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Baglini E, Poggetti V, Cavallini C, Petroni D, Forini F, Nicolini G, Barresi E, Salerno S, Costa B, Iozzo P, Neglia D, Menichetti L, Taliani S, Da Settimo F. Targeting the Translocator Protein (18 kDa) in Cardiac Diseases: State of the Art and Future Opportunities. J Med Chem 2024; 67:17-37. [PMID: 38113353 PMCID: PMC10911791 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria dysfunctions are typical hallmarks of cardiac disorders (CDs). The multiple tasks of this energy-producing organelle are well documented, but its pathophysiologic involvement in several manifestations of heart diseases, such as altered electromechanical coupling, excitability, and arrhythmias, is still under investigation. The human 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a protein located on the outer mitochondrial membrane whose expression is altered in different pathological conditions, including CDs, making it an attractive therapeutic and diagnostic target. Currently, only a few TSPO ligands are employed in CDs and cardiac imaging. In this Perspective, we report an overview of the emerging role of TSPO at the heart level, focusing on the recent literature concerning the development of TSPO ligands used for fighting and imaging heart-related disease conditions. Accordingly, targeting TSPO might represent a successful strategy to achieve novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to unravel the fundamental mechanisms and to provide solutions to still unanswered questions in CDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Baglini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Valeria Poggetti
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Chiara Cavallini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Debora Petroni
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesca Forini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Nicolini
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Barresi
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Silvia Salerno
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Barbara Costa
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Patricia Iozzo
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Danilo Neglia
- Fondazione
CNR/Regione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Cardiovascular and Imaging
Departments, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council of Italy, CNR Research Area, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Sabrina Taliani
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Federico Da Settimo
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
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Wang R, Guo S, Kang B, Yang L. Toxicogenomic signatures associated with methylmercury induced developmental toxicity in the zebrafish embryos. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137380. [PMID: 36435318 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxicant with adverse effects on embryogenesis from fish to man. The developmental outcomes of MeHg are well understood, but molecular understanding of toxicity is rather limited. We performed here a genome-wide transcriptional analyses of 6, 30, and 50 μg/L MeHg exposed zebrafish embryos from 4 to 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) using RNA-sequencing and microarray, and conducted a systematical comparison of MeHg-induced transcriptomic responses reported in this and our previous studies. We observed MeHg significantly to disrupt expression of 1050, 1931, and 2996 genes, respectively including gene ontologies in terms of visual and sensory perception, phototransduction, ferroptosis, and GABAergic synapse. Significantly altered genes were associated with ontology categorized into metabolism, such as fatty acid, amino acid, and glutathione metabolism across all experiments. Expression of genes involved in Wnt, Shh, and Notch signaling pathways previously demonstrated to be crucial for development was changed at varying levels dependent on exposure concentrations and durations. Our findings show MeHg significantly to affect expression of genes associated with tissue and/or organs developmental processing including eye, lateral line, fins, and brain, especially in embryos exposed to 6 μg/L, which did not cause obviously toxic effects on zebrafish embryos. We obtain 21 genes being significantly altered by MeHg in a concentration and stage independent manner, and might be served as signatures for developmental toxicity and/or teratogenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Bolun Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China.
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Everson JL, Eberhart JK. Gene-alcohol interactions in birth defects. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:77-113. [PMID: 36707215 PMCID: PMC9897481 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most human birth defects are thought to result from complex interactions between combinations of genetic and environmental factors. This is true even for conditions that, at face value, may appear simple and straightforward, like fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD describe the full range of structural and neurological disruptions that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. While FASD require alcohol exposure, evidence from human and animal model studies demonstrate that additional genetic and/or environmental factors can influence the embryo's susceptibility to alcohol. Only a limited number of alcohol interactions in birth defects have been identified, with many sensitizing genetic and environmental factors likely yet to be identified. Because of this, while unsatisfying, there is no definitively "safe" dose of alcohol for all pregnancies. Determining these other factors, as well as mechanistically characterizing known interactions, is critical for better understanding and preventing FASD and requires combined scrutiny of human and model organism studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L Everson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
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Kuwata C, Maejima T, Hakamata S, Yahagi S, Matsuoka T, Tsuchiya Y. Disruption of Fetal Eye Development Caused by Insulin-induced Maternal Hypoglycemia in Rats. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 112:68-76. [PMID: 35738499 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We previously revealed that insulin-induced severe and long-lasting maternal hypoglycemia in rats caused anophthalmia and microphthalmia in fetuses; however, it remained unclear whether hypoglycemia-induced eye anomalies were developmental retardation or disruption, and when and how they developed. Hence, we induced hypoglycemia in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting insulin from Days 6 to 11 of pregnancy and performed periodical histopathological examination of fetal eyes from embryonic days (E)10 to 20. On E10, optic vesicle had developed normally both in the control and insulin-treated group; however, on E11, optic cup (OC) had developed in the control group but not in the insulin-treated group. On E12, neural retina (NR), retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), lens, and presumptive cornea had been observed in the control group. In contrast, lens pit and OC with remaining space between RPE and NR had developed in the insulin-treated group. From E13 to E15, developmental disruption characterized by defects, hypoplasia, and degeneration in the retina, lens, and cornea was observed in the insulin-treated group, resulting in anophthalmia or microphthalmia on E20. Moreover, the expression of MITF and chx10, which are essential for early eye development by expressing in the presumptive retina and lens and regulating each other's expression level, was ectopic and suppressed on E11. In conclusion, insulin-induced maternal hypoglycemia caused developmental disruption, but not simple developmental retardation of fetal eyes, and its trigger might be a failure of presumptive retina and lens to interact on E11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiharu Kuwata
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kita-Kasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takanori Maejima
- Translational Science, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinobu Hakamata
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kita-Kasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoko Yahagi
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kita-Kasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiki Matsuoka
- Translational Science, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Tsuchiya
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kita-Kasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Zhang L, Hu K, Shao T, Hou L, Zhang S, Ye W, Josephson L, Meyer JH, Zhang MR, Vasdev N, Wang J, Xu H, Wang L, Liang SH. Recent developments on PET radiotracers for TSPO and their applications in neuroimaging. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:373-393. [PMID: 33643818 PMCID: PMC7893127 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is predominately localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane in steroidogenic cells. Brain TSPO expression is relatively low under physiological conditions, but is upregulated in response to glial cell activation. As the primary index of neuroinflammation, TSPO is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In this context, numerous TSPO-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have been developed. Among them, several radioligands have advanced to clinical research studies. In this review, we will overview the recent development of TSPO PET tracers, focusing on the radioligand design, radioisotope labeling, pharmacokinetics, and PET imaging evaluation. Additionally, we will consider current limitations, as well as translational potential for future application of TSPO radiopharmaceuticals. This review aims to not only present the challenges in current TSPO PET imaging, but to also provide a new perspective on TSPO targeted PET tracer discovery efforts. Addressing these challenges will facilitate the translation of TSPO in clinical studies of neuroinflammation associated with central nervous system diseases.
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Key Words
- AD, Alzheimer's disease
- ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- AMPA, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid
- ANT, adenine nucleotide transporter
- Am, molar activities
- BBB, blood‒brain barrier
- BMSC, bone marrow stromal cells
- BP, binding potential
- BPND, non-displaceable binding potential
- BcTSPO, Bacillus cereus TSPO
- CBD, corticobasal degeneration
- CNS disorders
- CNS, central nervous system
- CRAC, cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus sequence
- DLB, Lewy body dementias
- EP, epilepsy
- FTD, frontotemporal dementia
- HAB, high-affinity binding
- HD, Huntington's disease
- HSE, herpes simplex encephalitis
- IMM, inner mitochondrial membrane
- KA, kainic acid
- LAB, low-affinity binding
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- MAB, mixed-affinity binding
- MAO-B, monoamine oxidase B
- MCI, mild cognitive impairment
- MDD, major depressive disorder
- MMSE, mini-mental state examination
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MS, multiple sclerosis
- MSA, multiple system atrophy
- Microglial activation
- NAA/Cr, N-acetylaspartate/creatine
- Neuroinflammation
- OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder
- OMM, outer mitochondrial membrane
- P2X7R, purinergic receptor P2X7
- PAP7, RIa-associated protein
- PBR, peripheral benzodiazepine receptor
- PCA, posterior cortical atrophy
- PD, Parkinson's disease
- PDD, PD dementia
- PET, positron emission tomography
- PKA, protein kinase A
- PRAX-1, PBR-associated protein 1
- PSP, progressive supranuclear palsy
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
- PpIX, protoporphyrin IX
- QA, quinolinic acid
- RCYs, radiochemical yields
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- RRMS, relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
- SA, specific activity
- SAH, subarachnoid hemorrhage
- SAR, structure–activity relationship
- SCIDY, spirocyclic iodonium ylide
- SNL, selective neuronal loss
- SNR, signal to noise ratio
- SUV, standard uptake volume
- SUVR, standard uptake volume ratio
- TBAH, tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide
- TBI, traumatic brain injury
- TLE, temporal lobe epilepsy
- TSPO
- TSPO, translocator protein
- VDAC, voltage-dependent anion channel
- VT, distribution volume
- d.c. RCYs, decay-corrected radiochemical yields
- dMCAO, distal middle cerebral artery occlusion
- fP, plasma free fraction
- n.d.c. RCYs, non-decay-corrected radiochemical yields
- p.i., post-injection
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Abstract
Zika virus was considered an innocent pathogen while restricted to the African and Asian population; however, after reaching the Americas in March 2015, it became a global threat. Despite usually causing mild or no symptoms in infected adults, Zika virus displays a different behavior toward fetuses. When infected during gestation, fetuses have their immature neural cells killed by the virus and consequently have devastating findings at birth. In the past year the drastic effects of Zika virus infection in newborns include neurological, ophthalmological, audiological, and skeletal abnormalities. These findings represent a new entity called congenital Zika syndrome. We summarize the ocular findings of congenital Zika Syndrome, as well as the current understanding of the illness, systemic manifestations, laboratory investigation, differential diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment for this disorder.
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Green ML, Pisano MM, Prough RA, Knudsen TB. Release of targeted p53 from the mitochondrion as an early signal during mitochondrial dysfunction. Cell Signal 2013; 25:2383-90. [PMID: 23899557 PMCID: PMC3826263 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Increased accumulation of p53 tumor suppressor protein is an early response to low-level stressors. To investigate the fate of mitochondrial-sequestered p53, mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (MEFs) on a p53-deficient genetic background were transfected with p53-EGFP fusion protein led by a sense (m53-EGFP) or antisense (c53-EGFP) mitochondrial import signal. Rotenone exposure (100nM, 1h) triggered the translocation of m53-EGFP from the mitochondrion to the nucleus, thus shifting the transfected cells from a mitochondrial p53 to a nuclear p53 state. Antibodies for p53 serine phosphorylation or lysine acetylation indicated a different post-translational status of recombinant p53 in the nucleus and mitochondrion, respectively. These data suggest that cycling of p53 through the mitochondria may establish a direct pathway for p53 signaling from the mitochondria to the nucleus during mitochondrial dysfunction. PK11195, a pharmacological ligand of mitochondrial TSPO (formerly known as the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor), partially suppressed the release of mitochondria-sequestered p53. These findings support the notion that p53 function mediates a direct signaling pathway from the mitochondria to nucleus during mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Green
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville, 501 S. Preston St., Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
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Meyer JN, Leung MCK, Rooney JP, Sendoel A, Hengartner MO, Kisby GE, Bess AS. Mitochondria as a target of environmental toxicants. Toxicol Sci 2013; 134:1-17. [PMID: 23629515 PMCID: PMC3693132 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kft102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 350] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Enormous strides have recently been made in our understanding of the biology and pathobiology of mitochondria. Many diseases have been identified as caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, and many pharmaceuticals have been identified as previously unrecognized mitochondrial toxicants. A much smaller but growing literature indicates that mitochondria are also targeted by environmental pollutants. We briefly review the importance of mitochondrial function and maintenance for health based on the genetics of mitochondrial diseases and the toxicities resulting from pharmaceutical exposure. We then discuss how the principles of mitochondrial vulnerability illustrated by those fields might apply to environmental contaminants, with particular attention to factors that may modulate vulnerability including genetic differences, epigenetic interactions, tissue characteristics, and developmental stage. Finally, we review the literature related to environmental mitochondrial toxicants, with a particular focus on those toxicants that target mitochondrial DNA. We conclude that the fields of environmental toxicology and environmental health should focus more strongly on mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel N Meyer
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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Girard C, Liu S, Adams D, Lacroix C, Sinéus M, Boucher C, Papadopoulos V, Rupprecht R, Schumacher M, Groyer G. Axonal regeneration and neuroinflammation: roles for the translocator protein 18 kDa. J Neuroendocrinol 2012; 24:71-81. [PMID: 21951109 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02215.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
After a traumatic injury of the nervous system or in the course of a neurodegenerative disease, the speed of axonal regeneration and the control of the inflammatory response are fundamental parameters of functional recovery. Spontaneous regeneration takes place in the peripheral nervous system, although the process is slow and often incomplete. There is currently no efficient treatment for enhancing axonal regeneration, including elongation speed and functional reinnervation. Ligands of the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) are currently under investigation as therapeutic means for promoting neuroprotection, accelerating axonal regeneration and modulating inflammation. The mechanisms of action of TSPO ligands involve the regulation of mitochondrial activity and the stimulation of steroid biosynthesis. In the peripheral nervous system, TSPO expression is strongly up-regulated after injury, primarily in Schwann cells and macrophages, but also in neurones. Its levels return to low control values when nerve regeneration is completed, strongly supporting an important role in regenerative processes. We have demonstrated a role for the benzoxazine etifoxine in promoting axonal regeneration in the lesioned rat sciatic nerve, either after freeze-injury or complete transection. Etifoxine is already clinically approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders (Stresam(®) , Biocodex, Gentilly, France). Daily treatment with etifoxine resulted in a two-fold acceleration in axonal regeneration, as well as in a marked improvement of both the speed and quality of functional recovery. The neuroregenerative effects of etifoxine are likely to be mediated by TSPO, and they may involve an increased synthesis of pregnenolone and its metabolites, such as progesterone. After freeze-injury of the sciatic nerve, administration of etifoxine also strongly reduced the number of activated macrophages and decreased the production of the inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. Thus, this drug offers promise for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries and axonal neuropathies. It may also be used as a lead compound in the development of new TSPO-based neuroprotective approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Girard
- UMR788 Inserm and University Paris-Sud 11, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Robinson JF, Guerrette Z, Yu X, Hong S, Faustman EM. A systems-based approach to investigate dose- and time-dependent methylmercury-induced gene expression response in C57BL/6 mouse embryos undergoing neurulation. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART B, DEVELOPMENTAL AND REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY 2010; 89:188-200. [PMID: 20540155 PMCID: PMC3726008 DOI: 10.1002/bdrb.20241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrations during neurulation due to genetic and/or environmental factors underlie a variety of adverse developmental outcomes, including neural tube defects (NTDs). Methylmercury (MeHg) is a developmental neurotoxicant and teratogen that perturbs a wide range of biological processes/pathways in animal models, including those involved in early gestation (e.g., cell cycle, cell differentiation). Yet, the relationship between these MeHg-linked effects and changes in gestational development remains unresolved. Specifically, current information lacks mechanistic comparisons across dose or time for MeHg exposure during neurulation. These detailed investigations are crucial for identifying sensitive indicators of toxicity and for risk assessment applications. METHODS Using a systems-based toxicogenomic approach, we examined dose- and time-dependent effects of MeHg on gene expression in C57BL/6 mouse embryos during cranial neural tube closure, assessing for significantly altered genes and associated Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes. Using the GO-based application GO-Quant, we quantitatively assessed dose- and time-dependent effects on gene expression within enriched GO biological processes impacted by MeHg. RESULTS We observed MeHg to significantly alter expression of 883 genes, including several genes (e.g., Vangl2, Celsr1, Ptk7, Twist, Tcf7) previously characterized to be crucial for neural tube development. Significantly altered genes were associated with development cell adhesion, cell cycle, and cell differentiation-related GO biological processes. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that MeHg-induced impacts within these biological processes during gestational development may underlie MeHg-induced teratogenic and neurodevelopmental toxicity outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua F. Robinson
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication,
Seattle, Washington
- Center for Child Environmental Health Risks Research,
Seattle, Washington
| | - Zachariah Guerrette
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication,
Seattle, Washington
- Center for Child Environmental Health Risks Research,
Seattle, Washington
| | - Xiaozhong Yu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication,
Seattle, Washington
- Center for Child Environmental Health Risks Research,
Seattle, Washington
| | - Sungwoo Hong
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication,
Seattle, Washington
- Center for Child Environmental Health Risks Research,
Seattle, Washington
| | - Elaine M. Faustman
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, Seattle,
Washington
- Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication,
Seattle, Washington
- Center on Human Development and Disability, Seattle,
Washington
- Center for Child Environmental Health Risks Research,
Seattle, Washington
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11
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Robinson JF, Griffith WC, Yu X, Hong S, Kim E, Faustman EM. Methylmercury induced toxicogenomic response in C57 and SWV mouse embryos undergoing neural tube closure. Reprod Toxicol 2010; 30:284-91. [PMID: 20493249 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2010] [Revised: 04/06/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a developmental neurotoxicant and teratogen and is hypothesized to perturb a wide range of biological processes, like other metals including arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd). Common inbred mouse strains including C57 (sensitive) and SWV (resistant) display differences in sensitivity to metals such as As and Cd when exposed during neurulation. In this study, we investigated the impact of MeHg on neurulation, assessing for potential differences in sensitivity and associated toxicogenomic response in C57 and SWV mouse embryos. Parallel with morphological assessments of neural tube closure, we evaluated quantitative differences in MeHg-induced alterations in expression between strains at the gene level and within gene-enriched biological processes. Specifically, we observed differing sensitivities to MeHg-induced impacts on neural tube closure between C57 and SWV embryos in a time-dependent manner. These observations correlated with greater impact on the expression of genes associated with development and environmental stress-related pathways in the C57 compared to the SWV. Additional developmental parameters (e.g. mortality, growth effects) evaluated showed mixed significant effects across the two strains and did not support observations of differential sensitivity to MeHg. This study provides potential insights into MeHg-induced mechanisms of developmental toxicity, alterations associated with increased MeHg sensitivity and common biological processes affected by metals in embryos undergoing neurulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua F Robinson
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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12
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Green ML, Singh AV, Zhang Y, Nemeth KA, Sulik KK, Knudsen TB. Reprogramming of genetic networks during initiation of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Dev Dyn 2007; 236:613-31. [PMID: 17200951 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are birth defects that result from maternal alcohol use. We used a non a priori approach to prioritize candidate pathways during alcohol-induced teratogenicity in early mouse embryos. Two C57BL/6 substrains (B6J, B6N) served as the basis for study. Dosing pregnant dams with alcohol (2x 2.9 g/kg ethanol spaced 4 hr on day 8) induced FASD in B6J at a higher incidence than B6N embryos. Counter-exposure to PK11195 (4 mg/kg) significantly protected B6J embryos but slightly promoted FASD in B6N embryos. Microarray transcript profiling was performed on the embryonic headfold 3 hr after the first maternal alcohol injection (GEO data series accession GSE1074). This analysis revealed metabolic and cellular reprogramming that was substrain-specific and/or PK11195-dependent. Mapping ethanol-responsive KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways revealed down-regulation of ribosomal proteins and proteasome, and up-regulation of glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway in B6N embryos; and significant up-regulation of tight junction, focal adhesion, adherens junction, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton (and near-significant up-regulation of Wnt signaling and apoptosis) pathways in both substrains. Expression networks constructed computationally from these altered genes identified entry points for EtOH at several hubs (MAPK1, ALDH3A2, CD14, PFKM, TNFRSF1A, RPS6, IGF1, EGFR, PTEN) and for PK11195 at AKT1. Our findings are consistent with the growing view that developmental exposure to alcohol alters common signaling pathways linking receptor activation to cytoskeletal reorganization. The programmatic shift in cell motility and metabolic capacity further implies cell signals and responses that are integrated by the mitochondrial recognition site for PK11195.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia L Green
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Papadopoulos V, Baraldi M, Guilarte TR, Knudsen TB, Lacapère JJ, Lindemann P, Norenberg MD, Nutt D, Weizman A, Zhang MR, Gavish M. Translocator protein (18kDa): new nomenclature for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor based on its structure and molecular function. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2006; 27:402-9. [PMID: 16822554 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2006.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1081] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2005] [Revised: 04/21/2006] [Accepted: 06/19/2006] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor or recognition site (PBR) is a widely distributed transmembrane protein that is located mainly in the outer mitochondrial membrane. The PBR binds to high-affinity drug ligands and cholesterol. Many functions are associated directly or indirectly with the PBR, including the regulation of cholesterol transport and the synthesis of steroid hormones, porphyrin transport and heme synthesis, apoptosis, cell proliferation, anion transport, regulation of mitochondrial functions and immunomodulation. Based on these functions, there are many potential clinical applications of PBR modulation, such as in oncologic, endocrine, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Although "PBR" is a widely used and accepted name in the scientific community, recent data regarding the structure and molecular function of this protein increasingly support renaming it to represent more accurately its subcellular role (or roles) and putative tissue-specific function (or functions). Translocator protein (18kDa) is proposed as a new name, regardless of the subcellular localization of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
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14
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Lawson CC, Grajewski B, Daston GP, Frazier LM, Lynch D, McDiarmid M, Murono E, Perreault SD, Robbins WA, Ryan MAK, Shelby M, Whelan EA. Workgroup report: Implementing a national occupational reproductive research agenda--decade one and beyond. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2006; 114:435-41. [PMID: 16507468 PMCID: PMC1392239 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2005] [Accepted: 10/26/2005] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The initial goal of occupational reproductive health research is to effectively study the many toxicants, physical agents, and biomechanical and psychosocial stressors that may constitute reproductive hazards in the workplace. Although the main objective of occupational reproductive researchers and clinicians is to prevent recognized adverse reproductive outcomes, research has expanded to include a broader spectrum of chronic health outcomes potentially affected by reproductive toxicants. To aid in achieving these goals, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, along with its university, federal, industry, and labor colleagues, formed the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) in 1996. NORA resulted in 21 research teams, including the Reproductive Health Research Team (RHRT). In this report, we describe progress made in the last decade by the RHRT and by others in this field, including prioritizing reproductive toxicants for further study; facilitating collaboration among epidemiologists, biologists, and toxicologists; promoting quality exposure assessment in field studies and surveillance; and encouraging the design and conduct of priority occupational reproductive studies. We also describe new tools for screening reproductive toxicants and for analyzing mode of action. We recommend considering outcomes such as menopause and latent adverse effects for further study, as well as including exposures such as shift work and nanomaterials. We describe a broad domain of scholarship activities where a cohesive system of organized and aligned work activities integrates 10 years of team efforts and provides guidance for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina C Lawson
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226-1998, USA.
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15
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Nemeth KA, Singh AV, Knudsen TB. Searching for biomarkers of developmental toxicity with microarrays: normal eye morphogenesis in rodent embryos. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2005; 206:219-28. [PMID: 15967212 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2004.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2004] [Revised: 12/28/2004] [Accepted: 12/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression arrays reveal the potential linkage of altered gene expression with specific adverse effects leading to disease phenotypes. But how closely do microarray data reflect early physiological or pharmacological measures that predict toxic event(s)? To explore this issue, we have undertaken experiments in early mouse embryos exposed to various teratogens during neurulation stages with the aim of correlating large-scale changes in gene expression across the critical period during exposure. This study reports some of the large-scale changes in gene expression that can be detected in the optic rudiment of the developing mouse and rat embryo across the window of development during which the eye is exceedingly sensitive to teratogen-induced micro-/anophthalmia. Microarray analysis was performed on RNA from the headfold or ocular region at the optic vesicle and optic cup stages when the ocular primordium is enriched for Pax-6, a master control gene for eye morphogenesis. Statistical selection of differentially regulated genes and various clustering techniques identified groups of genes in upward or downward trajectories in the normal optic primordium during early eye development in mouse and rat species. We identified 165 genes with significant differential expression during eye development, and a smaller subset of 58 genes that showed a tight correlation between mouse-rat development. Significantly over-represented functional categories included fatty acid metabolism (up-regulated) and glycolysis (down-regulated). From studies such as these that benchmark large-scale gene expression during normal embryonic development, we may be able to identify the panel of biomarkers that best correlate with species differences and the risks for developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Nemeth
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Knudsen TB, Green ML. Response characteristics of the mitochondrial DNA genome in developmental health and disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 72:313-29. [PMID: 15662705 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on mitochondrial biology in mammalian development; specifically, the dynamics of information transfer from nucleus to mitochondrion in the regulation of mitochondrial DNA genomic expression, and the reverse signaling of mitochondrion to nucleus as an adaptive response to the environment. Data from recent studies suggest that the capacity of embryonic cells to react to oxygenation involves a tradeoff between factors that influence prenatal growth/development and postnatal growth/function. For example, mitochondrial DNA replication and metabolic set points in nematodes may be determined by mitochondrial activity early in life. The mitochondrial drug PK11195, a ligand of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, has antiteratogenic and antidisease action in several developmental contexts in mice. Protein malnutrition during early life in rats can program mitochondrial DNA levels in adult tissues and, in humans, epidemiological data suggest an association between impaired fetal growth and insulin resistance. Taken together, these findings raise the provocative hypothesis that environmental programming of mitochondrial status during early life may be linked with diseases that manifest during adulthood. Genetic defects that affect mitochondrial function may involve the mitochondrial DNA genome directly (maternal inheritance) or indirectly (Mendelian inheritance) through nuclear-coded mitochondrial proteins. In a growing number of cases, the depletion of, or deletion in, mitochondrial DNA is seen to be secondary to mutation of key nuclear-coded mitochondrial proteins that affect mitochondrial DNA replication, expression, or stability. These defects of intergenomic regulation may disrupt the normal cross-talk or structural compartmentation of signals that ultimately regulate mitochondrial DNA integrity and copy number, leading to depletion of mitochondrial DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Knudsen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, School of Dentistry, Birth Defects Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA.
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O'Hara MF, Nibbio BJ, Craig RC, Nemeth KR, Charlap JH, Knudsen TB. Mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors regulate oxygen homeostasis in the early mouse embryo. Reprod Toxicol 2003; 17:365-75. [PMID: 12849846 DOI: 10.1016/s0890-6238(03)00035-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (Bzrp) has been implicated in the control of several processes, including mitochondrial biogenesis and embryo development. The present study examined the impact that specific Bzrp ligands have on oxygen homeostasis in the early mouse embryo. Day 9 embryos at the 16-18 somite pair stage were exposed to standard (21% oxygen) and suboptimal (5% oxygen) oxygen tensions in whole embryo culture. Analysis of gene expression used relative PCR to monitor changes in nuclear respiratory factor-1 (Nrf1), mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA), and genes for several glycolytic enzymes. Ocular development was highly sensitive to periods of hypoxia through a mechanism blocked with the potent Bzrp ligand PK11195. Hypoxia led to a decline of Nrf1 and 16S rRNA levels also through a mechanism blocked with PK11195. Similar activity was observed for FGIN-1-27 whereas Ro5-4864 had contradictory effects. Morpholino-based gene knockdown of Nrf1 (anti-NRF1) produced a sequence-specific decrease in 16S rRNA insensitive to PK11195. These functional relationships suggest that Bzrp-dependent signals regulate the Nrf1 --> Tfam1 --> mtDNA --> 16S rRNA pathway in response to oxygen levels. The activity of PK11195 most likely has a pharmacodynamic basis with regards to specific embryonic precursor target cell populations, transducing a mitochondrial signal to an Nrf1 response analogous to retrograde regulation in yeast for mitochondria-to-nucleus signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F O'Hara
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Charlap JH, Donahue RJ, Knudsen TB. Exposure-disease continuum for 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine, a prototype ocular teratogen. 3. Intervention with PK11195. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART A, CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY 2003; 67:108-15. [PMID: 12769506 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.10026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of pregnant mice with 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (2CdA) on Day 8 of gestation induces microphthalmia through a mechanism linked to the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. The present study defines the response of Day 8 mouse embryos through time with respect to pharmacologic intervention with PK11195, a ligand of the mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (Bzrp). METHODS Pregnant CD-1 mice dosed with 2CdA with or without PK11195 on gestation Day 8 provided fetuses for teratologic evaluation on Day 14 and Day 17; HPLC measured pyridine nucleotides (NADH/NAD+) at 1.5 hr, RT-PCR measured mitochondrial 16S rRNA abundance at 3.0 hr, and p53 protein induction was assessed with immunostaining at 4.5 hr postexposure. RESULTS The mean incidences of malformed fetuses were significantly higher in the 7.5 mg/kg 2CdA treatment group (50.2% malformed) vs. the 2CdA + 4.0 mg/kg PK11195 co-treatment group (4.4% malformed). Malformed fetuses displayed a range of ocular defects that included microphthalmia and keratolenticular dysgenesis (Peters anomaly). No malformations were observed in the control or PK11195 alone groups. PK11195 also protected litters from increased resorption rates and fetal weight reduction. It did not rescue early effects on NADH balance (1.5 hr) or 16S rRNA expression (3.0 hr); however, the p53 response (4.5 hr) was downgraded in 2CdA + PK11195 embryos vs. 2CdA alone. By delaying the administration of PK11195 in 1.5 hr intervals it was determined that the window for protection closed between 4.5 to 6.0 hr after 2CdA. CONCLUSIONS The capacity of PK11195 to suppress the pathogenesis of microphthalmia implies a critical role for mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in the p53-dependent mode of action of 2CdA on ocular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey H Charlap
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA
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