1
|
Song B, Qian J, Fu J. Research progress and potential application of microRNA and other non-coding RNAs in forensic medicine. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:329-350. [PMID: 37770641 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03091-1] [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] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
At present, epigenetic markers have been extensively studied in various fields and have a high value in forensic medicine due to their unique mode of inheritance, which does not involve DNA sequence alterations. As an epigenetic phenomenon that plays an important role in gene expression, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) act as key factors mediating gene silencing, participating in cell division, and regulating immune response and other important biological processes. With the development of molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, ncRNAs such as microRNA (miRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and P-element induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNA (piRNA) are increasingly been shown to have potential in the practice of forensic medicine. NcRNAs, mainly miRNA, may provide new strategies and methods for the identification of tissues and body fluids, cause-of-death analysis, time-related estimation, age estimation, and the identification of monozygotic twins. In this review, we describe the research progress and application status of ncRNAs, mainly miRNA, and other ncRNAs such as circRNA, lncRNA, and piRNA, in forensic practice, including the identification of tissues and body fluids, cause-of-death analysis, time-related estimation, age estimation, and the identification of monozygotic twins. The close links between ncRNAs and forensic medicine are presented, and their research values and application prospects in forensic medicine are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binghui Song
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and DNA Forensic Medicine, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Qian
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and DNA Forensic Medicine, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine and DNA Forensic Medicine, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Laboratory of Forensic DNA, the Judicial Authentication Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Thakral S, Purohit P, Mishra R, Gupta V, Setia P. The impact of RNA stability and degradation in different tissues to the determination of post-mortem interval: A systematic review. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 349:111772. [PMID: 37450949 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Postmortem interval (PMI) in legal medicine is extremely important for both criminal and civil cases, and several sorts of techniques have been recommended. This systematic review solely focuses on approaches linked to RNA analysis, instead of including all proposed methods for determining the PMI. The term PMI will be used in this review to indicate the time between a person's death and the postmortem examination of the body. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines when conducting this systematic review. The majority of studies on various tissues at various time intervals at various temperatures are non-human, and just a small number are on humans. The results are then provided using various statistical approaches. To calculate the PMI, post-mortem RNA degradation was examined using several tissues. The result so obtained had an opposite polarity. While some studies show that RNA stability in various tissues remained constant for several days after death, the other group of studies showed evident RNA degradation over time post-mortem, which was significantly influenced by temperature and other agonal factors. These factors have an impact on the multi-parametric mathematical model of ante and post-mortem factors on RNA degradation, as well as its applicability and feasibility. The estimation of PMI using RNA degradation can prove to be highly objective and efficient after controlling for the various factors and challenges that pose the estimation of RNA in forensic samples difficult.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Thakral
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Purvi Purohit
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342005, India
| | - Richa Mishra
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Vaibhav Gupta
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Puneet Setia
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342005, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhu Z, Huang X, Du M, Wu C, Fu J, Tan W, Wu B, Zhang J, Liao ZB. Recent advances in the role of miRNAs in post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2630-2644. [PMID: 37340171 PMCID: PMC10615752 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02126-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is usually considered a psychiatric disorder upon emotional trauma. However, with the rising number of conflicts and traffic accidents around the world, the incidence of PTSD has skyrocketed along with traumatic brain injury (TBI), a complex neuropathological disease due to external physical force and is also the most common concurrent disease of PTSD. Recently, the overlap between PTSD and TBI is increasingly attracting attention, as it has the potential to stimulate the emergence of novel treatments for both conditions. Of note, treatments exploiting the microRNAs (miRNAs), a well-known class of small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), have rapidly gained momentum in many nervous system disorders, given the miRNAs' multitudinous and key regulatory role in various biological processes, including neural development and normal functioning of the nervous system. Currently, a wealth of studies has elucidated the similarities of PTSD and TBI in pathophysiology and symptoms; however, there is a dearth of discussion with respect to miRNAs in both PTSD and TBI. In this review, we summarize the recent available studies of miRNAs in PTSD and TBI and discuss and highlight promising miRNAs therapeutics for both conditions in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xuekang Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Mengran Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chenrui Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jiayuanyuan Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Weilin Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Biying Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Z B Liao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guardado-Estrada M, Cárdenas-Monroy CA, Martínez-Rivera V, Cortez F, Pedraza-Lara C, Millan-Catalan O, Pérez-Plasencia C. A miRNome analysis at the early postmortem interval. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15409. [PMID: 37304870 PMCID: PMC10257396 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The postmortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsing since the death of an individual until the body is examined. Different molecules have been analyzed to better estimate the PMI with variable results. The miRNAs draw attention in the forensic field to estimate the PMI as they can better support degradation. In the present work, we analyzed the miRNome at early PMI in rats' skeletal muscle using the Affymetrix GeneChip™ miRNA 4.0 microarrays. We found 156 dysregulated miRNAs in rats' skeletal muscle at 24 h of PMI, out of which 84 were downregulated, and 72 upregulated. The miRNA most significantly downregulated was miR-139-5p (FC = -160, p = 9.97 × 10-11), while the most upregulated was rno-miR-92b-5p (FC = 241.18, p = 2.39 × 10-6). Regarding the targets of these dysregulated miRNAs, the rno-miR-125b-5p and rno-miR-138-5p were the miRNAs with more mRNA targets. The mRNA targets that we found in the present study participate in several biological processes such as interleukin secretion regulation, translation regulation, cell growth, or low oxygen response. In addition, we found a downregulation of SIRT1 mRNA and an upregulation of TGFBR2 mRNA at 24 h of PMI. These results suggest there is an active participation of miRNAs at early PMI which could be further explored to identify potential biomarkers for PMI estimation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Guardado-Estrada
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Christian A. Cárdenas-Monroy
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vanessa Martínez-Rivera
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernanda Cortez
- Computational Genomics Division, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Pedraza-Lara
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oliver Millan-Catalan
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Pérez-Plasencia
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang C, Ji Y, Zhang H, Ye Y, Zhang G, Zhang S, Zhao C, Wang Y. Increased level of exosomal miR-20b-5p derived from hypothermia-treated microglia promotes neurite outgrowth and synapse recovery after traumatic brain injury. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 179:106042. [PMID: 36804284 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106042] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild hypothermia has been proven to inhibit microglia activation after TBI. Exosomal microRNA derived from microglia played a critical role in promoting neurite outgrowth and synapse recovery. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of microRNAs in microglial exosomes after hypothermia treatment on neuronal regeneration after TBI. For in vitro study, stretch-injured neurons were co-cultured with microglial exosomes. For in vivo study, C57BL/6 mice were under controlled cortical impact and injected with microglial exosomes. The results showed that MG-LPS-EXOHT increased the number of dendrite branches and total length of dendrites both in vitro and in vivo, elevated the expression levels of PSD-95 and GluR1 in stretch-injured neurons, and increased spine density in the pericontusion region. Moreover, MG-LPS-EXOHT improved motor function and motor coordination. A high-throughput sequencing showed that miR-20b-5p was upregulated in MG-LPS-EXOHT. Elevating miR-20b-5p promoted neurite outgrowth and synapse recovery of injured neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Following mechanistic study demonstrated that miR-20b-5p might promote neurite outgrowth and synapse recovery by directly targeting PTEN and activating PI3K-AKT pathway. In conclusion, mild hypothermia could modify the microRNA prolife of exosomes derived from LPS activated BV2 cells. Furthermore, high level of microglial exosomal miR-20b-5p induced by mild hypothermia could transfer into injured neurons and promote neurite outgrowth and synapse recovery after TBI via activating the PI3K-AKT pathway by suppressing PTEN expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Disease Research Centre, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunxiang Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Disease Research Centre, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huabin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Disease Research Centre, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongyi Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Disease Research Centre, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guilong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Disease Research Centre, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shizhen Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Disease Research Centre, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yezhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Disease Research Centre, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Real-Time PCR Quantification of 87 miRNAs from Cerebrospinal Fluid: miRNA Dynamics and Association with Extracellular Vesicles after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054751. [PMID: 36902179 PMCID: PMC10003046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054751] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is an intracranial damage triggered by external force, most commonly due to falls and traffic accidents. The initial brain injury can progress into a secondary injury involving numerous pathophysiological processes. The resulting sTBI dynamics makes the treatment challenging and prompts the improved understanding of underlying intracranial processes. Here, we analysed how extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) are affected by sTBI. We collected thirty-five cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from five sTBI patients during twelve days (d) after the injury and combined them into d1-2, d3-4, d5-6 and d7-12 CSF pools. After miRNA isolation and cDNA synthesis with added quantification spike-ins, we applied a real-time PCR-array targeting 87 miRNAs. We detected all of the targeted miRNAs, with totals ranging from several nanograms to less than a femtogram, with the highest levels found at d1-2 followed by decreasing levels in later CSF pools. The most abundant miRNAs were miR-451a, miR-16-5p, miR-144-3p, miR-20a-5p, let-7b-5p, miR-15a-5p, and miR-21-5p. After separating CSF by size-exclusion chromatography, most miRNAs were associated with free proteins, while miR-142-3p, miR-204-5p, and miR-223-3p were identified as the cargo of CD81-enriched extracellular vesicles, as characterised by immunodetection and tunable resistive pulse sensing. Our results indicate that miRNAs might be informative about both brain tissue damage and recovery after sTBI.
Collapse
|
7
|
Arneson D, Zhang G, Ahn IS, Ying Z, Diamante G, Cely I, Palafox-Sanchez V, Gomez-Pinilla F, Yang X. Systems spatiotemporal dynamics of traumatic brain injury at single-cell resolution reveals humanin as a therapeutic target. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:480. [PMID: 35951114 PMCID: PMC9372016 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04495-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The etiology of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) remains elusive due to the tissue and cellular heterogeneity of the affected brain regions that underlie cognitive impairments and subsequent neurological disorders. This complexity is further exacerbated by disrupted circuits within and between cell populations across brain regions and the periphery, which occur at different timescales and in spatial domains. METHODS We profiled three tissues (hippocampus, frontal cortex, and blood leukocytes) at the acute (24-h) and subacute (7-day) phases of mTBI at single-cell resolution. RESULTS We demonstrated that the coordinated gene expression patterns across cell types were disrupted and re-organized by TBI at different timescales with distinct regional and cellular patterns. Gene expression-based network modeling implied astrocytes as a key regulator of the cell-cell coordination following mTBI in both hippocampus and frontal cortex across timepoints, and mt-Rnr2, which encodes the mitochondrial peptide humanin, as a potential target for intervention based on its broad regional and dynamic dysregulation following mTBI. Treatment of a murine mTBI model with humanin reversed cognitive impairment caused by mTBI through the restoration of metabolic pathways within astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our results offer a systems-level understanding of the dynamic and spatial regulation of gene programs by mTBI and pinpoint key target genes, pathways, and cell circuits that are amenable to therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Arneson
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Guanglin Zhang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - In Sook Ahn
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Zhe Ying
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Graciel Diamante
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Ingrid Cely
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Victoria Palafox-Sanchez
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Fernando Gomez-Pinilla
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Brain Injury Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
MicroRNA-138-5p Targets Pro-Apoptotic Factors and Favors Neural Cell Survival: Analysis in the Injured Spinal Cord. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071559. [PMID: 35884864 PMCID: PMC9312482 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system microRNA miR-138-5p has attracted much attention in cancer research because it inhibits pro-apoptotic genes including CASP3. We hypothesize that miR-138-5p downregulation after SCI leads to overexpression of pro-apoptotic genes, sensitizing neural cells to noxious stimuli. This study aimed to identify miR-138-5p targets among pro-apoptotic genes overexpressed following SCI and to confirm that miR-138-5p modulates cell death in neural cells. Gene expression and histological analyses revealed that the drop in miR-138-5p expression after SCI is due to the massive loss of neurons and oligodendrocytes and its downregulation in neurons. Computational analyses identified 176 potential targets of miR-138-5p becoming dysregulated after SCI, including apoptotic proteins CASP-3 and CASP-7, and BAK. Reporter, RT-qPCR, and immunoblot assays in neural cell cultures confirmed that miR-138-5p targets their 3′UTRs, reduces their expression and the enzymatic activity of CASP-3 and CASP-7, and protects cells from apoptotic stimuli. Subsequent RT-qPCR and histological analyses in a rat model of SCI revealed that miR-138-5p downregulation correlates with the overexpression of its pro-apoptotic targets. Our results suggest that the downregulation of miR-138-5p after SCI may have deleterious effects on neural cells, particularly on spinal neurons.
Collapse
|
9
|
Prangenberg J, Doberentz E, Mawick A, Madea B. Mini Review: The Forensic Value of Heat Shock Proteins. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:800100. [PMID: 35083250 PMCID: PMC8785417 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.800100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Forensic pathologists are routinely confronted with unclear causes of death or related findings. In some instances, difficulties arise in relation to questions posed by criminal investigators or prosecutors. Such scenarios may include questions about wound vitality or cause of death where typical or landmark findings are difficult to ascertain. In addition to the usual examinations required to clarify unclear causes of death or address specific questions, immunohistochemistry and genetic analyses have become increasingly important techniques in this area since their establishment last century. Since then, many studies have determined the usefulness and significance of immunohistochemical and genetic investigations on cellular structures and proteins. For example, these proteins include heat shock proteins (Hsp), which were first described in 1962 and are so called based on their molecular weight. They predominantly act as molecular chaperones with cytoprotective functions that support cell survival under (sub) lethal conditions. They are expressed in specific cellular compartments and have many divergent functions. Central family members include, Hsp 27, 60, and 70. This mini review investigates recent research on the Hsp family, their application range, respective forensic importance, and current limitations and provides an outlook on possible applications within forensic science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elke Doberentz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anthea Mawick
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Burkhard Madea
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhou Q, Yin J, Wang Y, Zhuang X, He Z, Chen Z, Yang X. MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:128-136. [PMID: 33390781 PMCID: PMC7738974 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.48214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a sudden trauma on the head, in which severe TBI (sTBI) is usually associated with death and long-term disability. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers of diverse diseases, including TBI. However, few systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted to determine the clinical value of miRNAs expression in TBI patients. Methods: We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis study according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, from inception to August 26, 2020. We included articles written in English that have reported on the diagnostic value of miRNAs expression in TBI patients. We excluded studies that did not provided sufficient information to construct the 2×2 contingency table. Results: Eight studies investigating the diagnostic value of miRNA in TBI were analyzed in this study. The overall sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of miRNAs in diagnosis of TBI were 89% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84-0.93], 92% (95% CI 0.82-0.97) and 95% (95% CI 0.93-0.97). We found that panels of multiple miRNAs could improve the diagnostic accuracy of TBI. Samples from blood and brain tissue have significantly enhanced diagnostic accuracy, when compared with saliva. The AUC of miRNAs in severe TBI was 0.97, with 91% sensitivity and 92% specificity. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that miRNAs could be potential diagnostic markers in TBI patients. MiRNAs detected in blood and brain tissue display high accuracy for TBI diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhou
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Center, The International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jian Yin
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Center, The International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yadong Wang
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Center, The International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xinsuo Zhuang
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Center, The International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhiyang He
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Center, The International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zuobing Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Center, The International Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhao C, Zhao M, Zhu Y, Zhang L, Zheng Z, Wang Q, Li Y, Zhang P, Zhu S, Ding S, Li J. The persistence and stability of miRNA in bloodstained samples under different environmental conditions. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 318:110594. [PMID: 33276201 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
miRNA markers have been an area of forensic interest to identify body fluid sources in recent years. In this study, reverse transcription and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were performed to detect the existence of blood-specific miRNA markers in bloodstained samples under different environmental conditions, Blood samples from 6 individuals were deposited onto glass plates and exposed to different temperature, humidity, ultraviolet light intensity, and natural condition. When samples were stored to a series of estimated test times, total RNA was extracted and the Ct values of the target RNAs were detected, targets included two miRNA markers (hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-451a) and one reference gene (U6 snRNA). Analysis results showed that miR-451a represented strong stability and could be detected at all detection points. Meanwhile, each RNAs exhibited unique degradation characteristics, compared to U6, miRNAs showed stronger stability. Additionally, rain had an adverse effect on RNAs stability and accelerates its degradation rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Zhao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Minzhu Zhao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Zhe Zheng
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Yongguo Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Hainan Medical University, Hainan 570000, China
| | - Shisheng Zhu
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Shijia Ding
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Jianbo Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bohnert S, Seiffert A, Trella S, Bohnert M, Distel L, Ondruschka B, Monoranu CM. TMEM119 as a specific marker of microglia reaction in traumatic brain injury in postmortem examination. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:2167-2176. [PMID: 32719959 PMCID: PMC7578160 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was a refined analysis of neuroinflammation including TMEM119 as a useful microglia-specific marker in forensic assessments of traumatic causes of death, e.g., traumatic brain injury (TBI). Human brain tissue samples were obtained from autopsies and divided into cases with lethal TBI (n = 25) and subdivided into three groups according to their trauma survival time and compared with an age-, gender-, and postmortem interval-matched cohort of sudden cardiovascular fatalities as controls (n = 23). Brain tissue samples next to cortex contusions and surrounding white matter as well as samples of the ipsilateral uninjured brain stem and cerebellum were collected and stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against TMEM119, CD206, and CCR2. We could document the highest number of TMEM119-positive cells in acute TBI death with highly significant differences to the control numbers. CCR2-positive monocytes showed a significantly higher cell count in the cortex samples of TBI cases than in the controls with an increasing number of immunopositive cells over time. The number of CD206-positive M2 microglial cells increased survival time-dependent. After 3 days of survival, the cell number increased significantly in all four regions investigated compared with controls. In sum, we validate a specific and robustly expressed as well as fast reacting microglia marker, TMEM119, which distinguishes microglia from resident and infiltrating macrophages and thus offers a great potential for the estimation of the minimum survival time after TBI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Bohnert
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 3, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Anja Seiffert
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 3, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Trella
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 3, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Bohnert
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 3, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Luitpold Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 27, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Butenfeld 34, 22529, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Camelia-Maria Monoranu
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider Str. 2, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chen Y, Herrold AA, Martinovich Z, Bari S, Vike NL, Blood AJ, Walter AE, Harezlak J, Seidenberg PH, Bhomia M, Knollmann-Ritschel B, Stetsiv K, Reilly JL, Nauman EA, Talavage TM, Papa L, Slobounov S, Breiter HC. Brain Perfusion Mediates the Relationship Between miRNA Levels and Postural Control. Cereb Cortex Commun 2020; 1:tgaa078. [PMID: 34296137 PMCID: PMC8153038 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgaa078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptomics, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and a virtual reality-based spatial motor task were integrated using mediation analysis in a novel demonstration of “imaging omics.” Data collected in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football athletes cleared for play before in-season training showed significant relationships in 1) elevated levels of miR-30d and miR-92a to elevated putamen rCBF, 2) elevated putamen rCBF to compromised Balance scores, and 3) compromised Balance scores to elevated microRNA (miRNA) levels. rCBF acted as a consistent mediator variable (Sobel’s test P < 0.05) between abnormal miRNA levels and compromised Balance scores. Given the involvement of these miRNAs in inflammation and immune function and that vascular perfusion is a component of the inflammatory response, these findings support a chronic inflammatory model in these athletes with 11 years of average football exposure. rCBF, a systems biology measure, was necessary for miRNA to affect behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yufen Chen
- Center for Translational Imaging, Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Amy A Herrold
- Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital, Research Service, Hines, IL 60141, USA
| | - Zoran Martinovich
- Mental Health Services and Policy Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sumra Bari
- Warren Wright Adolescent Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nicole L Vike
- Warren Wright Adolescent Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Anne J Blood
- Mood and Motor Control Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Alexa E Walter
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jaroslaw Harezlak
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Peter H Seidenberg
- Departments of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation and Family & Community Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Manish Bhomia
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Khrystyna Stetsiv
- Warren Wright Adolescent Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - James L Reilly
- Warren Wright Adolescent Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eric A Nauman
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Thomas M Talavage
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Linda Papa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Semyon Slobounov
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hans C Breiter
- Warren Wright Adolescent Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kronsbein K, Karger B, Budczies J, Pfeiffer H, Wittschieber D. Updating the risk profile of fatal head trauma: an autopsy study with focus on age- and sex-dependent differences. Int J Legal Med 2019; 134:295-307. [PMID: 31735980 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02187-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fatal head trauma (FHT) represents one of the most frequent causes of death diagnosed in forensic pathology. However, profound statistic autopsy data on FHT is still sparse. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the circumstances and injury patterns of FHT with particular focus on age and sex, and additionally, to describe a recent risk profile of FHT. To this end, the forensic autopsy records of each FHT case at a large German university hospital during a 10-year period (2006-2015) were analyzed retrospectively (n = 372). The male-female ratio was 2.6:1. Regarding median age, females were 12.5 years older than males. Traffic-associated FHT represents the major mechanism of death, followed by fall-associated FHT. While accident was the major manner of death and presented a similar distribution of age and sex, homicides were the only subgroup with a significantly lower ratio between males and females. Skull fractures occurred in 78.2% and intracranial hemorrhages in 80.6% of all cases. In summary and partly in contrast to clinical data on head trauma, FHT still occurs predominantly in male individuals under the age of 45 years, in the context of traffic accidents and affected by alcohol intake. Improvements in traffic security as well as continuing surveillance of the incidence of FHT by forensic autopsies are necessary to further reduce the incidence of FHT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kronsbein
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
| | - Bernd Karger
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan Budczies
- Institute of Pathology, Division of Biostatistics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heidi Pfeiffer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Wittschieber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Westfalian Wilhelms University, Münster, Germany. .,Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Trautz F, Franke H, Bohnert S, Hammer N, Müller W, Stassart R, Tse R, Zwirner J, Dreßler J, Ondruschka B. Survival-time dependent increase in neuronal IL-6 and astroglial GFAP expression in fatally injured human brain tissue. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11771. [PMID: 31417126 PMCID: PMC6695416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48145-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge on trauma survival time prior to death following a lethal traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be essential for legal purposes. Immunohistochemistry studies might allow to narrow down this survival interval. The biomarkers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are well known in the clinical setting for their usability in TBI prediction. Here, both proteins were chosen in forensics to determine whether neuronal or glial expression in various brain regions may be associated with the cause of death and the survival time prior to death following TBI. IL-6 positive neurons, glial cells and GFAP positive astrocytes all concordantly increase with longer trauma survival time, with statistically significant changes being evident from three days post-TBI (p < 0.05) in the pericontusional zone, irrespective of its definite cortical localization. IL-6 staining in neurons increases significantly in the cerebellum after trauma, whereas increasing GFAP positivity is also detected in the cortex contralateral to the focal lesion. These systematic chronological changes in biomarkers of pericontusional neurons and glial cells allow for an estimation of trauma survival time. Higher numbers of IL-6 and GFAP-stained cells above threshold values in the pericontusional zone substantiate the existence of fatal traumatic changes in the brain with reasonable certainty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Trautz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heike Franke
- Rudolf Boehm Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Bohnert
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Niels Hammer
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Fraunhofer IWU, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wolf Müller
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ruth Stassart
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rexson Tse
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johann Zwirner
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jan Dreßler
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Morganti-Kossmann MC, Semple BD, Hellewell SC, Bye N, Ziebell JM. The complexity of neuroinflammation consequent to traumatic brain injury: from research evidence to potential treatments. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 137:731-755. [PMID: 30535946 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-018-1944-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This review recounts the definitions and research evidence supporting the multifaceted roles of neuroinflammation in the injured brain following trauma. We summarise the literature fluctuating from the protective and detrimental properties that cytokines, leukocytes and glial cells play in the acute and chronic stages of TBI, including the intrinsic factors that influence cytokine responses and microglial functions relative to genetics, sex, and age. We elaborate on the pros and cons that cytokines, chemokines, and microglia play in brain repair, specifically neurogenesis, and how such conflicting roles may be harnessed therapeutically to sustain the survival of new neurons. With a brief review of the clinical and experimental findings demonstrating early and chronic inflammation impacts on outcomes, we focus on the clinical conditions that may be amplified by neuroinflammation, ranging from acute seizures to chronic epilepsy, neuroendocrine dysfunction, dementia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Finally, we provide an overview of the therapeutic agents that have been tested to reduce inflammation-driven secondary pathological cascades and speculate the future promise of alternative drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Morganti-Kossmann
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Australian New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Bridgette D Semple
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah C Hellewell
- Sydney Translational Imaging Laboratory, Charles Perkins Centre, Heart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Bye
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia
| | - Jenna M Ziebell
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Vuokila N, Lukasiuk K, Bot AM, van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Pitkänen A, Puhakka N. miR-124-3p is a chronic regulator of gene expression after brain injury. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:4557-4581. [PMID: 30155647 PMCID: PMC11105702 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2911-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) initiates molecular and cellular pathologies that underlie post-injury morbidities, including hippocampus-related memory decline and epileptogenesis. Non-coding small RNAs are master regulators of gene expression with the potential to affect multiple molecular pathways. To evaluate whether hippocampal gene expression networks are chronically regulated by microRNAs after TBI, we sampled the dentate gyrus of rats with severe TBI induced by lateral fluid-percussion injury 3 months earlier. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed 30 upregulated miR-124-3p targets, suggesting that miR-124-3p is downregulated post-TBI (z-score = - 5.146, p < 0.05). Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and in situ hybridization confirmed the chronic downregulation of miR-124-3p (p < 0.05). Quantitative PCR analysis of two targets, Plp2 and Stat3, indicated that their upregulation correlated with the miR-124-3p downregulation (r = - 0.647, p < 0.05; r = - 0.629, p < 0.05, respectively). Immunohistochemical staining of STAT3 confirmed the increased protein expression. STRING analysis showed that 9 of the 30 miR-124-3p targets belonged to a STAT3 network. Reactome analysis and data mining connected the targets especially to inflammation and signal transduction. L1000CDS2 software revealed drugs (e.g., importazole, trichostatin A, and IKK-16) that could reverse the observed molecular changes. The translational value of our data was emphasized by in situ hybridization showing chronic post-traumatic downregulation of miR-124-3p in the dentate gyrus of TBI patients. Analysis of another brain injury model, status epilepticus, highlighted the fact that chronic downregulation of miR-124 is a common phenomenon after brain injury. Together, our findings indicate that miR-124-3p is a chronic modulator of molecular networks relevant to post-injury hippocampal pathologies in experimental models and in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niina Vuokila
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katarzyna Lukasiuk
- The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Str, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Maria Bot
- The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Str, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Erwin A van Vliet
- Department of (Neuro)pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Asla Pitkänen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Noora Puhakka
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ye MY, Xu D, Liu JC, Lyu HP, Xue Y, He JT, Huang HY, Zhang KK, Xie XL, Wang Q. IL-6 and IL-20 as potential markers for vitality of skin contusion. J Forensic Leg Med 2018; 59:8-12. [PMID: 30059828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The detection of vitality of wounds is very important in forensic practice. This study is performed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in both mouse and human skin wounds for the application of IL-6 and IL-20 in order to differentiate intravital wounds from postmortem wounds. RT-qPCR analysis of contused mouse skin showed that increased IL-6 and IL-20 mRNA levels were found in comparison to intact skin tissues. The increased mRNA expressions of IL-6 and IL-20 were observed until 72 h after death in contused mouse skin, whereas there were no marked changes in these two cytokines in the postmortem contusion group. The alterations of IL-6 and IL-20 can also be detected in human skin wound samples. These finding suggest that mRNA levels of IL-6 and IL-20 might be used as potential markers for vital reaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yuan Ye
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Xu
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Cen Liu
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao-Pin Lyu
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Xue
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie-Tao He
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Yan Huang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai-Kai Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Li Xie
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ondruschka B, Rosinsky F, Trauer H, Schneider E, Dreßler J, Franke H. Drug- and/or trauma-induced hyperthermia? Characterization of HSP70 and myoglobin expression. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194442. [PMID: 29566034 PMCID: PMC5864017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression could be discussed as an adaption that promotes repair and counteracts cell damage. Myoglobin is released upon muscle damage of several pathways. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the expression of HSP70 in kidney, heart and brain and of myoglobin in the kidney were associated with the cause of death and the survival times after lethal intoxications with three of the drugs most widely used in our local area (Saxony, Germany) as well as after fatal traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods We retrospectively collected kidney, heart and brain samples of 50 autopsy cases with toxicological proved lethal intoxication (main drugs methamphetamine, morphine, alcohol), 14 TBI cases and 15 fatalities with acute myocardial injury in age- and gender-matched compilations. Results Our main findings suggest that HSP70 is associated with hyperthermal and other stress factors of most cell populations. HSP70 expressions in kidney and heart muscle are useful for a differentiation between fatal intoxications and cases without toxicological influence (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the cerebral expression patterns between methamphetamine- and morphine-associated deaths compared to alcohol fatalities (p < 0.05). An intensive staining of HSP70 in the pericontusional zone and the hippocampus after TBI (especially neuronal and vascular) was shown even after short survival times and may be useful as an additional marker in questions of vitality or wound age. A relevant myoglobin decoration of renal tubules was only shown for methamphetamine abuse in the study presented. Conclusion In sum, the immunohistochemical characteristics presented can be supportive for determining final death circumstances and minimal trauma survival times but are not isolated usefully for the detection of drug- or trauma-induced hyperthermia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Franziska Rosinsky
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heiner Trauer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Jan Dreßler
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heike Franke
- Rudolf Boehm Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Xu J, Zhao R, Xue Y, Xiao H, Sheng Y, Zhao D, He J, Huang H, Wang Q, Wang H. RNA-seq profiling reveals differentially expressed genes as potential markers for vital reaction in skin contusion: a pilot study. Forensic Sci Res 2017; 3:153-160. [PMID: 30483664 PMCID: PMC6197083 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2017.1349639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Detection of the vitality of wounds is essential in forensic practice. The present study used Illumina RNA-seq technology to determine gene expression profiles in contused mouse skin. In obtained high quality sequencing reads, the reads were mapped onto a reference transcriptome (Mus_musculus.GRCm38.83). The results revealed that there were 659 up-regulated and 996 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in contused mouse skin. The DEGs were further analyzed using the Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases. Genes from different functional categories and signalling pathways were enriched, including the immune system process, immune response, defense response, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, complement and coagulation cascades and chemokine signalling pathway. Expression patterns of 11 DEGs were verified by RT-qPCR in mice skins. In addition, alterations of five DEGs were also analyzed in postmortem human wound samples. The results were in concordance with the results of RNA-seq. These findings suggest that RNA-seq is a powerful tool to reveal DEGs as potential markers for vital reaction in terms of forensic practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingtao Xu
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Mecicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Forensic Pathology, China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Xue
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Mecicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanqin Xiao
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanliang Sheng
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Dong Zhao
- CollaborativeInnovation Center of Judicial Civilization, China and Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jietao He
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Mecicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Huang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Mecicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Mecicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, School of Forensic Mecicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chandran R, Mehta SL, Vemuganti R. Non-coding RNAs and neuroprotection after acute CNS injuries. Neurochem Int 2017; 111:12-22. [PMID: 28131900 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that various classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in normal state as well as the diseases of the CNS. Interestingly, ncRNAs have been shown to interact with messenger RNA, DNA and proteins, and these interactions could induce epigenetic modifications and control transcription and translation, thereby adding a new layer of genomic regulation. The ncRNA expression profiles are known to be altered after acute CNS injuries including stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury that are major contributors of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hence, a better understanding of the functional significance of ncRNAs following CNS injuries could help in developing potential therapeutic strategies to minimize the neuronal damage in those conditions. The potential of ncRNAs in blood and CSF as biomarkers for diagnosis and/or prognosis of acute CNS injuries has also gained importance in the recent years. This review highlighted the current progress in the understanding of the role of ncRNAs in initiation and progression of secondary neuronal damage and their application as biomarkers after acute CNS injuries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raghavendar Chandran
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison and William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Suresh L Mehta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison and William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raghu Vemuganti
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison and William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
|
23
|
Yu S, Na JY, Lee YJ, Kim KT, Park JT, Kim HS. Forensic application of microRNA-706 as a biomarker for drowning pattern identification. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 255:96-101. [PMID: 26117501 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Forensic research using microRNA has been used so far only for the identification of body fluids, but its use in understanding biological processes in post-mortem pathology has not been studied before. Therefore, we performed experiments in mice to compare between freshwater and saltwater drowning models, and miRNA expression was analyzed in the brain through a forward bioinformatics screening approach. In this study, we identified eight specific microRNAs whose expression increased in freshwater and decreased in saltwater. Among them, miR-706 - targeting HCN1 - was identified as a potent biomarker for the drowning pattern identification. A higher expression of miR-706 was detected in the freshwater drowning compared to the control and saltwater drowning group (p<0.05, and p<0.01, respectively). HCN1 mRNA expression, a suggested candidate target for miR-706, was lower in the freshwater (p<0.01) than in the saltwater drowning group, and showed statistical difference between freshwater and saltwater drowning (p<0.01). miR-706 was specifically expressed in the hippocampal neurons as detected by in situ hybridization. Our data suggest that a specific microRNA may provide clues to understanding some crime scene investigations and pathobiological processes in the dead body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- SeonYoung Yu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Young Na
- Forensic Medicine Division, National Forensic Service, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jik Lee
- Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Department of Pathology, Saint Carollo Hospital, Sun-Cheon, Chonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Tae Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Tae Park
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Seok Kim
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|