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Hajiasgharzadeh K, Naghipour B, Shahabi P, Dastmalchi N, Alipour MR. The role of microRNAs in nicotine signaling. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:433-450. [PMID: 37346805 PMCID: PMC10279964 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is a harmful habit that is widespread around the world. It is among the well-known lifestyle-related risk factors for many diseases. Nicotine, as its principal constituent, has various detrimental, and beneficial functions. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are present in nearly all body cells, are how nicotine works. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that nicotine causes abnormal microRNA expression (miRNAs). These short sequences of RNAs are known to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. A wide range of miRNAs are modulated by nicotine, and nicotine-induced miRNA changes could subsequently mediate nicotine's effect on gene expression regulation. We will focus on the reciprocal interaction between nAChRs and miRNAs and describe the essential targets of these dysregulated miRNAs after nicotine exposure and activation of nAChRs. It appears that crucial subcellular mechanisms implicated in nicotine's effects are miRNA-related pathways. It is crucial to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of nicotine as well as the dysregulation of miRNA following nAChR activation. The finding about epigenetic mechanisms of nicotine-induced effects may shed light on the establishment of new treatment strategies to prevent the harmful effects of nicotine and perhaps may augment the beneficial effects in diverse smoking-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bahman Naghipour
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Narges Dastmalchi
- Department of Biology, University College of Nabi Akram, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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2
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Mulorz J, Spin JM, Mulorz P, Wagenhäuser MU, Deng A, Mattern K, Rhee YH, Toyama K, Adam M, Schelzig H, Maegdefessel L, Tsao PS. E-cigarette exposure augments murine abdominal aortic aneurysm development: role of Chil1. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:867-878. [PMID: 36413508 PMCID: PMC10409905 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common cardiovascular disease with a strong correlation to smoking, although underlying mechanisms have been minimally explored. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have gained recent broad popularity and can deliver nicotine at comparable levels to tobacco cigarettes, but effects on AAA development are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated the impact of daily e-cig vaping with nicotine on AAA using two complementary murine models and found that exposure enhanced aneurysm development in both models and genders. E-cigs induced changes in key mediators of AAA development including cytokine chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1/Chil1) and its targeting microRNA-24 (miR-24). We show that nicotine triggers inflammatory signalling and reactive oxygen species while modulating miR-24 and CHI3L1/Chil1 in vitro and that Chil1 is crucial to e-cig-augmented aneurysm formation using a knockout model. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion our work shows increased aneurysm formation along with augmented vascular inflammation in response to e-cig exposure with nicotine. Further, we identify Chil1 as a key mediator in this context. Our data raise concerns regarding the potentially harmful long-term effects of e-cig nicotine vaping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joscha Mulorz
- Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joshua M Spin
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Pireyatharsheny Mulorz
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Markus Udo Wagenhäuser
- Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alicia Deng
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karin Mattern
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yae H Rhee
- Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kensuke Toyama
- Department of Pharmacology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Matti Adam
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hubert Schelzig
- Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany (partner site: Munich)
| | - Philip S Tsao
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 300 Pasteur Drive, Standford, CA 94305, USA
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RNA and Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on microRNAs. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:2638130. [PMID: 33312335 PMCID: PMC7721489 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2638130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the major pathomechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is closely associated with other key events in neurodegeneration such as mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, metal dysregulation, and protein misfolding. Oxidized RNAs are identified in brains of AD patients at the prodromal stage. Indeed, oxidized mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA lead to retarded or aberrant protein synthesis. OS interferes with not only these translational machineries but also regulatory mechanisms of noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs can be oxidized, which causes misrecognizing target mRNAs. Moreover, OS affects the expression of multiple miRNAs, and conversely, miRNAs regulate many genes involved in the OS response. Intriguingly, several miRNAs embedded in upstream regulators or downstream targets of OS are involved also in neurodegenerative pathways in AD. Specifically, seven upregulated miRNAs (miR-125b, miR-146a, miR-200c, miR-26b, miR-30e, miR-34a, miR-34c) and three downregulated miRNAs (miR-107, miR-210, miR-485), all of which are associated with OS, are found in vulnerable brain regions of AD at the prodromal stage. Growing evidence suggests that altered miRNAs may serve as targets for developing diagnostic or therapeutic tools for early-stage AD. Focusing on a neuroprotective transcriptional repressor, REST, and the concept of hormesis that are relevant to the OS response may provide clues to help us understand the role of the miRNA system in cellular and organismal adaptive mechanisms to OS.
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Chuang TD, Ansari A, Yu C, Sakurai R, Harb A, Liu J, Khorram O, Rehan VK. Mechanism underlying increased cardiac extracellular matrix deposition in perinatal nicotine-exposed offspring. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H651-H660. [PMID: 32795172 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00021.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although increased predisposition to cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction has been demonstrated in the perinatally nicotine-exposed heart, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. With the use of a well-established rat model and cultured primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts, the effect of perinatal nicotine exposure on offspring heart extracellular matrix deposition and the likely underlying mechanisms were investigated. Perinatal nicotine exposure resulted in increased collagen type I (COL1A1) and III (COL3A1) deposition along with a decrease in miR-29 family and an increase in long noncoding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) levels in offspring heart. Nicotine treatment of isolated primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts suggested that these effects were mediated via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors including α7 and the induced collagens accumulation was reversed by a gain-of function of miR-29 family. Knockdown of MIAT resulted in increased miR-29 family and decreased COL1A1 and COL3A1 levels, suggesting nicotine-mediated MIAT induction as the underlying mechanism for nicotine-induced collagen deposition. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation studies showed an intense physical interaction between MIAT, miR-29 family, and argonaute 2, corroborating the mechanistic link between perinatal nicotine exposure and increased extracellular matrix deposition. Overall, perinatal nicotine exposure resulted in lower miR-29 family levels in offspring heart, while it elevated cardiac MIAT and collagen type I and III levels. These findings provide mechanistic basis for cardiac dysfunction in perinatal nicotine-exposed offspring and offer multiple novel potential therapeutic targets.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using an established rat model and cultured primary neonatal cardiac fibroblasts, we show that nicotine mediated MIAT induction as the underlying mechanism for the excessive cardiac collagen deposition. These observations provide mechanistic basis for the increased predisposition to cardiac dysfunction following perinatal cigarette/nicotine exposure and offer novel potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Der Chuang
- Department of and Obstetrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
| | - Aamir Ansari
- Department of Pediatrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
| | - Celia Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
| | - Reiko Sakurai
- Department of Pediatrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
| | - Amir Harb
- Department of Pediatrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
| | - Omid Khorram
- Department of and Obstetrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
| | - Virender K Rehan
- Department of Pediatrics, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, California
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Ebrahimpour A, Shrestha S, Bonnen MD, Eissa NT, Raghu G, Ghebre YT. Nicotine Modulates Growth Factors and MicroRNA to Promote Inflammatory and Fibrotic Processes. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 368:169-178. [PMID: 30446578 PMCID: PMC6323623 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.252650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease that destroys the structure and function of the lungs. Risk factors include advanced age and genetic predisposition. However, tobacco use is the chief modifiable risk factor. The prevalence of tobacco use in IPF reaches up to 80%. Although tobacco smoke contains over 5000 chemicals, nicotine is a major component. Nicotine is a bioactive molecule that acts upon nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed on neuronal and non-neuronal cells including endothelial cells. Accordingly, it has a pleiotropic effect on cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The angiogenic effect is partly mediated by stimulation of growth factors including fibroblast, platelet-derived, and vascular endothelial growth factors. Nintedanib, a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for IPF, works by inhibiting receptors for these growth factors, suggesting a pathobiologic role of the growth factors in IPF and a potential mechanism by which tobacco use may exacerbate the disease process; additionally, nicotine downregulates anti-inflammatory microRNAs (miRs) in lung cells. Here, we profiled the expression of miRs in lung tissues explanted from a lung injury model and examined the effect of nicotine on one of the identified miRs (miR-24) and its downstream targets. Our data show that miR-24 is downregulated during lung injury and is suppressed by nicotine. We also found that nicotine upregulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines targeted by miR-24. Finally, nicotine stimulated growth factors, fibroblast proliferation, collagen release, and expression of myofibroblast markers. Taken together, nicotine, alone or as a component of tobacco smoke, may accelerate the disease process in IPF through stimulation of growth factors and downregulation of anti-inflammatory miRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Ebrahimpour
- Departments of Radiation Oncology (A.E., S.S., M.D.B., Y.T.G.) and Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (N.T.E., Y.T.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (G.R.)
| | - Samana Shrestha
- Departments of Radiation Oncology (A.E., S.S., M.D.B., Y.T.G.) and Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (N.T.E., Y.T.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (G.R.)
| | - Mark D Bonnen
- Departments of Radiation Oncology (A.E., S.S., M.D.B., Y.T.G.) and Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (N.T.E., Y.T.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (G.R.)
| | - N Tony Eissa
- Departments of Radiation Oncology (A.E., S.S., M.D.B., Y.T.G.) and Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (N.T.E., Y.T.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (G.R.)
| | - Ganesh Raghu
- Departments of Radiation Oncology (A.E., S.S., M.D.B., Y.T.G.) and Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (N.T.E., Y.T.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (G.R.)
| | - Yohannes T Ghebre
- Departments of Radiation Oncology (A.E., S.S., M.D.B., Y.T.G.) and Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (N.T.E., Y.T.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (G.R.)
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Liu B, Hu X, Li Y, Ke J, Dasgupta C, Huang X, Walayat A, Zhang L, Xiao D. Epigenetic down-regulation of BK Ca channel by miR-181a contributes to the fetal and neonatal nicotine-mediated exaggerated coronary vascular tone in adult life. Int J Cardiol 2019; 281:82-89. [PMID: 30738609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.01.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal origin of adult cardiovascular disease is one of the most pressing public concerns and economic problem in modern life. Maternal cigarette smoking/nicotine abuse increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in offspring. However, the underlying mechanisms and theranostics remain unclear. We hypothesized that fetal and neonatal nicotine exposure enhances microRNA-181a (miR-181a) which targets large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels, resulting in increased coronary vascular tone in adult offspring. METHODS Nicotine or saline was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps from gestational day 4 until postnatal day 10. Experiments were conducted in adult (~6 month old) male offspring. RESULTS Nicotine enhanced pressure-induced coronary vascular tone, which was abrogated by BKCa channel blocker. Nicotine selectively attenuated coronary BKCa β1 but not α subunit expression. Functionally, nicotine suppressed BKCa current density and inhibited BKCa activator NS1619-induced coronary relaxations. Furthermore, activation of BKCa increased coronary flow and improved heart ischemia/reperfusion-induced infarction. Nicotine selectively enhanced miR-181a expression. MiR-181a mimic inhibited BKCa β1 expression/channel current and decreased NS1619-induced coronary relaxation. Antioxidant eliminated the difference of BKCa current density between the saline and nicotine-treated groups and partially restored NS1619-induced relaxation in nicotine group. MiR-181a antisense decreased vascular tone and eliminated the differences between nicotine exposed and control groups. CONCLUSION Fetal and neonatal nicotine exposure-mediated miR-181a overexpression plays an important role in nicotine-enhanced coronary vascular tone via epigenetic down-regulation of BKca channel mechanism, which provides a potentially novel therapeutic molecular target of miR-181a/BKca channels for the treatment of coronary heart ischemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailin Liu
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Xiangqun Hu
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Yong Li
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Jun Ke
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Chiranjib Dasgupta
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Xiaohui Huang
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Walayat
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Daliao Xiao
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
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Weinhouse C, Truong L, Meyer JN, Allard P. Caenorhabditis elegans as an emerging model system in environmental epigenetics. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2018; 59:560-575. [PMID: 30091255 PMCID: PMC6113102 DOI: 10.1002/em.22203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The roundworm Caenorhabitis elegans has been an established model organism for the study of genetics and developmental biology, including studies of transcriptional regulation, since the 1970s. This model organism has continued to be used as a classical model system as the field of transcriptional regulation has expanded to include scientific advances in epigenetics and chromatin biology. In the last several decades, C. elegans has emerged as a powerful model for environmental toxicology, particularly for the study of chemical genotoxicity. Here, we outline the utility and applicability of C. elegans as a powerful model organism for mechanistic studies of environmental influences on the epigenome. Our goal in this article is to inform the field of environmental epigenetics of the strengths and limitations of the well-established C. elegans model organism as an emerging model for medium-throughput, in vivo exploration of the role of exogenous chemical stimuli in transcriptional regulation, developmental epigenetic reprogramming, and epigenetic memory and inheritance. As the field of environmental epigenetics matures, and research begins to map mechanisms underlying observed associations, new toolkits and model systems, particularly manipulable, scalable in vivo systems that accurately model human transcriptional regulatory circuits, will provide an essential experimental bridge between in vitro biochemical experiments and mammalian model systems. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:560-575, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caren Weinhouse
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Lisa Truong
- UCLA Human Genetics and Genomic Analysis Training Program, University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, California
| | - Joel N. Meyer
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Patrick Allard
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Rauthan M, Gong J, Liu J, Li Z, Wescott SA, Liu J, Xu XZS. MicroRNA Regulation of nAChR Expression and Nicotine-Dependent Behavior in C. elegans. Cell Rep 2018; 21:1434-1441. [PMID: 29117550 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposure to nicotine upregulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and such upregulation is critical for the development of nicotine dependence in humans and animal models. However, how nicotine upregulates nAChRs is not well understood. Here, we identify a key role for microRNA in regulating nicotine-dependent behavior by modulating nAChR expression in C. elegans. We show that the nAChR gene acr-19 and alg-1, a key Argonaute-family member in the microRNA machinery, are specifically required for nicotine withdrawal response following chronic nicotine treatment. Chronic exposure to nicotine downregulates alg-1, leading to upregulation of acr-19. This effect is mediated by the microRNA miR-238 that recognizes the 3' UTR of acr-19 transcript. Our results unveil a previously unrecognized role for microRNA in nicotine signaling, providing insights into how chronic nicotine administration leads to upregulation of nAChR and ultimately nicotine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Rauthan
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jianke Gong
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; College of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Jinzhi Liu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; College of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Zhaoyu Li
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Seth A Wescott
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - X Z Shawn Xu
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Shi B, Gao H, Zhang T, Cui Q. Analysis of plasma microRNA expression profiles revealed different cancer susceptibility in healthy young adult smokers and middle-aged smokers. Oncotarget 2017; 7:21676-85. [PMID: 26943588 PMCID: PMC5008314 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is a world-wide habit and an important risk factor for cancer. It was known that cigarette smoking can change the expression of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in healthy middle-aged adults. However, it remains unclear whether cigarette smoking can change the levels of circulating miRNAs in young healthy smokers and whether there are differences in cancer susceptibility for the two cases. In this study, the miRNA expression profiles of 28 smokers and 12 non-smokers were determined by Agilent human MicroRNA array. We further performed bioinformatics analysis for the differentially expressed miRNAs. The result showed that 35 miRNAs were differentially expressed. Among them, 24 miRNAs were up-regulated and 11 miRNAs were down-regulated in smokers. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the deregulated miRNAs are related to immune system and hormones regulation. Strikingly, the up-regulated miRNAs are mostly associated with hematologic cancers, such as lymphoma, leukemia. As a comparison, the up-regulated plasma miRNAs in middle-aged smokers are mostly associated with solid cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer, suggesting that smoking could have different influences on young adults and middle-aged adults. In a conclusion, we identified the circulating miRNAs deregulated by cigarette smoking and revealed that the age-dependent deregulated miRNAs tend to be mainly involved in different types of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Military General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmin Gao
- Department of Respiratory, Beijing Military General Hospital No.263 Clinic, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Military General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Cui
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Centre for Noncoding RNA Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing, China
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MicroRNA expression profiles during cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) fiber early development. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44454. [PMID: 28327647 PMCID: PMC5361117 DOI: 10.1038/srep44454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) during cotton fiber development remains unclear. Here, a total of 54 miRNAs belonging to 39 families were selected to characterize miRNA regulatory mechanism in eight different fiber development stages in upland cotton cv BM-1. Among 54 miRNAs, 18 miRNAs were involved in cotton fiber initiation and eight miRNAs were related to fiber elongation and secondary wall biosynthesis. Additionally, 3,576 protein-coding genes were candidate target genes of these miRNAs, which are potentially involved in cotton fiber development. We also investigated the regulatory network of miRNAs and corresponding targets in fiber initiation and elongation, and secondary wall formation. Our Gene Ontology-based term classification and KEGG-based pathway enrichment analyses showed that the miRNA targets covered 220 biological processes, 67 molecular functions, 45 cellular components, and 10 KEGG pathways. Three of ten KEGG pathways were involved in lignan synthesis, cell elongation, and fatty acid biosynthesis, all of which have important roles in fiber development. Overall, our study shows the potential regulatory roles of miRNAs in cotton fiber development and the importance of miRNAs in regulating different cell types. This is helpful to design miRNA-based biotechnology for improving fiber quality and yield.
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Wang L, Ke J, Li Y, Ma Q, Dasgupta C, Huang X, Zhang L, Xiao D. Inhibition of miRNA-210 reverses nicotine-induced brain hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rats. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13:76-84. [PMID: 28123348 PMCID: PMC5264263 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.17278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal tobacco use in pregnancy increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurobehavioral deficits in postnatal life. The present study tested the hypothesis that perinatal nicotine exposure exacerbated brain vulnerability to hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury in neonatal rats through up-regulation of miR-210 expression in the developing brain. Nicotine was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps. Experiments of HI brain injury were performed in 10-day-old pups. Perinatal nicotine treatment significantly decreased neonatal body and brain weights, but increased the brain to body weight ratio. Perinatal nicotine exposure caused a significant increase in HI brain infarct size in the neonates. In addition, nicotine enhanced miR-210 expression and significantly attenuated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin-related kinase isoform B (TrkB) protein abundance in the brain. Of importance, intracerebroventricular administration of a miR-210 inhibitor (miR-210-LNA) significantly decreased HI-induced brain infarct size and reversed the nicotine-increased vulnerability to brain HI injury in the neonate. Furthermore, miR-210-LNA treatment also reversed nicotine-mediated down-regulation of BDNF and TrkB protein expression in the neonatal brains. These findings provide novel evidence that the increased miR-210 plays a causal role in perinatal nicotine-induced developmental programming of ischemic sensitive phenotype in the brain. It represents a potential novel therapeutic approach for treatment of brain hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the neonate-induced by fetal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA.; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Ke
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA.; Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Li
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Qinyi Ma
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Chiranjib Dasgupta
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Xiaohui Huang
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - DaLiao Xiao
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
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Croston TL, Nayak AP, Lemons AR, Goldsmith WT, Gu JK, Germolec DR, Beezhold DH, Green BJ. Influence of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia viability on murine pulmonary microRNA and mRNA expression following subchronic inhalation exposure. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 46:1315-27. [PMID: 27473664 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Personal exposure to fungal bioaerosols derived from contaminated building materials or agricultural commodities may induce or exacerbate a variety of adverse health effects. The genomic mechanisms that underlie pulmonary immune responses to fungal bioaerosols have remained unclear. OBJECTIVE The impact of fungal viability on the pulmonary microRNA and messenger RNA profiles that regulate murine immune responses was evaluated following subchronic inhalation exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. METHODS Three groups of naïve B6C3F1/N mice were exposed via nose-only inhalation to A. fumigatus viable conidia, heat-inactivated conidia (HIC), or HEPA-filtered air twice a week for 13 weeks. Total RNA was isolated from whole lung 24 and 48 h postfinal exposure and was further processed for gene expression and microRNA array analysis. The molecular network pathways between viable and HIC groups were evaluated. RESULTS Comparison of data sets revealed increased Il4, Il13 and Il33 expression in mice exposed to viable vs. HIC. Of 415 microRNAs detected, approximately 50% were altered in mice exposed to viable vs. HIC 48 h postexposure. Significantly down-regulated (P ≤ 0.05) miR-29a-3p was predicted to regulate TGF-β3 and Clec7a, genes involved in innate responses to viable A. fumigatus. Also significantly down-regulated (P ≤ 0.05), miR-23b-3p regulates genes involved in pulmonary IL-13 and IL-33 responses and SMAD2, downstream of TGF-β signalling. Using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, a novel interaction was identified between viable conidia and SMAD2/3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Examination of the pulmonary genetic profiles revealed differentially expressed genes and microRNAs following subchronic inhalation exposure to A. fumigatus. MicroRNAs regulating genes involved in the pulmonary immune responses were those with the greatest fold change. Specifically, germinating A. fumigatus conidia were associated with Clec7a and were predicted to interact with Il13 and Il33. Furthermore, altered microRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers to evaluate fungal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Croston
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - A P Nayak
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - A R Lemons
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - W T Goldsmith
- Engineering and Control Technology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - J K Gu
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - D R Germolec
- Toxicology Branch, DNTP/NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - D H Beezhold
- Office of the Director, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - B J Green
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Doh JH, Moore AB, Çelen İ, Moore MT, Sabanayagam CR. ChIP and Chips: Introducing the WormPharm for correlative studies employing pharmacology and genome-wide analyses in C. elegans. J Biol Methods 2016; 3:e44. [PMID: 31453211 PMCID: PMC6706132 DOI: 10.14440/jbm.2016.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the WormPharm, an automated microfluidic platform that utilizes an axenic medium to culture C. elegans. The WormPharm is capable of sustaining C. elegans for extended periods, while recording worm development and growth with high temporal resolution ranging from seconds to minutes over several days to months. We demonstrate the utility of the device to monitor C. elegans growth in the presence of varying doses of nicotine and alcohol. Furthermore, we show that C. elegans cultured in the WormPharm are amendable for high-throughput genomic assays, i.e. chromatin-immunoprecipitation followed by next generation sequencing, and confirm that nematodes grown in monoxenic and axenic cultures exhibit genetic modifications that correlate with observed phenotypes. The WormPharm is a powerful tool for analyzing the effects of chemical, nutritional and environmental variations on organism level responses in conjunction with genome-wide changes in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung H Doh
- University of Delaware, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Andrew B Moore
- University of Delaware, Department of Biological Sciences, Newark, DE, USA
| | - İrem Çelen
- University of Delaware, Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Michael T Moore
- University of Delaware, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, Newark, DE, USA
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14
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Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the plant parasitic root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita using deep sequencing. Funct Integr Genomics 2016; 16:127-42. [PMID: 26743520 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-015-0472-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is among the most damaging plant-parasitic pests of several crops including cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and tomato (Lycopersicon escultentum). Recently, a genome has become available for M. incognita, which greatly facilitates investigation of the interactions between M. incognita and its plant hosts at the molecular level and enables formation of hypotheses concerning development at the cellular level. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules that serve as endogenous gene regulators. They regulate many biological processes including reproduction, the sequencing of morphological development, and potentially of parasitism as well. Certain miRNAs regulate fundamental metabolism pathways and stress responses in M. incognita. Since a list of miRNAs has not been generated for M. incognita, we employed a bioinformatics tool called mirDeepFinder to identify miRNAs from the small RNA database of M. incognita (GSM611102) that was generated from deep sequencing. A total of 254 conserved miRNAs belonging to 161 miRNA families were identified, as were 35 novel miRNAs belonging to 31 families. The 16 most commonly found miRNAs in order of abundance were min-miR-100a, min-miR-124, min-miR-71a, min-miR-1, min-miR-228, min-miR-92, min-miR-72, min-miR-49b, min-miR-58, min-miR-252, min-miR-lin-4, min-miR-87, min-miR-2a, min-miR-34a, min-miR-50a, and min-miR-279a. The length of the pre-miRNAs varied greatly from 50 to 197 nt, with an average of 88 ± 39 nt. The average minimal folding free energy (MFE) and MFE index (MFEI) of the identified miRNAs were -30.3 Kcal/mol and 0.92, respectively, indicating that these miRNAs can readily fold into a typical hairpin secondary structure.
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Panitz D, Swamy H, Nehrke K. A C. elegans model of electronic cigarette use: Physiological effects of e-liquids in nematodes. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2015; 16:32. [PMID: 26637209 PMCID: PMC4669627 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-015-0030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have recently become very popular particularly among the younger generation. These nicotine delivery devices are viewed as a preferable alternative to more conventional forms of tobacco use and are thought to reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the third leading cause of death worldwide. However, there is very little data available on the consequences of e-cig use, though recently nicotine-independent inflammatory responses have been reported. The genetic model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is a soil nematode whose cell biology is remarkably well conserved with mammals. Here, we used C. elegans to test the physiologic effects of e-liquids used to refill e-cigs. METHODS Larval worms were exposed from hatching onwards to low concentrations (0.2 %) of e-liquids, distilled e-liquid vapor, propylene glycol (PG), or M9 buffer as a negative control. E-liquids tested included grape, menthol, and V2 Red "classic tobacco" flavors. Nicotine (48 ppm) was tested as a second level variable. Stereotypical physiological outputs were then measured, including developmental rate, fecundity, locomotion, lifespan, and the induction of canonical stress signaling pathways. RESULTS A small but significant impairment of developmental rate and brood size was observed for PG and V2 Red treated worms compared to the negative control. Worms treated with e-liquids containing nicotine fared significantly worse than those that did not, but vaporization did not increase toxicity. Finally, both PG and V2 Red e-liquid induced an oxidative stress response in the absence of nicotine. CONCLUSIONS PG exposure is sufficient to induce an oxidative stress response in nematodes, while nicotine is not. Both PG and nicotine independently influence physiologic measures of health and viability. The e-liquid flavorings did not significantly impact outcomes and there was no evidence for vaporization altering toxicity. These data suggest that the major physiologically significant component of e-liquids besides nicotine is likely the common solvent PG. We conclude that C. elegans are an appropriate model to rapidly assess parameters that may contribute to the basic cell biological effects of e-cigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Panitz
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, Karmiel, Israel.
- Department of Medicine and Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Harsha Swamy
- Department Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Keith Nehrke
- Department of Medicine and Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
- Department Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, Box 675, NY, 14642, USA.
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Taki FA, Pan X, Lee MH, Zhang B. Nicotine exposure and transgenerational impact: a prospective study on small regulatory microRNAs. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7513. [PMID: 25515333 PMCID: PMC4894410 DOI: 10.1038/srep07513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Early developmental stages are highly sensitive to stress and it has been reported that pre-conditioning with tobacco smoking during adolescence predisposes those youngsters to become smokers as adults. However, the molecular mechanisms of nicotine-induced transgenerational consequences are unknown. In this study, we genome-widely investigated the impact of nicotine exposure on small regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) and its implication on health disorders at a transgenerational aspect. Our results demonstrate that nicotine exposure, even at the low dose, affected the global expression profiles of miRNAs not only in the treated worms (F0 parent generation) but also in two subsequent generations (F1 and F2, children and grandchildren). Some miRNAs were commonly affected by nicotine across two or more generations while others were specific to one. The general miRNA patterns followed a “two-hit” model as a function of nicotine exposure and abstinence. Target prediction and pathway enrichment analyses showed daf-4, daf-1, fos-1, cmk-1, and unc-30 to be potential effectors of nicotine addiction. These genes are involved in physiological states and phenotypes that paralleled previously published nicotine induced behavior. Our study offered new insights and further awareness on the transgenerational effects of nicotine exposed during the vulnerable post-embryonic stages, and identified new biomarkers for nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten A Taki
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Xiaoping Pan
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Myon-Hee Lee
- Department of Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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Kobet RA, Pan X, Zhang B, Pak SC, Asch AS, Lee MH. Caenorhabditis elegans: A Model System for Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery and Therapeutic Target Identification. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2014; 22:371-83. [PMID: 25414766 PMCID: PMC4201220 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2014.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) offers a unique opportunity for biological and basic medical researches due to its genetic tractability and well-defined developmental lineage. It also provides an exceptional model for genetic, molecular, and cellular analysis of human disease-related genes. Recently, C. elegans has been used as an ideal model for the identification and functional analysis of drugs (or small-molecules) in vivo. In this review, we describe conserved oncogenic signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, and Ras) and their potential roles in the development of cancer stem cells. During C. elegans germline development, these signaling pathways regulate multiple cellular processes such as germline stem cell niche specification, germline stem cell maintenance, and germ cell fate specification. Therefore, the aberrant regulations of these signaling pathways can cause either loss of germline stem cells or overproliferation of a specific cell type, resulting in sterility. This sterility phenotype allows us to identify drugs that can modulate the oncogenic signaling pathways directly or indirectly through a high-throughput screening. Current in vivo or in vitro screening methods are largely focused on the specific core signaling components. However, this phenotype-based screening will identify drugs that possibly target upstream or downstream of core signaling pathways as well as exclude toxic effects. Although phenotype-based drug screening is ideal, the identification of drug targets is a major challenge. We here introduce a new technique, called Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS). This innovative method is able to identify the target of the identified drug. Importantly, signaling pathways and their regulators in C. elegans are highly conserved in most vertebrates, including humans. Therefore, C. elegans will provide a great opportunity to identify therapeutic drugs and their targets, as well as to understand mechanisms underlying the formation of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Kobet
- Department of Medicine, Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834
| | - Xiaoping Pan
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858
| | - Stephen C Pak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
| | - Adam S Asch
- Department of Medicine, Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834 ; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 ; Current address: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Myon-Hee Lee
- Department of Medicine, Department of Oncology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834 ; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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18
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Epigenetic signaling in psychiatric disorders. J Mol Biol 2014; 426:3389-412. [PMID: 24709417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are complex multifactorial illnesses involving chronic alterations in neural circuit structure and function. While genetic factors are important in the etiology of disorders such as depression and addiction, relatively high rates of discordance among identical twins clearly indicate the importance of additional mechanisms. Environmental factors such as stress or prior drug exposure are known to play a role in the onset of these illnesses. Such exposure to environmental insults induces stable changes in gene expression, neural circuit function, and ultimately behavior, and these maladaptations appear distinct between developmental and adult exposures. Increasing evidence indicates that these sustained abnormalities are maintained by epigenetic modifications in specific brain regions. Indeed, transcriptional dysregulation and associated aberrant epigenetic regulation is a unifying theme in psychiatric disorders. Aspects of depression and addiction can be modeled in animals by inducing disease-like states through environmental manipulations (e.g., chronic stress, drug administration). Understanding how environmental factors recruit the epigenetic machinery in animal models reveals new insight into disease mechanisms in humans.
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