elucidate the role of hypothalamic VGF in the regulation of energy homeostasis we utilised a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector to over-express VGF in adult male Siberian hamsters, thus avoiding any developmental effects or associated functional compensation. Initially, hypothalamic over-expression of VGF in adult Siberian hamsters produced no effect on metabolic parameters, but by 12 weeks post-infusion hamsters had increased oxygen consumption and a tendency to increased carbon dioxide production; this attenuated body weight gain, reduced interscapular white adipose tissue and resulted in a compensatory increase in food intake. These observed changes in energy expenditure and food intake were associated with an increase in the hypothalamic contents of the VGF-derived peptides AQEE, TLQP and NERP-2. The complex phenotype of the VGF-/- mice is a likely consequence of global ablation of the gene and its derived peptides during development, as well as in the adult.
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VGF Protein and Its C-Terminal Derived Peptides in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Human and Animal Model Studies. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164689. [PMID: 27737014 PMCID: PMC5063282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
VGF mRNA is widely expressed in areas of the nervous system known to degenerate in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), including cerebral cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Despite certain VGF alterations are reported in animal models, little information is available with respect to the ALS patients. We addressed VGF peptide changes in fibroblast cell cultures and in plasma obtained from ALS patients, in parallel with spinal cord and plasma samples from the G93A-SOD1 mouse model. Antisera specific for the C-terminal end of the human and mouse VGF proteins, respectively, were used in immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while gel chromatography and HPLC/ESI-MS/MS were used to identify the VGF peptides present. Immunoreactive VGF C-terminus peptides were reduced in both fibroblast and plasma samples from ALS patients in an advanced stage of the disease. In the G93A-SOD1 mice, the same VGF peptides were also decreased in plasma in the late-symptomatic stage, while showing an earlier down-regulation in the spinal cord. In immunohistochemistry, a large number of gray matter structures were VGF C-terminus immunoreactive in control mice (including nerve terminals, axons and a few perikarya identified as motoneurons), with a striking reduction already in the pre-symptomatic stage. Through gel chromatography and spectrometry analysis, we identified one form likely to be the VGF precursor as well as peptides containing the NAPP- sequence in all tissues studied, while in the mice and fibroblasts, we revealed also AQEE- and TLQP- peptides. Taken together, selective VGF fragment depletion may participate in disease onset and/or progression of ALS.
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Foglesong GD, Huang W, Liu X, Slater AM, Siu J, Yildiz V, Salton SRJ, Cao L. Role of Hypothalamic VGF in Energy Balance and Metabolic Adaption to Environmental Enrichment in Mice. Endocrinology 2016; 157:983-96. [PMID: 26730934 PMCID: PMC4769365 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE), a housing condition providing complex physical, social, and cognitive stimulation, leads to improved metabolic health and resistance to diet-induced obesity and cancer. One underlying mechanism is the activation of the hypothalamic-sympathoneural-adipocyte axis with hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as the key mediator. VGF, a peptide precursor particularly abundant in the hypothalamus, was up-regulated by EE. Overexpressing BDNF or acute injection of BDNF protein to the hypothalamus up-regulated VGF, whereas suppressing BDNF signaling down-regulated VGF expression. Moreover, hypothalamic VGF expression was regulated by leptin, melanocortin receptor agonist, and food deprivation mostly paralleled to BDNF expression. Recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer of Cre recombinase to floxed VGF mice specifically decreased VGF expression in the hypothalamus. In contrast to the lean and hypermetabolic phenotype of homozygous germline VGF knockout mice, specific knockdown of hypothalamic VGF in male adult mice led to increased adiposity, decreased core body temperature, reduced energy expenditure, and impaired glucose tolerance, as well as disturbance of molecular features of brown and white adipose tissues without effects on food intake. However, VGF knockdown failed to block the EE-induced BDNF up-regulation or decrease of adiposity indicating a minor role of VGF in the hypothalamic-sympathoneural-adipocyte axis. Taken together, our results suggest hypothalamic VGF responds to environmental demands and plays an important role in energy balance and glycemic control likely acting in the melanocortin pathway downstream of BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant D Foglesong
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
| | - Xianglan Liu
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
| | - Andrew M Slater
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
| | - Jason Siu
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
| | - Vedat Yildiz
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
| | - Stephen R J Salton
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Comprehensive Cancer Center (G.D.F., W.H., X.L., A.M.S., J.S., L.C.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and The Center for Biostatistics (V.Y.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210; and Department of Neuroscience (S.R.J.S.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10461
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D’Amato F, Noli B, Angioni L, Cossu E, Incani M, Messana I, Manconi B, Solinas P, Isola R, Mariotti S, Ferri GL, Cocco C. VGF Peptide Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients' Plasma and in Obese Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142333. [PMID: 26562304 PMCID: PMC4643017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To address the possible involvement of VGF peptides in obesity and diabetes, we studied type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obese patients, and high-fat diet induced obese mice. Two VGF peptides (NAPP-19 and QQET-30) were identified in human plasma by HPLC-ESI-MS. The VGF C-terminus, the above two cleaved peptides, and the TLQP-21 related peptide/s were studied using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. In euglycemic patients, plasma NAPPE and TLQP like peptides were significantly reduced with obesity (74±10 vs. 167±28, and 92±10 vs. 191±19 pmol/ml, mean+SEM, n = 10 and 6, obese vs. normal BMI, respectively, p<0.03). Upon a standard glucose load, a distinct response was shown for VGF C-terminus, TLQP and QQET-like (ERVW immunoreactive) peptides in euglycemic normal BMI patients, but was virtually abolished in euglycemic obese, and in T2D patients independently of BMI. High-fat diet induced obese mice showed reduced plasma VGF C-terminus, NAPPE and QQET-like (ERVW) peptide/s (3±0.2 vs. 4.6±0.3, 22±3.5 vs. 34±1.3, and 48±7 vs. 100±7 pmol/ml, mean+SEM, n = 8/group, obese vs. slim, respectively, p<0.03), with a loss of the response to glucose for all VGF peptides studied. In immunohistochemistry, TLQP and/or VGF C-terminus antibodies labelled VGF containing perikarya in mouse celiac ganglia, pancreatic islet cells and thin beaded nerve fibres in brown adipose tissues, with fewer in white adipose tissue. Upon the glucose load, tyrosine hydroxylase and VGF C-terminus immunoreactive axons became apparent in pancreatic islets of slim animals, but not in obese animals. Alltogether, a significant loss of VGF peptide immunoreactivity and/or their response to glucose was demonstrated in obese patients, with or without T2D, in parallel with a similar loss in high-fat diet induced obese mice. An involvement of VGF in metabolic regulations, including those of brown and/or white adipose tissues is underlined, and may point out specific VGF peptides as potential targets for diagnosis and/or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena D’Amato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Barbara Noli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Laura Angioni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Efisio Cossu
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Michela Incani
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Irene Messana
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Barbara Manconi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Paola Solinas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Raffaella Isola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Stefano Mariotti
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Gian-Luca Ferri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Cristina Cocco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
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26
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A RNA-Seq Analysis of the Rat Supraoptic Nucleus Transcriptome: Effects of Salt Loading on Gene Expression. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124523. [PMID: 25897513 PMCID: PMC4405539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnocellular neurons (MCNs) in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) are highly specialized to release large amounts of arginine vasopressin (Avp) or oxytocin (Oxt) into the blood stream and play critical roles in the regulation of body fluid homeostasis. The MCNs are osmosensory neurons and are excited by exposure to hypertonic solutions and inhibited by hypotonic solutions. The MCNs respond to systemic hypertonic and hypotonic stimulation with large changes in the expression of their Avp and Oxt genes, and microarray studies have shown that these osmotic perturbations also cause large changes in global gene expression in the HNS. In this paper, we examine gene expression in the rat supraoptic nucleus (SON) under normosmotic and chronic salt-loading SL) conditions by the first time using "new-generation", RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) methods. We reliably detect 9,709 genes as present in the SON by RNA-Seq, and 552 of these genes were changed in expression as a result of chronic SL. These genes reflect diverse functions, and 42 of these are involved in either transcriptional or translational processes. In addition, we compare the SON transcriptomes resolved by RNA-Seq methods with the SON transcriptomes determined by Affymetrix microarray methods in rats under the same osmotic conditions, and find that there are 6,466 genes present in the SON that are represented in both data sets, although 1,040 of the expressed genes were found only in the microarray data, and 2,762 of the expressed genes are selectively found in the RNA-Seq data and not the microarray data. These data provide the research community a comprehensive view of the transcriptome in the SON under normosmotic conditions and the changes in specific gene expression evoked by salt loading.
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Greenwood MP, Mecawi AS, Hoe SZ, Mustafa MR, Johnson KR, Al-Mahmoud GA, Elias LLK, Paton JFR, Antunes-Rodrigues J, Gainer H, Murphy D, Hindmarch CCT. A comparison of physiological and transcriptome responses to water deprivation and salt loading in the rat supraoptic nucleus. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2015; 308:R559-68. [PMID: 25632023 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00444.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Salt loading (SL) and water deprivation (WD) are experimental challenges that are often used to study the osmotic circuitry of the brain. Central to this circuit is the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for the biosynthesis of the hormones, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT), and their transport to terminals that reside in the posterior lobe of the pituitary. On osmotic challenge evoked by a change in blood volume or osmolality, the SON undergoes a function-related plasticity that creates an environment that allows for an appropriate hormone response. Here, we have described the impact of SL and WD compared with euhydrated (EU) controls in terms of drinking and eating behavior, body weight, and recorded physiological data including circulating hormone data and plasma and urine osmolality. We have also used microarrays to profile the transcriptome of the SON following SL and remined data from the SON that describes the transcriptome response to WD. From a list of 2,783 commonly regulated transcripts, we selected 20 genes for validation by qPCR. All of the 9 genes that have already been described as expressed or regulated in the SON by osmotic stimuli were confirmed in our models. Of the 11 novel genes, 5 were successfully validated while 6 were false discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andre S Mecawi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropedica, Brazil
| | - See Ziau Hoe
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Rais Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kory R Johnson
- Clinical Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ghada A Al-Mahmoud
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Al Tarfa, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lucila L K Elias
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julian F R Paton
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom; and
| | - Jose Antunes-Rodrigues
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Harold Gainer
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David Murphy
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Charles C T Hindmarch
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
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28
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Noli B, Brancia C, D’Amato F, Ferri GL, Cocco C. VGF changes during the estrous cycle: a novel endocrine role for TLQP peptides? PLoS One 2014; 9:e108456. [PMID: 25280008 PMCID: PMC4184793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the VGF derived peptide TLQP-21 stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropin secretion, available data on VGF peptides and reproduction are limited. We used antibodies specific for the two ends of the VGF precursor, and for two VGF derived peptides namely TLQP and PGH, to be used in immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay complemented with gel chromatography. In cycling female rats, VGF C-/N-terminus and PGH peptide antibodies selectively labelled neurones containing either GnRH, or kisspeptin (VGF N-terminus only), pituitary gonadotrophs and lactotrophs, or oocytes (PGH peptides only). Conversely, TLQP peptides were restricted to somatostatin neurones, gonadotrophs, and ovarian granulosa, interstitial and theca cells. TLQP levels were highest, especially in plasma and ovary, with several molecular forms shown in chromatography including one compatible with TLQP-21. Among the cycle phases, TLQP levels were higher during metestrus-diestrus in median eminence and pituitary, while increased in the ovary and decreased in plasma during proestrus. VGF N- and C-terminus peptides also showed modulations over the estrous cycle, in median eminence, pituitary and plasma, while PGH peptides did not. In ovariectomised rats, plasmatic TLQP peptide levels showed distinct reduction suggestive of a major origin from the ovary, while the estrogen-progesterone treatment modulated VGF C-terminus and TLQP peptides in the hypothalamus-pituitary complex. In in vitro hypothalamus, TLQP-21 stimulated release of growth hormone releasing hormone but not of somatostatin. In conclusion, various VGF peptides may regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary complex via specific neuroendocrine mechanisms while TLQP peptides may act at further, multiple levels via endocrine mechanisms involving the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Noli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Carla Brancia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Filomena D’Amato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Gian-Luca Ferri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
- * E-mail: (CC); (GLF)
| | - Cristina Cocco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
- * E-mail: (CC); (GLF)
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29
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Saderi N, Buijs F, Salgado-Delgado R, Merkenstein M, Basualdo M, Ferri GL, Escobar C, Buijs R. A role for VGF in the hypothalamic arcuate and paraventricular nuclei in the control of energy homeostasis. Neuroscience 2014; 265:184-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.01.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Reduced density of hypothalamic VGF-immunoreactive neurons in schizophrenia: a potential link to impaired growth factor signaling and energy homeostasis. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2012; 262:365-74. [PMID: 22167530 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-011-0282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 12/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Protein expression of VGF (nonacronymic) is induced by nerve/brain-derived growth factor, neurotrophin 3, and insulin. VGF is synthesized by neurons in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei of the hypothalamus. After enzymatic processing, smaller VGF-derived peptides are secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood. These peptides play important roles by improving synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and energy homeostasis, which are impaired in schizophrenia. Based on previous observations of neuroendocrine and hypothalamic deficits in schizophrenia and to determine whether increased levels of the VGF fragment 23-62 in CSF, which have been described in a recent study, were related to changes in hypothalamic VGF expression, an immunohistochemical study was performed in 20 patients with schizophrenia and 19 matched control subjects. N- (D-20) and C-terminal (R-15) VGF antibodies yielded similar results and immunolabeled a vast majority of PVN and SON neurons. Additionally, D20-VGF immunohistochemistry revealed immunostained fibers in the pituitary stalk and neurohypophysis that ended at vessel walls, suggesting axonal transport and VGF secretion. The cell density of D20-VGF-immunoreactive neurons was reduced in the left PVN (P = 0.002) and SON (P = 0.008) of patients with schizophrenia. This study provides the first evidence for diminished hypothalamic VGF levels in schizophrenia, which might suggest increased protein secretion. Our finding was particularly significant in subjects without metabolic syndrome (patients with a body mass index ≤28.7 kg/m(2)). In conclusion, apart from beneficial effects on synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, VGF may be linked to schizophrenia-related alterations in energy homeostasis.
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Implication of the VGF-derived peptide TLQP-21 in mouse acute and chronic stress responses. Behav Brain Res 2012; 229:333-9. [PMID: 22289198 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Revised: 01/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The impact of stress is widely recognized in the etiology of multiple disorders. In particular, psychological stress may increase the risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and mood disorders. Several genes are considered potential candidates to account for the deleterious consequences of stress and recent data point to role of Vgf. VGF mRNA is abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus, where it has been involved in metabolism and energy homeostasis; more recently a link between VGF-derived peptides and mood disorders has been highlighted. The following experiments were performed to address the contribution of the VGF-system to stress induced changes in mice: the distribution of VGF immuno-reactivity in hypothalamic nuclei and its modulation by social stress; the role of VGF-derived peptide TLQP-21 in plasma catecholamine release induced by acute restraint stress (RS); the efficacy of chronic TLQP-21 in a mouse model of chronic subordination stress (CSS). VGF fibers were found in high density in arcuate, dorsomedial, and suprachiasmatic and, at lower density, in lateral, paraventricular, and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei. Central administration of either 2 or 4 mM TLQP-21 acutely altered the biphasic serum epinephrine release and decreased norepinephrine serum levels in response to RS. Finally, 28-day of 40 μg/day TLQP-21 treatment increased CSS-induced social avoidance of an unfamiliar conspecific. Overall these data support a role for TLQP-21 in stress responses providing a promising starting point to further elucidate its role as a player in stress-related human pathologies.
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VGF: an inducible gene product, precursor of a diverse array of neuro-endocrine peptides and tissue-specific disease biomarkers. J Chem Neuroanat 2011; 42:249-61. [PMID: 21621608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2011] [Revised: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The vgf gene (non-acronymic) is induced in vivo by neurotrophins including Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain Derived Growth Factor (BDNF) and Glial Derived Growth Factor (GDNF), by synaptic activity and by homeostatic and other stimuli. Post-translational processing of a single VGF precursor gives raise to a varied multiplicity of neuro-endocrine peptides, some of which are secreted upon stimulation both in vitro and in vivo. Several VGF peptides, accounting for ∼20% of the VGF precursor sequence, have shown biological roles including regulation of food intake, energy balance, reproductive and homeostatic mechanisms, synaptic strengthening, long-term potentiation (LTP) and anti-depressant activity. From a further ∼50% of VGF derive multiple "fragments", largely identified in the human cerebro-spinal fluid by proteomic studies searching for disease biomarkers. These represent an important starting point for discovery of further VGF products relevant to neuronal brain functions, as well as to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disease conditions. A distinct feature of VGF peptides is their cell type specific diversity in all neuroendocrine organs studied so far. Selective differential profiles are found across the cell populations of pituitary, adrenal medulla and pancreatic islets, and in gastric neuroendocrine as well as some further mucosal cells, and are yet to be investigated in neuronal systems. At the same time, specific VGF peptide/s undergo selective modulation in response to organ or cell population relevant stimuli. Such pattern argues for a multiplicity of roles for VGF peptides, including endocrine functions, local intercellular communication, as well as the possible mediation of intracellular mechanisms.
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Toshinai K, Yamaguchi H, Kageyama H, Matsuo T, Koshinaka K, Sasaki K, Shioda S, Minamino N, Nakazato M. Neuroendocrine regulatory peptide-2 regulates feeding behavior via the orexin system in the hypothalamus. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2010; 299:E394-401. [PMID: 20551287 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00768.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine regulatory peptide (NERP)-1 and NERP-2 are derived from distinct regions of VGF, a neurosecretory protein. Vgf(-/-) mice exhibit dwarfism and hypermetabolic rates, suggesting that VGF or VGF-derived peptides play important roles in energy metabolism. Here, we examined the role of NERPs in the central regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis. We attempted to identify NERPs expressing neurons in rats by immunohistochemistry. We studied the effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of NERP-2 on feeding, body temperature, oxygen consumption, and locomotor activity in rats and mice. Intracerebroventricular administration of NERP-2, but not NERP-1 or a form of NERP-2 bearing a COOH-terminal glycine extension, increased food intake in rats. We investigated the downstream signal of NERP-2 on the basis of studies of NERP-2-induced feeding with neutralization of orexins, neuropeptide Y, or agouti-related protein. NERP-2 expression localized to the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and the dorsomedial perifornical hypothalamus in rats, colocalizing with orexins that activate feeding behavior and arousal. NERP-2 administration induced Fos protein, a marker of neuronal activation, in the orexin-immunoreactive neurons. Vgf mRNA levels were upregulated in the rat LH upon food deprivation. Intracerebroventricular administration of NERP-2 also increased body temperature, oxygen consumption, and locomotor activity in rats. Treatment with anti-NERP-2 IgG decreased food intake. NERP-2-induced bioactivities could be abrogated by administration of anti-orexins IgG or orexin receptor antagonists. NERP-2 did not induce food intake or locomotor activity in orexin-deficient mice. Our findings indicate that hypothalamic NERP-2 plays a role in the control of food intake and energy homeostasis via the orexin pathway. Thus, VGF serves as a precursor of multiple bioactive peptides exerting a diverse set of neuroendocrine functions.
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34
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Matsuo T, Yamaguchi H, Kageyama H, Sasaki K, Shioda S, Minamino N, Nakazato M. Localization of neuroendocrine regulatory peptide-1 and-2 in human tissues. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 163:43-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2009] [Revised: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Bartolomucci A, Pasinetti GM, Salton SRJ. Granins as disease-biomarkers: translational potential for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Neuroscience 2010; 170:289-97. [PMID: 20600637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2010] [Revised: 06/17/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The identification of biomarkers represents a fundamental medical advance that can lead to an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis, and holds the potential to define surrogate diagnostic and prognostic endpoints. Because of the inherent difficulties in assessing brain function in patients and objectively identifying neurological and cognitive/emotional symptoms, future application of biomarkers to neurological and psychiatric disorders is extremely desirable. This article discusses the biomarker potential of the granin family, a group of acidic proteins present in the secretory granules of a wide variety of endocrine, neuronal and neuroendocrine cells: chromogranin A (CgA), CgB, Secretogranin II (SgII), SgIII, HISL-19 antigen, 7B2, NESP55, VGF and ProSAAS. Their relative abundance, functional significance, and secretion into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), saliva, and the general circulation have made granins tractable targets as biomarkers for many diseases of neuronal and endocrine origin, recently impacting diagnosis of a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and schizophrenia. Although research has not yet validated the clinical utility of granins as surrogate endpoints for the progression or treatment of neurological or psychiatric disease, a growing body of experimental evidence indicates that the use of granins as biomarkers might be of great potential clinical interest. Advances that further elucidate the mechanism(s) of action of granins, coupled with improvements in biomarker technology and direct clinical application, should increase the translational effectiveness of this family of proteins in disease diagnosis and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bartolomucci
- Department of Evolutionary and Functional Biology, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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36
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Lee JE, Atkins N, Hatcher NG, Zamdborg L, Gillette MU, Sweedler JV, Kelleher NL. Endogenous peptide discovery of the rat circadian clock: a focused study of the suprachiasmatic nucleus by ultrahigh performance tandem mass spectrometry. Mol Cell Proteomics 2009; 9:285-97. [PMID: 19955084 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m900362-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how a small brain region, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), can synchronize the body's circadian rhythms is an ongoing research area. This important time-keeping system requires a complex suite of peptide hormones and transmitters that remain incompletely characterized. Here, capillary liquid chromatography and FTMS have been coupled with tailored software for the analysis of endogenous peptides present in the SCN of the rat brain. After ex vivo processing of brain slices, peptide extraction, identification, and characterization from tandem FTMS data with <5-ppm mass accuracy produced a hyperconfident list of 102 endogenous peptides, including 33 previously unidentified peptides, and 12 peptides that were post-translationally modified with amidation, phosphorylation, pyroglutamylation, or acetylation. This characterization of endogenous peptides from the SCN will aid in understanding the molecular mechanisms that mediate rhythmic behaviors in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Eun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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37
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Moss A, Ingram R, Koch S, Theodorou A, Low L, Baccei M, Hathway GJ, Costigan M, Salton SR, Fitzgerald M. Origins, actions and dynamic expression patterns of the neuropeptide VGF in rat peripheral and central sensory neurones following peripheral nerve injury. Mol Pain 2008; 4:62. [PMID: 19077191 PMCID: PMC2614976 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-4-62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2008] [Accepted: 12/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of the neurotrophin regulated polypeptide, VGF, has been investigated in a rat spared injury model of neuropathic pain. This peptide has been shown to be associated with synaptic strengthening and learning in the hippocampus and while it is known that VGFmRNA is upregulated in dorsal root ganglia following peripheral nerve injury, the role of this VGF peptide in neuropathic pain has yet to be investigated. Results Prolonged upregulation of VGF mRNA and protein was observed in injured dorsal root ganglion neurons, central terminals and their target dorsal horn neurons. Intrathecal application of TLQP-62, the C-terminal active portion of VGF (5–50 nmol) to naïve rats caused a long-lasting mechanical and cold behavioral allodynia. Direct actions of 50 nM TLQP-62 upon dorsal horn neuron excitability was demonstrated in whole cell patch recordings in spinal cord slices and in receptive field analysis in intact, anesthetized rats where significant actions of VGF were upon spontaneous activity and cold evoked responses. Conclusion VGF expression is therefore highly modulated in nociceptive pathways following peripheral nerve injury and can cause dorsal horn cell excitation and behavioral hypersensitivity in naïve animals. Together the results point to a novel and powerful role for VGF in neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Moss
- UCL Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK.
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38
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Thakker-Varia S, Alder J. Neuropeptides in depression: role of VGF. Behav Brain Res 2008; 197:262-78. [PMID: 18983874 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2008] [Accepted: 10/05/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The monoamine hypothesis of depression is increasingly called into question by newer theories that revolve around changes in neuronal plasticity, primarily in the hippocampus, at both the structural and the functional levels. Chronic stress negatively regulates hippocampal function while antidepressants ameliorate the effects of stress on neuronal morphology and activity. Both stress and antidepressants have been shown to affect levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) whose transcription is dependent on cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). BDNF itself has antidepressant-like actions and can induce transcription of a number of molecules. One class of genes regulated by both BDNF and serotonin (5-HT) are neuropeptides including VGF (non-acryonimic) which has a novel role in depression. Neuropeptides are important modulators of neuronal function but their role in affective disorders is just emerging. Recent studies demonstrate that VGF, which is also a CREB-dependent gene, is upregulated by antidepressant drugs and voluntary exercise and is reduced in animal models of depression. VGF enhances hippocampal synaptic plasticity as well as neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus but the mechanisms of antidepressant-like actions of VGF in behavioral paradigms are not known. We summarize experimental data describing the roles of BDNF, VGF and other neuropeptides in depression and how they may be acting through the generation of new neurons and altered synaptic activity. Understanding the molecular and cellular changes that underlie the actions of neuropeptides and how these adaptations result in antidepressant-like effects will aid in developing drugs that target novel pathways for major depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita Thakker-Varia
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane West, Robert Wood Johnson-School of Public Health 357A, Piscataway, NJ 08854-5635, United States
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39
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Severini C, Ciotti MT, Biondini L, Quaresima S, Rinaldi AM, Levi A, Frank C, Possenti R. TLQP-21, a neuroendocrine VGF-derived peptide, prevents cerebellar granule cells death induced by serum and potassium deprivation. J Neurochem 2008; 104:534-44. [PMID: 18173805 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.05068.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Different VGF peptides derived from Vgf, originally identified as a nerve growth factor responsive gene, have been detected in neurons within the central and peripheral nervous system and in various endocrine cells. In the current study, we have evaluated the ability of TLQP-21, a VGF-derived peptide, to protect, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) from serum and potassium deprivation-induced cell death. We demonstrated that TLQP-21 increased survival of CGCs by decreasing the degree of apoptosis as assessed by cell viability and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, TLQP-21 significantly activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, serine/threonine protein kinase, and c-jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation, while decreased the extent of protein kinase C phosphorylation, as demonstrated by western blot analysis. In addition, TLQP-21 induced significant increase in intracellular calcium (as measured by fura-2AM) in about 60% of the recorded neurons. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that TLQP-21 promotes the survival of CGCs via pathways involving, within few minutes, modulation of kinases associated with CGCs survival, and by increasing intracellular calcium which can contribute to the neuroprotective effect of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Severini
- Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, CNR, Rome, Italy.
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40
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Jethwa PH, Warner A, Nilaweera KN, Brameld JM, Keyte JW, Carter WG, Bolton N, Bruggraber M, Morgan PJ, Barrett P, Ebling FJP. VGF-derived peptide, TLQP-21, regulates food intake and body weight in Siberian hamsters. Endocrinology 2007; 148:4044-55. [PMID: 17463057 DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Siberian hamster survives winter by decreasing food intake and catabolizing abdominal fat reserves, resulting in a sustained, profound loss of body weight. VGF gene expression is photoperiodically regulated in the hypothalamus with significantly higher expression in lean Siberian hamsters. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of VGF in regulating these seasonal cycles by determining the effects of a VGF-derived peptide (TLQP-21) on food intake and body weight. Acute intracerebroventricular administration of TLQP-21 decreased food intake, and chronic treatment caused a sustained reduction in food intake and body weight and decreased abdominal fat depots. Behavioral analysis revealed that TLQP-21 reduced meal size but not the frequency of feeding bouts, suggesting a primary action on satiety. Hamsters treated with TLQP-21 lost a similar amount of weight as a pair-fed group in which food intake was matched to that of the TLQP-21-treated group. Central or peripheral treatment with TLQP-21 did not produce a significant effect on resting metabolic rate. We conclude that the primary action of TLQP-21 is to decrease food intake rather than increase energy expenditure. TLQP-21 treatment caused a decrease in UCP-1 mRNA in brown adipose tissue, but hypothalamic expression of orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptide genes remained unchanged after TLQP-21 treatment, although compensatory increases in NPY and AgRP mRNA were observed in the pair-fed hamsters. The effects of TLQP-21 administration are similar to those in hamsters in short days, suggesting that increased VGF activity may contribute to the hypophagia that underlies the seasonal catabolic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti H Jethwa
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
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41
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Chakraborty TR, Tkalych O, Nanno D, Garcia AL, Devi LA, Salton SRJ. Quantification of VGF- and pro-SAAS-derived peptides in endocrine tissues and the brain, and their regulation by diet and cold stress. Brain Res 2006; 1089:21-32. [PMID: 16631141 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.02.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2005] [Revised: 12/13/2005] [Accepted: 02/26/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Two novel granin-like polypeptides, VGF and pro-SAAS, which are stored in and released from secretory vesicles and are expressed widely in nervous, endocrine, and neuroendocrine tissues, play roles in the regulation of body weight, feeding, and energy expenditure. Both VGF and pro-SAAS are cleaved into peptide fragments, several of which are biologically active. We utilized a highly sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) to immunoreactive, pro-SAAS-derived PEN peptides, developed another against immunoreactive, VGF-derived AQEE30 peptides, and quantified these peptides in various mouse tissues and brain regions. Immunoreactive AQEE30 was most abundant in the pituitary, while brain levels were highest in hypothalamus, striatum, and frontal cortex. Immunoreactive PEN levels were highest in the pancreas and spinal cord, and in brain, PEN was most abundant in striatum, hippocampus, pons and medulla, and cortex. Since both peptides were expressed in hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls feeding and energy expenditure, double label immunofluorescence studies were employed. These demonstrated that 42% of hypothalamic arcuate neurons coexpress VGF and SAAS peptides, and that the intracellular distributions of these peptides in arcuate neurons differed. By RIA, cold stress increased immunoreactive AQEE30 and PEN peptide levels in female but not male hypothalamus, while a high fat diet increased AQEE30 and PEN peptide levels in female but not male hippocampus. VGF and SAAS-derived peptides are therefore widely expressed in endocrine, neuroendocrine, and neural tissues, can be accurately quantified by RIA, and are differentially regulated in the brain by diet and cold stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tandra R Chakraborty
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
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42
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Brunjes PC, Illig KR, Meyer EA. A field guide to the anterior olfactory nucleus (cortex). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 50:305-35. [PMID: 16229895 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2005.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2005] [Revised: 08/25/2005] [Accepted: 08/25/2005] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
While portions of the mammalian olfactory system have been studied extensively, the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) has been relatively ignored. Furthermore, the existing research is dispersed and obscured by many different nomenclatures and approaches. The present review collects and assembles the relatively sparse literature regarding the portion of the brain situated between the olfactory bulb and primary olfactory (piriform) cortex. Included is an overview of the area's organization, the functional, morphological and neurochemical characteristics of its cells and a comprehensive appraisal of its efferent and afferent fiber systems. Available evidence suggests the existence of subdivisions within the AON and demonstrates that the structure influences ongoing activity in many other olfactory areas. We conclude with a discussion of the AON's mysterious but complex role in olfactory information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Brunjes
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, 102 Gilmer Hall PO Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA
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43
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Succu S, Mascia MS, Melis T, Sanna F, Melis MR, Possenti R, Argiolas A. Pro-VGF-derived peptides induce penile erection in male rats: Involvement of paraventricular nitric oxide. Neuropharmacology 2005; 49:1017-25. [PMID: 16087201 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2005.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2005] [Revised: 05/21/2005] [Accepted: 05/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The effect of four peptides derived from the C-terminal portion of rat pro-VGF(556-617) (VGF(556-576), VGF(588-617), VGF(599-617), and VGF(588-597)), on penile erection and nitric oxide production in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus was studied in male rats after injecting into this hypothalamic nucleus. VGF(588-617) (0.5, 1 and 2 microg), VGF(599-617) (0.5, 2 and 5 microg) and, to a lower extent, VGF(588-597) (2 and 5 microg) induced penile erection episodes when injected into the paraventricular nucleus and concomitantly increased paraventricular nitric oxide production, while VGF(556-576) (5 microg) was ineffective. VGF(588-617)-induced nitric oxide production was reduced by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME) (20 microg), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, which also reduced penile erection when injected in the paraventricular nucleus 15 min before the VGF peptide. The oxytocin receptor antagonist d(CH(2))(5)Tyr(Me)-Orn(8)-vasotocin (1 microg) also effectively reduced VGF(588-617)-induced penile erection when given into the lateral ventricles, but not when injected into the paraventricular nucleus. In both experimental conditions, d(CH(2))(5)Tyr(Me)-Orn(8)-vasotocin was unable to influence nitric oxide production in the paraventricular nucleus. The present results confirm that C-terminal pro-VGF-derived peptides induce penile erection when injected into the paraventricular nucleus and show that this effect is mediated by an increased nitric oxide production in this hypothalamic nucleus. Apparently, this causes the activation of paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons projecting to extra-hypothalamic brain areas and mediating penile erection, as found with dopamine agonists, oxytocin, excitatory amino acids and hexarelin analogue peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatora Succu
- Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience and Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addiction, University of Cagliari, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu, Km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
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44
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Succu S, Cocco C, Mascia MS, Melis T, Melis MR, Possenti R, Levi A, Ferri GL, Argiolas A. Pro-VGF-derived peptides induce penile erection in male rats: possible involvement of oxytocin. Eur J Neurosci 2005; 20:3035-40. [PMID: 15579158 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03781.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The effect of five peptides derived from the C-terminal portion of rat pro-VGF (VGF(577-617), VGF(588-617), VGF(599-617), VGF(556-576) and VGF(588-597)) on penile erection was studied after injection into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of male rats. VGF(577-617), VGF(588-617), VGF(599-617) and, to a lower extent, VGF(588-597) (0.1-2 microg) induced penile erection episodes in a dose-dependent manner when injected into the paraventricular nucleus, while VGF(556-576) was ineffective. VGF(588-617)-induced penile erection was reduced by nitro(omega)-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME; 20 microg), by morphine (5 microg) and by muscimol (1 microg), but not by dizocilpine [(+)MK-801; 1 microg], nor by cis-flupenthixol (10 microg) given into the paraventricular nucleus 10 min before the VGF peptide. d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)-Orn8-vasotocin (1 microg) effectively reduced VGF(588-617)-induced penile erection when given into the lateral ventricles but not when injected into the paraventricular nucleus. Immunocytochemistry with antibodies specific for the C-terminal nonapeptide sequence of pro-VGF (VGF(609-617)) revealed numerous neuronal fibres and terminals within the paraventricular nucleus, including its parvocellular components. Here, many immunostained neuronal terminals impinged on parvocellular oxytocinergic neurons. The present results show for the first time that certain pro-VGF C-terminus-derived peptides promote penile erection when injected into the paraventricular nucleus and suggest that, within this nucleus, these or closely related pro-VGF-derived peptides may be released to influence sexual function by activating paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons mediating penile erection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatora Succu
- Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience and Center of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addiction, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu, Km 0.700, 09042 Monserrato, University of Cagliari, Italy
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45
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Vuilleumier P, Armony JL, Driver J, Dolan RJ. Distinct spatial frequency sensitivities for processing faces and emotional expressions. Nat Neurosci 2003; 6:624-31. [PMID: 12740580 DOI: 10.1038/nn1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 744] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2002] [Accepted: 04/01/2003] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
High and low spatial frequency information in visual images is processed by distinct neural channels. Using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in humans, we show dissociable roles of such visual channels for processing faces and emotional fearful expressions. Neural responses in fusiform cortex, and effects of repeating the same face identity upon fusiform activity, were greater with intact or high-spatial-frequency face stimuli than with low-frequency faces, regardless of emotional expression. In contrast, amygdala responses to fearful expressions were greater for intact or low-frequency faces than for high-frequency faces. An activation of pulvinar and superior colliculus by fearful expressions occurred specifically with low-frequency faces, suggesting that these subcortical pathways may provide coarse fear-related inputs to the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Vuilleumier
- Laboratory for Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, Department of Clinical Neuroscience & Physiology, University of Geneva Medical Center, 1 Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Abstract
Obesity is a health problem of epidemic proportions in the industrialized world. The cloning and characterization of the genes for the five naturally occurring monogenic obesity syndromes in the mouse have led to major breakthroughs in understanding the physiology of energy balance and the contribution of genetics to obesity in the human population. However, the regulation of energy balance is an extremely complex process, and it is quickly becoming clear that hundreds of genes are involved. In this article, we review the naturally occurring monogenic and polygenic obese mouse strains, as well as the large number of transgenic and knockout mouse models currently available for the study of obesity and energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Robinson
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA.
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47
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Abstract
Recently novel molecular mediators and regulatory pathways for feeding and body weight regulation have been identified in the brain and the periphery. Mice lacking or overexpressing these mediators or receptors have been produced by molecular genetic techniques, and observations on mutant mice have shed new light on the role of each element in the homeostatic loop of body weight regulation. However, the interpretation of the phenotype is under the potential influence of developmental compensation and other genetic and environmental confounds. Specific alterations of the mediators and the consequences of the altered expression patterns are reviewed here and discussed in the context of their functions as suggested from conventional pharmacological studies. Advanced gene targeting strategies in which genes can be turned on or off at desired tissues and times would undoubtedly lead to a better understanding of the highly integrated and redundant systems for energy homeostasis equation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Inui
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
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Salton SR, Ferri GL, Hahm S, Snyder SE, Wilson AJ, Possenti R, Levi A. VGF: a novel role for this neuronal and neuroendocrine polypeptide in the regulation of energy balance. Front Neuroendocrinol 2000; 21:199-219. [PMID: 10882540 DOI: 10.1006/frne.2000.0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Insight into the mechanisms of action of neurotrophic growth factors has been obtained through the identification and characterization of gene products that are regulated or modified at the transcriptional, translational, and/or posttranslational level in response to neurotrophin treatment. VGF (non-acronymic) was identified approximately 15 years ago as a nerve growth factor (NGF)-regulated transcript in rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that neurotrophins such as NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor induce vgf gene expression relatively rapidly in PC12 cells and cultured cortical neurons, respectively, in comparison to less robust regulation by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin, growth factors which do not trigger the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. vgf gene expression is stimulated in vitro by NGF and the ras/map kinase signaling cascade through a CREB-dependent mechanism, while in vivo, VGF mRNA levels are regulated by neuronal activity, including long-term potentiation, seizure, and injury. Both the mRNA and encoded approximately 68-kDa protein (VGF) are selectively synthesized in neuroendocrine and neuronal cells. The predicted VGF sequence is rich in paired basic amino acid residues that are potential sites for proteolytic processing, and VGF undergoes regulated release from dense core secretory vesicles. Although VGF mRNA is synthesized widely, by neurons in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, its expression is particularly abundant in the hypothalamus. In addition, VGF peptides are found in hypophysial, adrenal medullary, gastrointestinal, and pancreatic endocrine cells, suggesting important neuroendocrine functions. Recent analysis of VGF knockout mice indeed demonstrates that VGF plays a critical role in the control of energy homeostasis. VGF knockout mice are thin, small, hypermetabolic, hyperactive, and relatively infertile, with markedly reduced leptin levels and fat stores and altered hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y, and agouti-related peptide expression. Coupled with the demonstration that VGF mRNA levels are induced in the normal mouse hypothalamic arcuate nuclei in response to fasting, important central and peripheral roles for VGF in the regulation of metabolism are suggested. Here we review previous studies of VGF in the broader context of its newly recognized role in the control of energy balance and propose several models and experimental approaches that may better define the mechanisms of action of VGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Salton
- Fishberg Research Center for Neurobiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, 10029, USA.
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49
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Affiliation(s)
- D Altshuler
- Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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50
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Hahm S, Mizuno TM, Wu TJ, Wisor JP, Priest CA, Kozak CA, Boozer CN, Peng B, McEvoy RC, Good P, Kelley KA, Takahashi JS, Pintar JE, Roberts JL, Mobbs CV, Salton SR. Targeted deletion of the Vgf gene indicates that the encoded secretory peptide precursor plays a novel role in the regulation of energy balance. Neuron 1999; 23:537-48. [PMID: 10433265 DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
To determine the function of VGF, a secreted polypeptide that is synthesized by neurons, is abundant in the hypothalamus, and is regulated in the brain by electrical activity, injury, and the circadian clock, we generated knockout mice lacking Vgf. Homozygous mutants are small, hypermetabolic, hyperactive, and infertile, with markedly reduced leptin levels and fat stores and altered hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and agouti-related peptide (AGRP) expression. Furthermore, VGF mRNA synthesis is induced in the hypothalamic arcuate nuclei of fasted normal mice. VGF therefore plays a critical role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, suggesting that the study of lean VGF mutant mice may provide insight into wasting disorders and, moreover, that pharmacological antagonism of VGF action(s) might constitute the basis for treatment of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hahm
- Fishberg Research Center for Neurobiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
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