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Edri T, Cohen D, Shabtai Y, Fainsod A. Alcohol induces neural tube defects by reducing retinoic acid signaling and promoting neural plate expansion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1282273. [PMID: 38116205 PMCID: PMC10728305 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1282273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most debilitating and common developmental defects in humans. The induction of NTDs has been attributed to abnormal folic acid (vitamin B9) metabolism, Wnt and BMP signaling, excess retinoic acid (RA), dietary components, environmental factors, and many others. In the present study we show that reduced RA signaling, including alcohol exposure, induces NTDs. Methods: Xenopus embryos were exposed to pharmacological RA biosynthesis inhibitors to study the induction of NTDs. Embryos were treated with DEAB, citral, or ethanol, all of which inhibit the biosynthesis of RA, or injected to overexpress Cyp26a1 to reduce RA. NTD induction was studied using neural plate and notochord markers together with morphological analysis. Expression of the neuroectodermal regulatory network and cell proliferation were analyzed to understand the morphological malformations of the neural plate. Results: Reducing RA signaling levels using retinaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ethanol, DEAB, and citral) or Cyp26a1-driven degradation efficiently induce NTDs. These NTDs can be rescued by providing precursors of RA. We mapped this RA requirement to early gastrula stages during the induction of neural plate precursors. This reduced RA signaling results in abnormal expression of neural network genes, including the neural plate stem cell maintenance genes, geminin, and foxd4l1.1. This abnormal expression of neural network genes results in increased proliferation of neural precursors giving rise to an expanded neural plate. Conclusion: We show that RA signaling is required for neural tube closure during embryogenesis. RA signaling plays a very early role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the neural plate soon after the induction of neural progenitors during gastrulation. RA signaling disruption leads to the induction of NTDs through the mis regulation of the early neuroectodermal network, leading to increased proliferation resulting in the expansion of the neural plate. Ethanol exposure induces NTDs through this mechanism involving reduced RA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Abraham Fainsod
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Klem JR, Schwantes-An TH, Abreu M, Suttie M, Gray R, Vo H, Conley G, Foroud TM, Wetherill L, Lovely CB. Mutation in the Bone Morphogenetic Protein signaling pathway sensitize zebrafish and humans to ethanol-induced jaw malformations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546932. [PMID: 37425959 PMCID: PMC10327032 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describe ethanol-induced developmental defects including craniofacial malformations. While ethanol-sensitive genetic mutations contribute to facial malformations, the impacted cellular mechanisms remain unknown. Bmp signaling is a key regulator of epithelial morphogenesis driving facial development, providing a possible ethanol-sensitive mechanism. We found that zebrafish mutants for Bmp signaling components are ethanol-sensitive and affect anterior pharyngeal endoderm shape and gene expression, indicating ethanol-induced malformations of the anterior pharyngeal endoderm cause facial malformations. Integrating FASD patient data, we provide the first evidence that variants in the human Bmp receptor gene BMPR1B associate with ethanol-related differences in jaw volume. Our results show that ethanol exposure disrupts proper morphogenesis of, and tissue interactions between, facial epithelia that mirror overall viscerocranial shape changes and are predictive for Bmp-ethanol associations in human jaw development. Our data provide a mechanistic paradigm linking ethanol to disrupted epithelial cell behaviors that underlie facial defects in FASD.
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Beaulieu D, Treit S, Pagano JJ, Beaulieu C, Thompson R. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Individuals With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. CJC PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 2023; 2:150-161. [PMID: 37969351 PMCID: PMC10642128 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjcpc.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has teratogenic effects on numerous body systems including the heart. However, research magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in humans with PAE have thus far been limited to the brain. This study aims to use MRI to examine heart structure and function, brain volumes, and body composition in children and adolescents with PAE. Methods Heart, brain, and abdominal 3T MRI of 17 children, adolescents, and young adults with PAE and 53 unexposed controls was acquired to measure: (1) left ventricular ejection fraction, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, cardiac output, longitudinal strain, circumferential strain, and heart mass; (2) total brain, cerebellum, white matter, grey matter, caudate, thalamus, putamen, and globus pallidus volumes; and (3) subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, muscle fat, and muscle (body composition). Results Cardiac MRI revealed no abnormalities in the PAE group on evaluation by a paediatric cardiologist and by statistical comparison with a control group. Cardiac parameters in both groups were in line with previous reports, including expected sex- and age-related differences. Cerebellum, caudate, and globus pallidus volumes were all smaller. Body mass index and subcutaneous fat percent were higher in females with PAE relative to control females, but lower in males with PAE relative to control males. Conclusions Children with PAE did not have abnormalities in MRI-derived measures of cardiac structure or function despite smaller brain volumes and sex-specific differences in body composition relative to healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah Treit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joseph J. Pagano
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Richard Thompson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Zhang C, Ezem N, Mackinnon S, Cole GJ. Embryonic Ethanol but Not Cannabinoid Exposure Affects Zebrafish Cardiac Development via Agrin and Sonic Hedgehog Interaction. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091327. [PMID: 37174727 PMCID: PMC10177468 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrate the adverse effects of cannabinoids on development, including via pathways shared with ethanol exposure. Our laboratory has shown that both the nervous system and cardiac development are dependent on agrin modulation of sonic hedgehog (shh) and fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling pathways. As both ethanol and cannabinoids impact these signaling molecules, we examined their role on zebrafish heart development. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to a range of ethanol and/or cannabinoid receptor 1 and 2 agonist concentrations in the absence or presence of morpholino oligonucleotides that disrupt agrin or shh expression. In situ hybridization was employed to analyze cardiac marker gene expression. Exposure to cannabinoid receptor agonists disrupted midbrain-hindbrain boundary development, but had no effect on heart development, as assessed by the presence of cardiac edema or the altered expression of cardiac marker genes. In contrast, exposure to 1.5% ethanol induced cardiac edema and the altered expression of cardiac marker genes. Combined exposure to agrin or shh morpholino and 0.5% ethanol disrupted the cmlc2 gene expression pattern, with the restoration of the normal expression following shh mRNA overexpression. These studies provide evidence that signaling pathways critical to heart development are sensitive to ethanol exposure, but not cannabinoids, during early zebrafish embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjin Zhang
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Natalie Ezem
- Duke-NCCU Summer Scholars Program, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Shanta Mackinnon
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Gregory J Cole
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences; North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
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A low-cost smartphone fluorescence microscope for research, life science education, and STEM outreach. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2722. [PMID: 36894527 PMCID: PMC9998573 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29182-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Much of our understanding of cell and tissue development, structure, and function stems from fluorescence microscopy. The acquisition of colorful and glowing images engages and excites users ranging from seasoned microscopists to STEM students. Fluorescence microscopes range in cost from several thousand to several hundred thousand US dollars. Therefore, the use of fluorescence microscopy is typically limited to well-funded institutions and biotechnology companies, research core facilities, and medical laboratories, but is financially impractical at many universities and colleges, primary and secondary schools (K-12), and in science outreach settings. In this study, we developed and characterized components that when used in combination with a smartphone or tablet, perform fluorescence microscopy at a cost of less than $50 US dollars per unit. We re-purposed recreational LED flashlights and theater stage lighting filters to enable viewing of green and red fluorophores including EGFP, DsRed, mRFP, and mCherry on a simple-to-build frame made of wood and plexiglass. These devices, which we refer to as glowscopes, were capable of 10 µm resolution, imaging fluorescence in live specimens, and were compatible with all smartphone and tablet models we tested. In comparison to scientific-grade fluorescence microscopes, glowscopes may have limitations to sensitivity needed to detect dim fluorescence and the inability to resolve subcellular structures. We demonstrate capability of viewing fluorescence within zebrafish embryos, including heart rate, rhythmicity, and regional anatomy of the central nervous system. Due to the low cost of individual glowscope units, we anticipate this device can help to equip K-12, undergraduate, and science outreach classrooms with fleets of fluorescence microscopes that can engage students with hands-on learning activities.
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Erhunmwunse NO, Tongo I, Omigie K. Embryonic toxicity of Imidacloprid: Impact on hatchability, survivability, swimming speed and cardiac function of catfish, Clarias gariepinus. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:127-134. [PMID: 36652124 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02625-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide that belongs to the neonicotinoid class of chemicals that act on the central nervous system of insects. Imidacloprid is used to control sucking insects, chewing insects such as termites, soil insects, and fleas on pets, as well as to treat structures, crops, soil, and seeds. As a result of these factors, this pesticide may end up in the aquatic environment via municipal discharges and runoff. Although the presence of imidacloprid in aquatic environments has been underreported as widespread, the toxic effects of this pesticide may have serious implications on aquatic organisms, particularly at environmentally relevant concentrations and demand more attention. Given this knowledge, the goal of this study was to investigate the effects of imidacloprid on Clarias gariepinus embryonic development. Clarias gariepinus embryos (3 h post-fertilization) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of imidacloprid (10, 30, 100, and 500 µg/L) until 48 h post-fertilization using a modified fish embryo acute toxicity test (OECD TG 236). A stereomicroscope was used to assess hatchability, deformity, heart rate, and swimming speed as endpoints. According to our results of the developmental acute toxicity test, imidacloprid significantly reduced the hatching rate and heartbeats of C. gariepinus embryos. It also influenced the swimming kinematics of exposed embryos and caused teratogenic effects such as yolk sac rupture, pericardial oedema, lordosis, an abnormally shaped head, and altered epiboly. Our results allow us to conclude that imidacloprid is a toxic pesticide in the early life stages of C. gariepinus due to its high teratogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nosakhare Osazee Erhunmwunse
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics (ECOTOX), University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria.
| | - Isioma Tongo
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics (ECOTOX), University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Kelvin Omigie
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
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Elf3 deficiency during zebrafish development alters extracellular matrix organization and disrupts tissue morphogenesis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276255. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
E26 transformation specific (ETS) family transcription factors are expressed during embryogenesis and are involved in various cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and survival of cellular lineages to ensure appropriate development. Dysregulated expression of many of the ETS family members is detected in different cancers. The human ELF3, a member of the ETS family of transcription factors, plays a role in the induction and progression of human cancers is well studied. However, little is known about the role of ELF3 in early development. Here, the zebrafish elf3 was cloned, and its expression was analyzed during zebrafish development. Zebrafish elf3 is maternally deposited. At different developmental stages, elf3 expression was detected in different tissue, mainly neural tissues, endoderm-derived tissues, cartilage, heart, pronephric duct, blood vessels, and notochord. The expression levels were high at the tissue boundaries. Elf3 loss-of-function consequences were examined by using translation blocking antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, and effects were validated using CRISPR/Cas9 knockdown. Elf3-knockdown produced short and bent larvae with notochord, craniofacial cartilage, and fin defects. The extracellular matrix (ECM) in the fin and notochord was disorganized. Neural defects were also observed. Optic nerve fasciculation (bundling) and arborization in the optic tectum were defective in Elf3-morphants, and fragmentation of spinal motor neurons were evident. Dysregulation of genes encoding ECM proteins and matrix metalloprotease (MMP) and disorganization of ECM may play a role in the observed defects in Elf3 morphants. We conclude that zebrafish Elf3 is required for epidermal, mesenchymal, and neural tissue development.
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Sankar S, Jayabalan M, Venkatesh S, Ibrahim M. Effect of hyperglycemia on tbx5a and nppa gene expression and its correlation to structural and functional changes in developing zebrafish heart. Cell Biol Int 2022; 46:2173-2184. [PMID: 36069519 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the current study is to analyze the effects of gestational diabetes on structural and functional changes in correlation with these two essential regulators of developing hearts in vivo using zebrafish embryos. We employed fertilized zebrafish embryos exposed to a hyperglycemic condition of 25 mM glucose for 96 h postfertilization. The embryos were subjected to various structural and functional analyses in a time-course manner. The data showed that exposure to high glucose significantly affected the embryo's size, heart length, heart rate, and looping of the heart compared to the control. Further, we observed an increased incidence of ventricular standstill and valvular regurgitation with a marked reduction of peripheral blood flow in the high glucose-exposed group compared to the control. In addition, the histological data showed that the high-glucose exposure markedly reduced the thickness of the wall and the number of cardiomyocytes in both atrium and ventricles. We also observed striking alterations in the pericardium like edema, increase in diameter with thinning of the wall compared to the control group. Interestingly, the expression of tbx5a and nppa was increased in the early development and found to be repressed in the later stage of development in the hyperglycemic group compared to the control. In conclusion, the developing heart is more susceptible to hyperglycemia in the womb, thereby showing various developmental defects possibly by altering the expression of crucial gene regulators such as tbx5a and nppa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suruthi Sankar
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. ALM Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Monisha Jayabalan
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. ALM Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sundararajan Venkatesh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Muhammed Ibrahim
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. ALM Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Suryanto ME, Saputra F, Kurnia KA, Vasquez RD, Roldan MJM, Chen KHC, Huang JC, Hsiao CD. Using DeepLabCut as a Real-Time and Markerless Tool for Cardiac Physiology Assessment in Zebrafish. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081243. [PMID: 36009871 PMCID: PMC9405297 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary With the advancement of existing technology, artificial intelligence is widely applied in various fields of research, including cardiovascular studies. In this study, we explored the feasibility of conducting a markerless cardiac physiology assessment in zebrafish embryos by using DeepLabCut (DLC), a deep learning tool for motion analysis. Several cardiac parameters, such as heart rate, diastolic–systolic volumes (EDV/ESV), stroke volume, cardiac output, shortening fraction, and ejection fraction were obtained by the DLC-trained model and then compared to the previous published methods, Time Series Analysis and Kymograph. This new method has several advantages, having full automation, precise detection, and real-time labelling. This network was also trained to analyze zebrafish with cardiovascular defects (pericardial edema) induced by chemical treatments with ethanol and ponatinib. It was revealed that the heart rate, EDV/ESV, stroke volume, and cardiac output from both the ethanol and ponatinib groups displayed significant reductions compared with the control. Hopefully, this trained DLC network can contribute to a better understanding and investigation of the existing cardiovascular system and abnormalities. Abstract DeepLabCut (DLC) is a deep learning-based tool initially invented for markerless pose estimation in mammals. In this study, we explored the possibility of adopting this tool for conducting markerless cardiac physiology assessment in an important aquatic toxicology model of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Initially, high-definition videography was applied to capture heartbeat information at a frame rate of 30 frames per second (fps). Next, 20 videos from different individuals were used to perform convolutional neural network training by labeling the heart chamber (ventricle) with eight landmarks. Using Residual Network (ResNet) 152, a neural network with 152 convolutional neural network layers with 500,000 iterations, we successfully obtained a trained model that can track the heart chamber in a real-time manner. Later, we validated DLC performance with the previously published ImageJ Time Series Analysis (TSA) and Kymograph (KYM) methods. We also evaluated DLC performance by challenging experimental animals with ethanol and ponatinib to induce cardiac abnormality and heartbeat irregularity. The results showed that DLC is more accurate than the TSA method in several parameters tested. The DLC-trained model also detected the ventricle of zebrafish embryos even in the occurrence of heart abnormalities, such as pericardial edema. We believe that this tool is beneficial for research studies, especially for cardiac physiology assessment in zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Edbert Suryanto
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
| | - Ferry Saputra
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
| | - Kevin Adi Kurnia
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
| | - Ross D. Vasquez
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1008, Philippines
| | - Marri Jmelou M. Roldan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1008, Philippines
| | - Kelvin H.-C. Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Pingtung University, Pingtung 90003, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Chin Huang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Pingtung University, Pingtung 90003, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Der Hsiao
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Center for Nanotechnology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Research Center for Aquatic Toxicology and Pharmacology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 320314, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Bowley G, Kugler E, Wilkinson R, Lawrie A, van Eeden F, Chico TJA, Evans PC, Noël ES, Serbanovic-Canic J. Zebrafish as a tractable model of human cardiovascular disease. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:900-917. [PMID: 33788282 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian models including non-human primates, pigs and rodents have been used extensively to study the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. However, there is an increasing desire for alternative model systems that provide excellent scientific value while replacing or reducing the use of mammals. Here, we review the use of zebrafish, Danio rerio, to study cardiovascular development and disease. The anatomy and physiology of zebrafish and mammalian cardiovascular systems are compared, and we describe the use of zebrafish models in studying the mechanisms of cardiac (e.g. congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy, conduction disorders and regeneration) and vascular (endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, vascular ageing, neurovascular physiology and stroke) pathologies. We also review the use of zebrafish for studying pharmacological responses to cardiovascular drugs and describe several features of zebrafish that make them a compelling model for in vivo screening of compounds for the treatment cardiovascular disease. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Preclinical Models for Cardiovascular disease research (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.5/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Bowley
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Elizabeth Kugler
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rob Wilkinson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Allan Lawrie
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Freek van Eeden
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tim J A Chico
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul C Evans
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Emily S Noël
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Wang T, Li Q, Chen L, Ni B, Sheng X, Huang P, Zhang S, Chen L, Qin J. Effect of maternal alcohol consumption during the pre-pregnancy/early-pregnancy period on congenital heart disease: A prospective cohort study in Central China. Prev Med 2022; 155:106963. [PMID: 35065976 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.106963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Evidence of associations between maternal alcohol consumption and congenital heart disease (CHD) are mixed. Previous studies have been potentially biased due to recall bias or unmeasured confounding. This study aimed to examine the association of maternal alcohol consumption in 3 months before pregnancy and in early pregnancy with risks of offspring congenital heart disease (CHD) and its seven common subtypes. A prospective cohort study was conducted in Central China. From 03/13/2013 to 12/31/2019, a total of 44,048 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies at 8-14 gestational weeks were included and followed to 3 months postpartum. 564 births were diagnosed with CHD at the end of follow-up. Multivariable modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) of CHD in offspring exposed to maternal alcohol consumption during the pre-pregnancy and early-pregnancy period, adjusting for confounders identified by directed acyclic graphs. In the multivariable analyses, increased risks of CHDs were found in offspring exposed to maternal alcohol consumption both in 3 months before pregnancy (adjusted-RR:3.14; 95% confidence intervals[CIs]:2.30-4.28) and in early pregnancy (adjusted-RR:1.86; 95%CIs:1.13-3.05). More specifically, the offspring exposed to maternal alcohol consumption in 3 months before pregnancy had the highest increased risk of Tetralogy of Fallot (adjusted-RR:8.62; 95%CIs:3.61-20.61). These findings persisted in analyses that were further adjusted for the other behavior variables other than the characteristic being assessed, and were also confirmed by sensitivity analyses. Our study supports the need for continued efforts for public health messages surrounding the potential risks of alcohol consumption prior to or during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qiongxuan Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lizhang Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bin Ni
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoqi Sheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Thoracic Cardiac Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Senmao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Letao Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiabi Qin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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12
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Fernandes Y, Lovely CB. Zebrafish models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Genesis 2021; 59:e23460. [PMID: 34739740 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes a wide range of structural deficits and cognitive impairments. FASD impacts up to 5% of children born in the United States each year, making ethanol one of the most common teratogens. Due to limitations and ethical concerns, studies in humans are limited in their ability to study FASD. Animal models have proven critical in identifying and characterizing the mechanisms underlying FASD. In this review, we will focus on the attributes of zebrafish that make it a strong model in which to study ethanol-induced developmental defects. Zebrafish have several attributes that make it an ideal model in which to study FASD. Zebrafish produced large numbers of externally fertilized, translucent embryos. With a high degree of genetic amenability, zebrafish are at the forefront of identifying and characterizing the gene-ethanol interactions that underlie FASD. Work from multiple labs has shown that embryonic ethanol exposures result in defects in craniofacial, cardiac, ocular, and neural development. In addition to structural defects, ethanol-induced cognitive and behavioral impairments have been studied in zebrafish. Building upon these studies, work has identified ethanol-sensitive loci that underlie the developmental defects. However, analyses show there is still much to be learned of these gene-ethanol interactions. The zebrafish is ideally suited to expand our understanding of gene-ethanol interactions and their impact on FASD. Because of the conservation of gene function between zebrafish and humans, these studies will directly translate to studies of candidate genes in human populations and allow for better diagnosis and treatment of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohaan Fernandes
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
| | - C Ben Lovely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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13
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Popova S, Dozet D, Shield K, Rehm J, Burd L. Alcohol's Impact on the Fetus. Nutrients 2021; 13:3452. [PMID: 34684453 PMCID: PMC8541151 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol is a teratogen and prenatal exposure may adversely impact the developing fetus, increasing risk for negative outcomes, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Global trends of increasing alcohol use among women of childbearing age due to economic development, changing gender roles, increased availability of alcohol, peer pressure and social acceptability of women's alcohol use may put an increasing number of pregnancies at risk for prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). This risk has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in some countries. METHOD This literature review presents an overview on the epidemiology of alcohol use among childbearing age and pregnant women and FASD by World Health Organization regions; impact of PAE on fetal health, including FASD; associated comorbidities; and social outcomes. RESULTS/CONCLUSION The impact of alcohol on fetal health and social outcomes later in life is enormous, placing a huge economic burden on countries. Prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and early identification of affected individuals should be a global public health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Popova
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Danijela Dozet
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kevin Shield
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (D.D.); (K.S.); (J.R.)
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Street 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya Street, 8, b. 2, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Larry Burd
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1301 N Columbia Rd., Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA;
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14
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Ling S, Jenkins MW, Watanabe M, Ford SM, Rollins AM. Prenatal ethanol exposure impairs the conduction delay at the atrioventricular junction in the looping heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 321:H294-H305. [PMID: 34142884 PMCID: PMC8526336 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00107.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of ethanol-related congenital heart defects has been the focus of much study, but most research has concentrated on cellular and molecular mechanisms. We have shown with optical coherence tomography (OCT) that ethanol exposure led to increased retrograde flow and smaller atrioventricular (AV) cushions compared with controls. Since AV cushions play a role in patterning the conduction delay at the atrioventricular junction (AVJ), this study aims to investigate whether ethanol exposure alters the AVJ conduction in early looping hearts and whether this alteration is related to the decreased cushion size. Quail embryos were exposed to a single dose of ethanol at gastrulation, and Hamburger-Hamilton stage 19-20 hearts were dissected for imaging. Cardiac conduction was measured using an optical mapping microscope and we imaged the endocardial cushions using OCT. Our results showed that, compared with controls, ethanol-exposed embryos exhibited abnormally fast AVJ conduction and reduced cushion size. However, this increased conduction velocity (CV) did not strictly correlate with decreased cushion volume and thickness. By matching the CV map to the cushion-size map along the inflow heart tube, we found that the slowest conduction location was consistently at the atrial side of the AVJ, which had the thinner cushions, not at the thickest cushion location at the ventricular side as expected. Our findings reveal regional differences in the AVJ myocardium even at this early stage in heart development. These findings reveal the early steps leading to the heterogeneity and complexity of conduction at the mature AVJ, a site where arrhythmias can be initiated.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the impact of ethanol exposure on the early cardiac conduction system. Our results showed that ethanol-exposed embryos exhibited abnormally fast atrioventricular conduction. In addition, our findings, in CV measurements and endocardial cushion thickness, reveal regional differences in the AVJ myocardium even at this early stage in heart development, suggesting that the differentiation and maturation at this site are complex and warrant further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Ling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Michael W Jenkins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Michiko Watanabe
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Stephanie M Ford
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
- Division of Neonatology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Andrew M Rollins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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15
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Ford SM, Pedersen CJ, Ford MR, Kim JW, Karunamuni GH, McPheeters MT, Jawaid S, Jenkins MW, Rollins AM, Watanabe M. Folic acid prevents functional and structural heart defects induced by prenatal ethanol exposure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00817.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
State-of-the-art biophotonic tools captured blood flow and endocardial cushion volumes in tiny beating quail embryo hearts, an accessible model for studying four-chambered heart development. Both hemodynamic flow and endocardial cushion volumes were altered with ethanol exposure but normalized when folic acid was introduced with ethanol. Folic acid supplementation preserved hemodynamic function that is intimately involved in sculpting the heart from the earliest stages of heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Ford
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Cameron J. Pedersen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Matthew R. Ford
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Ohio
| | - Jun W. Kim
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ganga H. Karunamuni
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Matthew T. McPheeters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Safdar Jawaid
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Michael W. Jenkins
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Andrew M. Rollins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Michiko Watanabe
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
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16
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Erhunmwunse NO, Tongo I, Ezemonye LI. Acute effects of acetaminophen on the developmental, swimming performance and cardiovascular activities of the African catfish embryos/larvae (Clarias gariepinus). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111482. [PMID: 33120276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Acetaminophen is a widely used analgesic that has been detected in many water bodies with few reports concerning its potential toxicity to fish. This study sought to assess the developmental, swimming performance and cardiovascular activities of embryo/larvae catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to acetaminophen. The Organization for Economic Development (OECD) Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (OECD 236) was employed. Fertilized embryo were exposed to different concentrations of acetaminophen (0, 0.5, 1, 10 µg/L) for 96 h. Hatching rates of the embryo were observed to decrease with increasing concentrations of acetaminophen. Fish embryo exposed to acetaminophen displayed varying levels of teratogenic effects at different levels of development in a dose-dependent manner. The results also showed a significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent increase in swimming speed and movement patterns in fish larvae exposed to acetaminophen, with distance travelled in larvae exposed to the highest concentration of acetaminophen (10 µg/L) about eight (8) times the distance travelled by the control larvae, indicating that acetaminophen-induced erratic swimming behaviour in the catfish species. Cardiotoxicity was evident, with a significant reduction in heartbeat rate with increasing concentrations of acetaminophen. The results showed that exposure to acetaminophen resulted in teratogenic, neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects in embryo/larvae of Clarias gariepinus. The findings suggest that acetaminophen which has recently been detected in many water bodies could potentially impact on survival of aquatic life, especially catfish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isioma Tongo
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria; Igbinedion University Okada, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye
- Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria; Igbinedion University Okada, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
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17
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Jawaid S, Strainic JP, Kim J, Ford MR, Thrane L, Karunamuni GH, Sheehan MM, Chowdhury A, Gillespie CA, Rollins AM, Jenkins MW, Watanabe M, Ford SM. Glutathione Protects the Developing Heart from Defects and Global DNA Hypomethylation Induced by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:69-78. [PMID: 33206417 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), the intake of ethanol (C2 H5 OH) during pregnancy. Features of FASD cover a range of structural and functional defects including congenital heart defects (CHDs). Folic acid and choline, contributors of methyl groups to one-carbon metabolism (OCM), prevent CHDs in humans. Using our avian model of FASD, we have previously reported that betaine, another methyl donor downstream of choline, prevents CHDs. The CHD preventions are substantial but incomplete. Ethanol causes oxidative stress as well as depleting methyl groups for OCM to support DNA methylation and other epigenetic alterations. To identify more compounds that can safely and effectively prevent CHDs and other effects of PAE, we tested glutathione (GSH), a compound that regulates OCM and is known as a "master antioxidant." METHODS/RESULTS Quail embryos injected with a single dose of ethanol at gastrulation exhibited congenital defects including CHDs similar to those identified in FASD individuals. GSH injected simultaneously with ethanol not only prevented CHDs, but also improved survival and prevented other PAE-induced defects. Assays of hearts at 8 days (HH stage 34) of quail development, when the heart normally has developed 4-chambers, showed that this single dose of PAE reduced global DNA methylation. GSH supplementation concurrent with PAE normalized global DNA methylation levels. The same assays performed on quail hearts at 3 days (HH stage 19-20) of development, showed no difference in global DNA methylation between controls, ethanol-treated, GSH alone, and GSH plus ethanol-treated cohorts. CONCLUSIONS GSH supplementation shows promise to inhibit effects of PAE by improving survival, reducing the incidence of morphological defects including CHDs, and preventing global hypomethylation of DNA in heart tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safdar Jawaid
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, (SJ, MMS, AMR, MWJ), School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - James P Strainic
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jun Kim
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Lars Thrane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, (SJ, MMS, AMR, MWJ), School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ganga H Karunamuni
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Megan M Sheehan
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, (SJ, MMS, AMR, MWJ), School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Amrin Chowdhury
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, (AC), Broadview Heights, Ohio, USA
| | - Caitlyn A Gillespie
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Fisk University, (CAG), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrew M Rollins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, (SJ, MMS, AMR, MWJ), School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael W Jenkins
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, (SJ, MMS, AMR, MWJ), School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Michiko Watanabe
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephanie M Ford
- From the, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, (SJ, JPS, GHK, MMS, AC, CAG, MWJ, MW, SMF), Department of Pediatrics, The Congenital Heart Collaborative, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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18
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Cadena PG, Sales Cadena MR, Sarmah S, Marrs JA. Protective effects of quercetin, polydatin, and folic acid and their mixtures in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) fetal alcohol spectrum disorder model. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2020; 82:106928. [PMID: 32861842 PMCID: PMC7669573 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Protective effects of quercetin (QUE), polydatin (POL), and folic acid (FA) and their mixtures were tested using zebrafish to model fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in this study. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 150 mM ethanol for 6 or 22 h and co-treated with QUE, POL, FA, and their mixtures (37.5-100.0 μM). Epiboly progression, teratogenic effects, and behavior were evaluated. Ethanol exposure reduced epiboly, and FA and QUE protected against these ethanol-induced defects. POL did not reduce epiboly defects. The mixture QUE + FA showed a possible antagonistic effect. The observed teratogenic effects were similar in all ethanol exposed groups. QUE, FA and QUE + POL reduced the percentage of affected animals, but treatments did not eliminate teratogenic effects. Behavioral measurements were divided into small (between 4 and 8 mm/s) and high swimming activity (>8 mm/s). All experimental groups displayed a reduction in small swimming activity as compared to control and ethanol groups when exposed to bright light. Additionally, larvae exposed to ethanol were more inhibited than control, not showing a habituation period (after 60 min of experiment) in high swimming activity. Chemical treatments like QUE and POL reduced behavioral defects induced by ethanol exposure. In conclusion, this study presents new evidence that QUE, POL, FA and their mixtures partially protected epiboly, teratogenic, and behavioral defects induced by ethanol exposure. QUE, FA and QUE + POL were more effective in reducing these defects than the other studied compounds and mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pabyton Gonçalves Cadena
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil; Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Marilia Ribeiro Sales Cadena
- Departamento de Biologia (DB), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil; Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - James A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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19
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Cadena PG, Cadena MRS, Sarmah S, Marrs JA. Folic acid reduces the ethanol-induced morphological and behavioral defects in embryonic and larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:249-257. [PMID: 32763456 PMCID: PMC7858698 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this work was to determine whether folic acid (FA) reduces the embryonic ethanol (EtOH) exposure induced behavioral and morphological defects in our zebrafish fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) model. Teratogenic effects, mortality, the excitatory light-dark locomotion (ELD), sleep (SL), thigmotaxis (TH), touch sensitivity (TS), and optomotor response (OMR) tests were evaluated in larvae (6-7 days post-fertilization) using four treatment conditions: Untreated, FA, EtOH and EtOH + FA. FA reduced morphological defects on heart, eyes and swim bladder inflation seen in EtOH exposed fish. The larvae were more active in the dark than in light conditions, and EtOH reduced the swimming activity in the ELD test. EtOH affected the sleep pattern, inducing several arousal periods and increasing inactivity in zebrafish. FA reduces these toxic effects and produced more consistent inactivity during the night, reducing the arousal periods. FA also prevented the EtOH-induced defects in thigmotaxis and optomotor response of the larvae. We conclude that in this FASD model, EtOH exposure produced several teratogenic and behavioral defects, FA reduced, but did not totally prevent, these defects. Understanding of EtOH-induced behavioral defects could help to identify new therapeutic or prevention strategies for FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pabyton Gonçalves Cadena
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brazil; Department of Biology, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Marilia Ribeiro Sales Cadena
- Departamento de Biologia (DB), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, 52171-900, Dois Irmãos, Recife - PE, Brazil; Department of Biology, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - James A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 West Michigan, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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20
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Marijuana and Opioid Use during Pregnancy: Using Zebrafish to Gain Understanding of Congenital Anomalies Caused by Drug Exposure during Development. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8080279. [PMID: 32784457 PMCID: PMC7460517 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8080279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Marijuana and opioid addictions have increased alarmingly in recent decades, especially in the United States, posing threats to society. When the drug user is a pregnant mother, there is a serious risk to the developing baby. Congenital anomalies are associated with prenatal exposure to marijuana and opioids. Here, we summarize the current data on the prevalence of marijuana and opioid use among the people of the United States, particularly pregnant mothers. We also summarize the current zebrafish studies used to model and understand the effects of these drug exposures during development and to understand the behavioral changes after exposure. Zebrafish experiments recapitulate the drug effects seen in human addicts and the birth defects seen in human babies prenatally exposed to marijuana and opioids. Zebrafish show great potential as an easy and inexpensive model for screening compounds for their ability to mitigate the drug effects, which could lead to new therapeutics.
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21
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Chen Z, Li S, Guo L, Peng X, Liu Y. Prenatal alcohol exposure induced congenital heart diseases: From bench to bedside. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:521-534. [PMID: 32578335 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is increasing worldwide. Many child-bearing-aged women consume alcohol during pregnancy, intentionally or unintentionally, thereby increasing the potential risk for severe congenital diseases. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect worldwide and can result from both hereditary and acquired factors. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is considered a key factor that leads to teratogenesis in CHD and its specific phenotypes, especially defects of the cardiac septa, cardiac valves, cardiac canals, and great arteries, adjacent to the chambers, both in animal experiments and clinical retrospective studies. The mechanisms underlying CHD and its phenotypes caused by PAE are associated with changes in retinoic acid biosynthesis and its signaling pathway, apoptosis and defective function of cardiac neural crest cells, disturbance of the Wntβ-catenin signaling pathway, suppression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, and other epigenetic mechanisms. Drug supplements and early diagnosis can help prevent PAE from inducing CHDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, Sichuan, China.,Department of Research, Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, Sichuan, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, Sichuan, China.,Department of Research, Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, Sichuan, China
| | - Linghong Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Sciences & Forensic Medicine; Animal Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Sciences & Forensic Medicine; Animal Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, Sichuan, China.,Department of Research, Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, Sichuan, China.,Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Sciences & Forensic Medicine; Animal Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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22
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Jiang Q, Lu D, Wang F, Zhang Y, Cao L, Gui Y, Sun S. Folic acid supplement rescues ethanol-induced developmental defects in the zebrafish embryos. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2020; 52:536-545. [PMID: 32369106 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmaa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD) describes a range of birth defects. Mechanisms of FASD-associated defects are not well understood. It has great significance to investigate whether nutrient supplements like folic acid (FA) can effectively rescue ethanol-induced defects. Moreover, it is very important to determine the optimal time for FA supplementation when it can most effectively antagonize the teratogenic effects of ethanol during embryonic development. Our results indicated that ethanol exposure interrupted the development of zebrafish embryos and induced multiple defects in cardiac function, pharyngeal arch arteries, vessel, craniofacial cartilage, pharyngeal arches, brain, somite and hemoglobin formation. The expressions of critical genes that play important roles in above organs such as tbx1, flk-1, hand2, ngn1, huc, titin, gata-1 and c-myb were reduced, and the apoptosis was increased in ethanol-treated group. FA supplementation could reverse ethanol-induced defects, improve the decreased expressions of above genes and reduce the apoptosis. We also found that giving FA at 6-12 h post-fertilization (hpf), which is at the gastrula period (5.25-10 hpf), can obviously prevent the teratogenicity of ethanol. This research provides clues for elucidating the mechanism of fetal abnormalities caused by alcohol intake and for preventing FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Jiang
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ding Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Municipal Eighth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Children’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Yawen Zhang
- Children’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Ultrasound, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yonghao Gui
- Children’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Shuna Sun
- Children’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
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23
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Shrestha R, Lieberth J, Tillman S, Natalizio J, Bloomekatz J. Using Zebrafish to Analyze the Genetic and Environmental Etiologies of Congenital Heart Defects. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1236:189-223. [PMID: 32304074 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-2389-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most common human birth defects. However, the etiology of a large proportion of CHDs remains undefined. Studies identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cardiac development have been critical to elucidating the origin of CHDs. Building upon this knowledge to understand the pathogenesis of CHDs requires examining how genetic or environmental stress changes normal cardiac development. Due to strong molecular conservation to humans and unique technical advantages, studies using zebrafish have elucidated both fundamental principles of cardiac development and have been used to create cardiac disease models. In this chapter we examine the unique toolset available to zebrafish researchers and how those tools are used to interrogate the genetic and environmental contributions to CHDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabina Shrestha
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Jaret Lieberth
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Savanna Tillman
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Joseph Natalizio
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
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24
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Rampoldi A, Singh M, Wu Q, Duan M, Jha R, Maxwell JT, Bradner JM, Zhang X, Saraf A, Miller GW, Gibson G, Brown LA, Xu C. Cardiac Toxicity From Ethanol Exposure in Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Toxicol Sci 2020; 169:280-292. [PMID: 31059573 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use prior to and during pregnancy remains a significant societal problem and can lead to developmental fetal abnormalities including compromised myocardia function and increased risk for heart disease later in life. Alcohol-induced cardiac toxicity has traditionally been studied in animal-based models. These models have limitations due to physiological differences from human cardiomyocytes (CMs) and are also not suitable for high-throughput screening. We hypothesized that human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs (hiPSC-CMs) could serve as a useful tool to study alcohol-induced cardiac defects and/or toxicity. In this study, hiPSC-CMs were treated with ethanol at doses corresponding to the clinically relevant levels of alcohol intoxication. hiPSC-CMs exposed to ethanol showed a dose-dependent increase in cellular damage and decrease in cell viability, corresponding to increased production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, ethanol exposure also generated dose-dependent increased irregular Ca2+ transients and contractility in hiPSC-CMs. RNA-seq analysis showed significant alteration in genes belonging to the potassium voltage-gated channel family or solute carrier family, partially explaining the irregular Ca2+ transients and contractility in ethanol-treated hiPSC-CMs. RNA-seq also showed significant upregulation in the expression of genes associated with collagen and extracellular matrix modeling, and downregulation of genes involved in cardiovascular system development and actin filament-based process. These results suggest that hiPSC-CMs can be a novel and physiologically relevant system for the study of alcohol-induced cardiac toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rampoldi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Monalisa Singh
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Qingling Wu
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Meixue Duan
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rajneesh Jha
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joshua T Maxwell
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joshua M Bradner
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Anita Saraf
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gary W Miller
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Greg Gibson
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lou Ann Brown
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chunhui Xu
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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25
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Sarmah S, Srivastava R, McClintick JN, Janga SC, Edenberg HJ, Marrs JA. Embryonic ethanol exposure alters expression of sox2 and other early transcripts in zebrafish, producing gastrulation defects. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3951. [PMID: 32127575 PMCID: PMC7054311 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59043-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethanol exposure during prenatal development causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the most frequent preventable birth defect and neurodevelopmental disability syndrome. The molecular targets of ethanol toxicity during development are poorly understood. Developmental stages surrounding gastrulation are very sensitive to ethanol exposure. To understand the effects of ethanol on early transcripts during embryogenesis, we treated zebrafish embryos with ethanol during pre-gastrulation period and examined the transcripts by Affymetrix GeneChip microarray before gastrulation. We identified 521 significantly dysregulated genes, including 61 transcription factors in ethanol-exposed embryos. Sox2, the key regulator of pluripotency and early development was significantly reduced. Functional annotation analysis showed enrichment in transcription regulation, embryonic axes patterning, and signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch and retinoic acid. We identified all potential genomic targets of 25 dysregulated transcription factors and compared their interactions with the ethanol-dysregulated genes. This analysis predicted that Sox2 targeted a large number of ethanol-dysregulated genes. A gene regulatory network analysis showed that many of the dysregulated genes are targeted by multiple transcription factors. Injection of sox2 mRNA partially rescued ethanol-induced gene expression, epiboly and gastrulation defects. Additional studies of this ethanol dysregulated network may identify therapeutic targets that coordinately regulate early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Rajneesh Srivastava
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jeanette N McClintick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Sarath C Janga
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Howard J Edenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - James A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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26
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Ki S, Kwon SH, Eum J, Raslan AA, Kim KN, Hwang BJ, Kee Y. 3D light-sheet assay assessing novel valproate-associated cardiotoxicity and folic acid relief in zebrafish embryogenesis. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 227:551-560. [PMID: 31004822 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Precise in vivo toxicological assays to determine the cardiotoxicity of pharmaceuticals and their waste products are essential in order to evaluate their risks to humans and the environment following industrial release. In the present study, we aimed to develop the sensitive imaging-based cardiotoxicity assay and combined 3D light-sheet microscopy with a zebrafish model to identify hidden cardiovascular anomalies induced by valproic acid (VPA) exposure. The zebrafish model is advantageous for this assessment because its embryos remain transparent. The 3D spatial localization of fluorescence-labeled cardiac cells in and around the heart using light-sheet technology revealed dislocalization of the heart from the outflow tract in two-day-old zebrafish embryos treated with 50 μM and 100 μM VPA (P < 0.01) and those embryos exposed to 20 μM VPA presented hypoplastic distal ventricles (P < 0.01). These two observed phenotypes are second heart field-derived cardiac defects. Quantitative analysis of the light-sheet imaging demonstrated that folic acid (FA) supplementation significantly increased the numbers of endocardial and myocardial cells (P < 0.05) and the accretion of second heart field-derived cardiomyocytes to the arterial pole of the outflow tract. The heart rate increased in response to the cellular changes occurring in embryonic heart development (P < 0.05). The present study disclosed the cellular mechanism underlying the role of FA in spontaneous cellular changes in cardiogenesis and in VPA-associated cardiotoxicity. The 3D light-sheet assay may be the next-generation test to evaluate the risks of previously undetected pharmaceutical and environmental cardiotoxicities in both humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyoung Ki
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hae Kwon
- Korea Basic Science Institute Chuncheon Center, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Juneyong Eum
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Ahmed A Raslan
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Kil-Nam Kim
- Korea Basic Science Institute Chuncheon Center, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Byung Joon Hwang
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea.
| | - Yun Kee
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea.
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27
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Tseng AM, Mahnke AH, Wells AB, Salem NA, Allan AM, Roberts VH, Newman N, Walter NA, Kroenke CD, Grant KA, Akison LK, Moritz KM, Chambers CD, Miranda RC. Maternal circulating miRNAs that predict infant FASD outcomes influence placental maturation. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/2/e201800252. [PMID: 30833415 PMCID: PMC6399548 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal gestational circulating microRNAs, predictive of adverse infant outcomes, including growth deficits, following prenatal alcohol exposure, contribute to placental pathology by impairing the EMT pathway in trophoblasts. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), like other pregnancy complications, can result in placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction, although the linking causal mechanisms are unclear. We previously identified 11 gestationally elevated maternal circulating miRNAs (HEamiRNAs) that predicted infant growth deficits following PAE. Here, we investigated whether these HEamiRNAs contribute to the pathology of PAE, by inhibiting trophoblast epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a pathway critical for placental development. We now report for the first time that PAE inhibits expression of placental pro-EMT pathway members in both rodents and primates, and that HEamiRNAs collectively, but not individually, mediate placental EMT inhibition. HEamiRNAs collectively, but not individually, also inhibited cell proliferation and the EMT pathway in cultured trophoblasts, while inducing cell stress, and following trophoblast syncytialization, aberrant endocrine maturation. Moreover, a single intravascular administration of the pooled murine-expressed HEamiRNAs, to pregnant mice, decreased placental and fetal growth and inhibited the expression of pro-EMT transcripts in the placenta. Our data suggest that HEamiRNAs collectively interfere with placental development, contributing to the pathology of PAE, and perhaps also, to other causes of fetal growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Tseng
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Amanda H Mahnke
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Alan B Wells
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nihal A Salem
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Andrea M Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Victoria Hj Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Natali Newman
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Nicole Ar Walter
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lisa K Akison
- Child Health Research Centre and School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- Child Health Research Centre and School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christina D Chambers
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rajesh C Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
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28
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Ornoy A, Koren G, Yanai J. Is post exposure prevention of teratogenic damage possible: Studies on diabetes, valproic acid, alcohol and anti folates in pregnancy: Animal studies with reflection to human. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 80:92-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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29
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Muralidharan P, Sarmah S, Marrs JA. Retinal Wnt signaling defect in a zebrafish fetal alcohol spectrum disorder model. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201659. [PMID: 30067812 PMCID: PMC6070267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure includes ocular abnormalities (microphthalmia, photoreceptor dysfunction, cataracts). Zebrafish embryos exposed to ethanol from gastrulation through somitogenesis show severe ocular defects, including microphthalmia and photoreceptor differentiation defects. Ethanol-treated zebrafish had an enlarged ciliary marginal zone (CMZ) relative to the retina size and reduced Müller glial cells (MGCs). Ethanol exposure produced immature photoreceptors with increased proliferation, indicating cell cycle exit failure. Signaling mechanisms in the CMZ were affected by embryonic ethanol exposure, including Wnt signaling in the CMZ, Notch signaling and neurod gene expression. Retinoic acid or folic acid co-supplementation with ethanol rescued Wnt signaling and retinal differentiation. Activating Wnt signaling using GSK3 inhibitor (LSN 2105786; Eli Lilly and Co.) restored retinal cell differentiation pathways. Ethanol exposed embryos were treated with Wnt agonist, which rescued Wnt-active cells in the CMZ, Notch-active cells in the retina, proliferation, and photoreceptor terminal differentiation. Our results illustrate the critical role of Wnt signaling in ethanol-induced retinal defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Muralidharan
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - James A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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30
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Tang X, Eberhart JK, Cleves MA, Li J, Li M, MacLeod S, Nembhard WN, Hobbs CA. PDGFRA gene, maternal binge drinking and obstructive heart defects. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11083. [PMID: 30038270 PMCID: PMC6056529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29160-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Obstructive heart defects (OHDs) are a major health concern worldwide. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) genes are known to have regulatory functions that are essential for proper heart development. In a zebrafish model, Pdgfra was further demonstrated to interact with ethanol during craniofacial development. In this article, we investigated interactions between variants in PDGF genes and periconceptional alcohol exposure on the risk of OHDs by applying log-linear models to 806 OHD case and 995 control families enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. The interactions between four variants in PDGFA and maternal binge drinking reached a nominal significance level. The maternal T allele of rs869978 was estimated to increase OHD risk among women who binge drink, while infant genotypes of rs2291591, rs2228230, rs1547904, and rs869978 may reduce the risk. Although none of these associations remain statistically significant after multiple testing adjustment and the estimated maternal effect may be influenced by unknown confounding factors, such as maternal smoking, these findings are consistent with previous animal studies supporting potential interactions between the PDGFRA gene and maternal alcohol exposure. Replication studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further elucidate this potential interplay and its influence on OHD risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Tang
- Biostatistics Program, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, 72202, USA
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Department of Molecular and Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology and Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas, Austin, 78712, USA
| | - Mario A Cleves
- Biostatistics Program, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, 72202, USA
| | - Jingyun Li
- Biostatistics Program, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, 72202, USA
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University at Bloomington, Bloomington, 47405, USA
| | - Stewart MacLeod
- Division of Birth Defects Research, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, 72202, USA
| | - Wendy N Nembhard
- Division of Birth Defects Research, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, 72202, USA
| | - Charlotte A Hobbs
- Division of Birth Defects Research, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, 72202, USA.
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31
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Fernandes Y, Buckley DM, Eberhart JK. Diving into the world of alcohol teratogenesis: a review of zebrafish models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 96:88-97. [PMID: 28817785 PMCID: PMC7413215 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2017-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to the entire suite of deleterious outcomes resulting from embryonic exposure to alcohol. Along with other reviews in this special issue, we provide insight into how animal models, specifically the zebrafish, have informed our understanding of FASD. We first provide a brief introduction to FASD. We discuss the zebrafish as a model organism and its strengths for alcohol research. We detail how zebrafish has been used to model some of the major defects present in FASD. These include behavioral defects, such as social behavior as well as learning and memory, and structural defects, disrupting organs such as the brain, sensory organs, heart, and craniofacial skeleton. We provide insights into how zebrafish research has aided in our understanding of the mechanisms of ethanol teratogenesis. We end by providing some relatively recent advances that zebrafish has provided in characterizing gene-ethanol interactions that may underlie FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohaan Fernandes
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
| | - Desire M Buckley
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
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32
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Lin KH, Chiu CH, Kuo WW, Ju DT, Shen CY, Chen RJ, Lin CC, Viswanadha VP, Liu JS, Huang RFS, Huang CY. The preventive effects of edible folic acid on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and survival in early onset triple-transgenic Alzheimer's disease model mice. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:83-92. [PMID: 29068127 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, neuropathological and epidemiological studies have indicated an association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and several cardiovascular risk factors. In this study, the cardio-protective effects of folic acid (FA) in early stage AD was elucidated using a triple-transgenic (3xTg) Alzheimer's mouse model. Eleven-month-old C57BL/6 mice and 3xTg mice were assigned to five groups. During the four-month treatment period, the low-FA treatment group received FA through their diet, and the high-FA treatment groups received 3 mg/dl folate in drinking water and were also gastric-fed 1.2 mg/kg folate every day. In the C57B1/6J mice, treatment with high doses of FA (HFA) did not show any considerable effect compared to the control group or the low-dose dietary FA treatment group. However, Alzheimer's mice treated with HFA showed enhanced cardio-protection. Western blot analysis revealed that FA treatment restored SIRT1 expression, which was suppressed in 3xTg mice, through enhanced AMPK expression. FA significantly enhanced the IGF1 receptor survival mechanism in the hearts of the 3xTg mice and suppressed the expression-intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis-associated proteins. The results suggest that FA intake may significantly alleviate cellular pathological events in the heart associated with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Ho Lin
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Wen Kuo
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Da-Tong Ju
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yao Shen
- Department of Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Ray-Jade Chen
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chung Lin
- Orthopaedic Department, Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Jian-Sheng Liu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Yunlin County, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Yunlin County, Taiwan
| | - Rwei-Fen S Huang
- Department of Nutritional Science, , Graduate Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, Fu Jen University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Huang
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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33
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Embryonic Ethanol Exposure Affects Early- and Late-Added Cardiac Precursors and Produces Long-Lasting Heart Chamber Defects in Zebrafish. TOXICS 2017; 5:toxics5040035. [PMID: 29194345 PMCID: PMC5750563 DOI: 10.3390/toxics5040035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Drinking mothers expose their fetuses to ethanol, which produces birth defects: craniofacial defects, cognitive impairment, sensorimotor disabilities and organ deformities, collectively termed as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Various congenital heart defects (CHDs) are present in FASD patients, but the mechanisms of alcohol-induced cardiogenesis defects are not completely understood. This study utilized zebrafish embryos and older larvae to understand FASD-associated CHDs. Ethanol-induced cardiac chamber defects initiated during embryonic cardiogenesis persisted in later zebrafish life. In addition, myocardial damage was recognizable in the ventricle of the larvae that were exposed to ethanol during embryogenesis. Our studies of the pathogenesis revealed that ethanol exposure delayed differentiation of first and second heart fields and reduced the number of early- and late-added cardiomyocytes in the heart. Ethanol exposure also reduced the number of endocardial cells. Together, this study showed that ethanol-induced heart defects were present in late-stage zebrafish larvae. Reduced numbers of cardiomyocytes partly accounts for the ethanol-induced zebrafish heart defects.
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Tu HC, Lee GH, Hsiao TH, Kao TT, Wang TY, Tsai JN, Fu TF. One crisis, diverse impacts-Tissue-specificity of folate deficiency-induced circulation defects in zebrafish larvae. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188585. [PMID: 29176804 PMCID: PMC5703520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate (vitamin B9) is an essential nutrient required for cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and therefore embryogenesis. Folate deficiency has been associated with many diseases, including congenital heart diseases and megaloblastic anemia, yet the mechanisms underlying these remains elusive. Here, we examine the impact of folate deficiency on the development of the circulation system using a zebrafish transgenic line which displays inducible folate deficiency. Impaired hematopoiesis includes decreased hemoglobin levels, decreased erythrocyte number, increased erythrocyte size and aberrant c-myb expression pattern were observed in folate deficient embryos. Cardiac defects, including smaller chamber size, aberrant cardiac function and cmlc2 expression pattern, were also apparent in folate deficient embryos. Characterization of intracellular folate content in folate deficiency revealed a differential fluctuation among the different folate derivatives that carry a single carbon group at different oxidation levels. Rescue attempts by folic acid and nucleotides resulted in differential responses among affected tissues, suggesting that different pathomechanisms are involved in folate deficiency-induced anomalies in a tissue-specific manner. The results of the current study provide an explanation for the inconsistent outcome observed clinically in patients suffering from folate deficiency and/or receiving folate supplementation. This study also supports the use of this model for further research on the defective cardiogenesis and hematopoiesis caused by folate deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Chi Tu
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Gang-Hui Lee
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsun-Hsien Hsiao
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tseng-Ting Kao
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ya Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Ning Tsai
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Fun Fu
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Yue C, Ji C, Zhang H, Zhang LW, Tong J, Jiang Y, Chen T. Protective effects of folic acid on PM2.5-induced cardiac developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos by targeting AhR and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2017; 32:2316-2322. [PMID: 28722335 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Our previous observations indicated that extractable organic matter (EOM) from PM2.5 induced malformations in the heart of zebrafish embryos by activating AhR and inhibiting canonical Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. As a nutritional factor, folic acid (FA) is reported to prevent cardiac defects during embryo development. Hence, we hypothesize that FA may prevent PM2.5-induced heart defects by interfering with AhR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Our results showed that FA supplementation alleviated the EOM-induced heart defects in zebrafish embryos, and both AhR inhibitor CH223191 and Wnt activator CHIR99021 enhanced the protective efficiency of FA. Furthermore, FA supplementation attenuated the EOM-induced upregulation of AhR and its target genes including Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1, Ahrra, and Ahrrb. EROD assay confirmed that the EOM agonized Cyp1a1 activity was diminished by FA. The EOM-induced downregulation of β-catenin and its target genes including Nkx2.5, Axin2, Sox9b, and Cox2b were recovered or even overexpressed in embryos exposed to EOM plus FA. In conclusion, our study suggested that FA supplementation protected against PM2.5 cardiac development toxicity by targeting AhR and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Yue
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Cheng Ji
- Department of Genetics, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Leshuai W Zhang
- School for Radiological and interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215123, China
| | - Jian Tong
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yan Jiang
- Department of Physiology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Muralidharan P, Connors CT, Mohammed AS, Sarmah S, Marrs K, Marrs JA, Chism GW. Turmeric Extract Rescues Ethanol-Induced Developmental Defect in the Zebrafish Model for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). J Food Sci 2017; 82:2221-2225. [PMID: 28796310 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.13830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure causes the most frequent preventable birth disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The effect of turmeric extracts in rescuing an ethanol-induced developmental defect using zebrafish as a model was determined. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress is one of the major mechanisms underlying FASD. We hypothesize that antioxidant inducing properties of turmeric may alleviate ethanol-induced defects. Curcuminoid content of the turmeric powder extract (5 mg/mL turmeric in ethanol) was determined by UPLC and found to contain Curcumin (124.1 ± 0.2 μg/mL), Desmethoxycurcumin (43.4 ± 0.1 μg/mL), and Bisdemethoxycurcumin (36.6 ± 0.1 μg/mL). Zebrafish embryos were treated with 100 mM (0.6% v/v) ethanol during gastrulation through organogenesis (2 to 48 h postfertilization (hpf)) and supplemented with turmeric extract to obtain total curcuminoid concentrations of 0, 1.16, 1.72, or 2.32 μM. Turmeric supplementation showed significant rescue of the body length at 72 hpf compared to ethanol-treated embryos. The mechanism underlying the rescue remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Muralidharan
- Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202, U.S.A
| | - Craig T Connors
- Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202, U.S.A
| | - Arooj S Mohammed
- Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202, U.S.A
| | - Swapnalee Sarmah
- Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202, U.S.A
| | - Kathleen Marrs
- Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202, U.S.A
| | - James A Marrs
- Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202, U.S.A
| | - Grady W Chism
- Dept. of Biology, Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202, U.S.A
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Ferdous J, Mukherjee R, Ahmed KT, Ali DW. Retinoic acid prevents synaptic deficiencies induced by alcohol exposure during gastrulation in zebrafish embryos. Neurotoxicology 2017; 62:100-110. [PMID: 28587808 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we examined the effects of alcohol exposure during gastrulation on zebrafish embryos, specifically focusing on excitatory synaptic activity associated with neurons (Mauthner cells) that are born during gastrulation. Furthermore, we determined whether co-treatment of alcohol and retinoic acid (RA) could prevent the effects of alcohol exposure during gastrulation. We exposed zebrafish embryos to ethanol (150mM), RA (1nM), or a combination of RA (1nM) plus ethanol (150mM) for 5.5h from 5.25h post fertilization (hpf) to 10.75 hpf (gastrulation). Ethanol treatment resulted in altered hatching rates, survivability and body lengths. Immunohistochemical analysis of Mauthner cells (M-cells) suggested that ethanol treatment resulted in smaller M-cell bodies and thinner axons, while electrophysiological recordings of AMPA miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) associated with M-cells showed that ethanol treated animals had a significantly reduced mEPSC frequency. Other mEPSC parameters such as amplitude, rise times and decay kinetics were not altered by exposure to alcohol. Locomotor studies showed that ethanol treatment resulted in altered C-bend escape responses. For instance, the C-bends of alcohol-treated fish were larger than control embryos. Thus, ethanol treatment during gastrulation altered a range of features in embryonic zebrafish. Importantly, co-treatment with RA prevented all of the effects of ethanol including survivability, body length, M-cell morphology, AMPA mEPSC frequency and escape response movements. Together these findings show that ethanol exposure during the brief period of gastrulation has a significant effect on neuronal morphology and activity, and that this can be prevented with RA co-treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ferdous
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - R Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - K T Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - D W Ali
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9 Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9 Canada; Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9 Canada.
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Vargas RA. Effects of GABA, Neural Regulation, and Intrinsic Cardiac Factors on Heart Rate Variability in Zebrafish Larvae. Zebrafish 2017; 14:106-117. [DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Antonio Vargas
- Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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Abstract
Alcohol has always been present in human life, and currently it is estimated that 50% of women of childbearing age consume alcohol. It has become increasingly clear over the last years that alcohol exposure during fetal development can have detrimental effects on various organ systems, and these effects are exerted by alcohol through multiple means, including effects on free radical formation, cellular apoptosis, as well as gene expression. Fetal alcohol exposure can lead to a spectrum of short term as well as long-term problems, with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome being on the more severe end of that spectrum. This syndrome is morbid, yet preventable, and is characterized by midfacial hypoplasia, thin upper lip, widely spaced small eyes, long smooth philtrum and inner epicanthal folds. Other findings include growth restriction as well as various neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This article is the first comprehensive review combining the molecular as well as the gross physiological and anatomical effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy on various organ systems in the body. Our knowledge of these various mechanisms is crucial for our understanding of how alcohol exposure during fetal development can lead to its detrimental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie R Nakhoul
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Karl E Seif
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Natasha Haddad
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Georges E Haddad
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D.C, USA
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Sarmah S, Marrs JA. Zebrafish as a Vertebrate Model System to Evaluate Effects of Environmental Toxicants on Cardiac Development and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17122123. [PMID: 27999267 PMCID: PMC5187923 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17122123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a serious problem of the modern world that possesses a major threat to public health. Exposure to environmental pollutants during embryonic development is particularly risky. Although many pollutants have been verified as potential toxicants, there are new chemicals in the environment that need assessment. Heart development is an extremely sensitive process, which can be affected by environmentally toxic molecule exposure during embryonic development. Congenital heart defects are the most common life-threatening global health problems, and the etiology is mostly unknown. The zebrafish has emerged as an invaluable model to examine substance toxicity on vertebrate development, particularly on cardiac development. The zebrafish offers numerous advantages for toxicology research not found in other model systems. Many laboratories have used the zebrafish to study the effects of widespread chemicals in the environment on heart development, including pesticides, nanoparticles, and various organic pollutants. Here, we review the uses of the zebrafish in examining effects of exposure to external molecules during embryonic development in causing cardiac defects, including chemicals ubiquitous in the environment and illicit drugs. Known or potential mechanisms of toxicity and how zebrafish research can be used to provide mechanistic understanding of cardiac defects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - James A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Sarmah S, Muralidharan P, Marrs JA. Common congenital anomalies: Environmental causes and prevention with folic acid containing multivitamins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 108:274-286. [PMID: 27718306 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital anomalies, congenital defects, or birth defects are significant causes of death in infants. The most common congenital defects are congenital heart defects (CHDs) and neural tube defects (NTDs). Defects induced by genetic mutations, environmental exposure to toxins, or a combination of these effects can result in congenital malformations, leading to infant death or long-term disabilities. These defects produce significant mortality and morbidity in the affected individuals, and families are affected emotional and financially. Also, society is impacted on many levels. Congenital anomalies may be reduced by dietary supplements of folic acid and other vitamins. Here, we review the evidence for specific roles of toxins (alcohol, cigarette smoke) in causing common severe congenital anomalies like CHDs, NTDs, and ocular defects. We also review the evidence for beneficial effects for dietary supplementation, and highlight gaps in our knowledge, where research may contribute to additional benefits of intervention that can reduce birth defects. Extensive discussion of common severe congenital anomalies (CHDs, NTDs, and ocular defects) illustrates the effects of diet on the frequency and severity of these defects. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 108:274-286, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.
| | - Pooja Muralidharan
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
| | - James A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.
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Lovely CB, Fernandes Y, Eberhart JK. Fishing for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Zebrafish as a Model for Ethanol Teratogenesis. Zebrafish 2016; 13:391-8. [PMID: 27186793 PMCID: PMC5035362 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describes a wide array of ethanol-induced developmental defects, including craniofacial dysmorphology and cognitive impairments. It affects ∼1 in 100 children born in the United States each year. Due to the pleiotropic effects of ethanol, animal models have proven critical in characterizing the mechanisms of ethanol teratogenesis. In this review, we focus on the utility of zebrafish in characterizing ethanol-induced developmental defects. A growing number of laboratories have focused on using zebrafish to examine ethanol-induced defects in craniofacial, cardiac, ocular, and neural development, as well as cognitive and behavioral impairments. Growing evidence supports that genetic predisposition plays a role in these ethanol-induced defects, yet little is understood about these gene-ethanol interactions. With a high degree of genetic amenability, zebrafish is at the forefront of identifying and characterizing the gene-ethanol interactions that underlie FASD. Because of the conservation of gene function between zebrafish and humans, these studies will directly translate to studies of candidate genes in human populations and allow for better diagnosis and treatment of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yohaan Fernandes
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
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Embryonic Ethanol Exposure Dysregulates BMP and Notch Signaling, Leading to Persistent Atrio-Ventricular Valve Defects in Zebrafish. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161205. [PMID: 27556898 PMCID: PMC4996461 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), birth defects associated with ethanol exposure in utero, includes a wide spectrum of congenital heart defects (CHDs), the most prevalent of which are septal and conotruncal defects. Zebrafish FASD model was used to dissect the mechanisms underlying FASD-associated CHDs. Embryonic ethanol exposure (3–24 hours post fertilization) led to defects in atrio-ventricular (AV) valvulogenesis beginning around 37 hpf, a morphogenetic event that arises long after ethanol withdrawal. Valve leaflets of the control embryos comprised two layers of cells confined at the compact atrio-ventricular canal (AVC). Ethanol treated embryos had extended AVC and valve forming cells were found either as rows of cells spanning the AVC or as unorganized clusters near the AV boundary. Ethanol exposure reduced valve precursors at the AVC, but some ventricular cells in ethanol treated embryos exhibited few characteristics of valve precursors. Late staged larvae and juvenile fish exposed to ethanol during embryonic development had faulty AV valves. Examination of AVC morphogenesis regulatory networks revealed that early ethanol exposure disrupted the Bmp signaling gradient in the heart during valve formation. Bmp signaling was prominent at the AVC in controls, but ethanol-exposed embryos displayed active Bmp signaling throughout the ventricle. Ethanol exposure also led to mislocalization of Notch signaling cells in endocardium during AV valve formation. Normally, highly active Notch signaling cells were organized at the AVC. In ethanol-exposed embryos, highly active Notch signaling cells were dispersed throughout the ventricle. At later stages, ethanol-exposed embryos exhibited reduced Wnt/β-catenin activity at the AVC. We conclude that early embryonic ethanol exposure alters Bmp, Notch and other signaling activities during AVC differentiation leading to faulty valve morphogenesis and valve defects persist in juvenile fish.
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Li X, Gao A, Wang Y, Chen M, Peng J, Yan H, Zhao X, Feng X, Chen D. Alcohol exposure leads to unrecoverable cardiovascular defects along with edema and motor function changes in developing zebrafish larvae. Biol Open 2016; 5:1128-33. [PMID: 27422904 PMCID: PMC5004616 DOI: 10.1242/bio.019497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause a series of developmental disorders in the fetus called FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome). In the present study we exposed zebrafish embryos to 1% and 2% alcohol and observed the morphology of heart and blood vessels during and after exposure to investigate motor function alterations, and damage and recovery to the cardiovascular system. The results showed that alcohol exposure could induce heart deformation, slower heart rate, and incomplete blood vessels and pericardium. After stopping exposure, larvae exposed to 1% alcohol could recover only in heart morphology, but larvae in 2% alcohol could not recover either morphology or function of cardiovascular system. The edema-like characteristics in the 2% alcohol group became more conspicuous afterwards, with destruction in the dorsal aorta, coarctation in segmental arteries and a decrease in motor function, implying more serious unrecoverable cardiovascular defects in the 2% group. The damaged blood vessels in the 2% alcohol group resulted in an alteration in permeability and a decrease of blood volume, which were the causes of edema in pathology. These findings contribute towards a better understanding of ethanol-induced cardiovascular abnormalities and co-syndrome in patients with FAS, and warns against excessive maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Aiai Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Man Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huaying Yan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- The Institute of Robotics and Automatic Information Systems, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xizeng Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Dongyan Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Sarmah S, Chism GW, Vaughan MA, Muralidharan P, Marrs JA, Marrs KA. Using Zebrafish to Implement a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience to Study Teratogenesis in Two Biology Laboratory Courses. Zebrafish 2016; 13:293-304. [PMID: 26829498 PMCID: PMC5911693 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2015.1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) spanning three semesters was introduced into freshman and sophomore biology classes, with the hypothesis that participation in a CURE affects skills in research, communication, and collaboration, which may help students persist in science. Student research projects were centered on the hypothesis that nicotine and caffeine exposure during early development affects gastrulation and heart development in zebrafish. First, freshmen generated original data showing distinct effects of embryonic nicotine and caffeine exposure on zebrafish heart development and function. Next, Cell Biology laboratory students continued the CURE studies and identified novel teratogenic effects of nicotine and caffeine during gastrulation. Finally, new freshmen continued the CURE research, examining additional toxicant effects on development. Students designed new protocols, made measurements, presented results, and generated high-quality preliminary data that were studied in successive semesters. By implementing this project, the CURE extended faculty research and provided a scalable model to address national goals to involve more undergraduates in authentic scientific research. In addition, student survey results support the hypothesis that CUREs provide significant gains in student ability to (1) design experiments, (2) analyze data, and (3) make scientific presentations, translating into high student satisfaction and enhanced learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnalee Sarmah
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis , Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Grady W Chism
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis , Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Martin A Vaughan
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis , Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Pooja Muralidharan
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis , Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jim A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis , Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Kathleen A Marrs
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis , Indianapolis, Indiana
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Linask KK, Han M. Acute alcohol exposure during mouse gastrulation alters lipid metabolism in placental and heart development: Folate prevention. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 106:749-60. [PMID: 27296863 PMCID: PMC5094567 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Embryonic acute exposure to ethanol (EtOH), lithium, and homocysteine (HCy) induces cardiac defects at the time of exposure; folic acid (FA) supplementation protects normal cardiogenesis (Han et al., 2009, 2012; Serrano et al., 2010). Our hypothesis is that EtOH exposure and FA protection relate to lipid and FA metabolism during mouse cardiogenesis and placentation. Methods On the morning of conception, pregnant C57BL/6J mice were placed on either of two FA‐containing diets: a 3.3 mg health maintenance diet or a high FA diet of 10.5 mg/kg. Mice were injected a binge level of EtOH, HCy, or saline on embryonic day (E) 6.75, targeting gastrulation. On E15.5, cardiac and umbilical blood flow were examined by ultrasound. Embryonic cardiac tissues were processed for gene expression of lipid and FA metabolism; the placenta and heart tissues for neutral lipid droplets, or for medium chain acyl‐dehydrogenase (MCAD) protein. Results EtOH exposure altered lipid‐related gene expression on E7.5 in comparison to control or FA‐supplemented groups and remained altered on E15.5 similarly to changes with HCy, signifying FA deficiency. In comparison to control tissues, the lipid‐related acyl CoA dehydrogenase medium length chain gene and its protein MCAD were altered with EtOH exposure, as were neutral lipid droplet localization in the heart and placenta. Conclusion EtOH altered gene expression associated with lipid and folate metabolism, as well as neutral lipids, in the E15.5 abnormally functioning heart and placenta. In comparison to controls, the high FA diet protected the embryo and placenta from these effects allowing normal development. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:749–760, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kersti K Linask
- Department of Pediatrics, USF Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida.
| | - Mingda Han
- Department of Pediatrics, USF Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida
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Yang J, Shah S, Olson TM, Xu X. Modeling GATAD1-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Adult Zebrafish. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2016; 3. [PMID: 28955713 PMCID: PMC5611887 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd3010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models have played a critical role in validating human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) genes, particularly those that implicate novel mechanisms for heart failure. However, the disease phenotype may be delayed due to age-dependent penetrance. For this reason, we generated an adult zebrafish model, which is a simpler vertebrate model with higher throughput than rodents. Specifically, we studied the zebrafish homologue of GATAD1, a recently identified gene for adult-onset autosomal recessive DCM. We showed cardiac expression of gatad1 transcripts, by whole mount in situ hybridization in zebrafish embryos, and demonstrated nuclear and sarcomeric I-band subcellular localization of Gatad1 protein in cardiomyocytes, by injecting a Tol2 plasmid encoding fluorescently-tagged Gatad1. We next generated gatad1 knock-out fish lines by TALEN technology and a transgenic fish line that expresses the human DCM GATAD1-S102P mutation in cardiomyocytes. Under stress conditions, longitudinal studies uncovered heart failure (HF)-like phenotypes in stable KO mutants and a tendency toward HF phenotypes in transgenic lines. Based on these efforts of studying a gene-based inherited cardiomyopathy model, we discuss the strengths and bottlenecks of adult zebrafish as a new vertebrate model for assessing candidate cardiomyopathy genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchun Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (J.Y.); (S.S.)
| | - Sahrish Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (J.Y.); (S.S.)
| | - Timothy M. Olson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Xiaolei Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (J.Y.); (S.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-507-284-0685; Fax: +1-507-538-6418
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Ma Y, Zhang C, Gao XB, Luo HY, Chen Y, Li HH, Ma X, Lu CL. Folic acid protects against arsenic-mediated embryo toxicity by up-regulating the expression of Dvr1. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16093. [PMID: 26537450 PMCID: PMC4633590 DOI: 10.1038/srep16093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As a nutritional factor, folic acid can prevent cardiac and neural defects during embryo development. Our previous study showed that arsenic impairs embryo development by down-regulating Dvr1/GDF1 expression in zebrafish. Here, we investigated whether folic acid could protect against arsenic-mediated embryo toxicity. We found that folic acid supplementation increases hatching and survival rates, decreases malformation rate and ameliorates abnormal cardiac and neural development of zebrafish embryos exposed to arsenite. Both real-time PCR analysis and whole in-mount hybridization showed that folic acid significantly rescued the decrease in Dvr1 expression caused by arsenite. Subsequently, our data demonstrated that arsenite significantly decreased cell viability and GDF1 mRNA and protein levels in HEK293ET cells, while folic acid reversed these effects. Folic acid attenuated the increase in subcellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and oxidative adaptor p66Shc protein expression in parallel with the changes in GDF1 expression and cell viability. P66Shc knockdown significantly inhibited the production of ROS and the down-regulation of GDF1 induced by arsenite. Our data demonstrated that folic acid supplementation protected against arsenic-mediated embryo toxicity by up-regulating the expression of Dvr1/GDF1, and folic acid enhanced the expression of GDF1 by decreasing p66Shc expression and subcellular ROS levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ma
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Gao
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Yan Luo
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, TNLIST Bioinformatics Division &Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-hua Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Cai-Ling Lu
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
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Zhu Y, Romitti PA, Caspers Conway KM, Shen DH, Sun L, Browne ML, Botto LD, Lin AE, Druschel CM. Maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption and congenital heart defects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 103:617-29. [PMID: 26118863 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the leading cause of infant death from birth defects. Animal studies suggest in utero alcohol exposure is a teratogen for cardiogenesis; however, results from epidemiologic studies are mixed. METHODS Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study were used to estimate associations between CHDs and case (n = 7076) and control (n = 7972) mother reports of periconceptional (1 month before pregnancy through the first trimester) alcohol consumption with expected delivery dates during 1997 to 2007. CHDs were examined by category (conotruncal, septal, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, heterotaxy with CHD) and subtype (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot [TOF]). Alcohol measures examined were any consumption, maximum average drinks per month, binge drinking, and alcohol type. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Increased risks, albeit marginally statistically significant, were observed for TOF and each maternal alcohol measure examined and for right ventricular outflow tract obstruction and heterotaxy with CHD and consumption of distilled spirits. Significantly reduced risks were observed for several CHD categories (septal defects, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction) and some corresponding subtypes with different alcohol measures. Significant risks were not observed for the other CHDs examined. CONCLUSION Analysis of this large, well-defined study sample did not show statistically significant increased risks between measures of maternal alcohol consumption and most CHDs examined. These findings may reflect, in part, limitations with retrospective exposure assessment or unmeasured confounders. Additional studies with continued improvement in measurement of alcohol consumption are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Paul A Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Dereck H Shen
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Lixian Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Marilyn L Browne
- New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York.,School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York
| | - Lorenzo D Botto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Angela E Lin
- Genetics Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Charlotte M Druschel
- New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York.,School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York
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Alcohol-induced histone H3K9 hyperacetylation and cardiac hypertrophy are reversed by a histone acetylases inhibitor anacardic acid in developing murine hearts. Biochimie 2015; 113:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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