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Biswal SR, Kumar A, Muthuswamy S, Kumar S. Genetic components of microdeletion syndromes and their role in determining schizophrenia traits. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:804. [PMID: 39001960 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09731-y] [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: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by various symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. The etiology of this disease is unknown; however, it has been linked to many microdeletion syndromes that are likely to contribute to the pathology of schizophrenia. In this review we have comprehensively analyzed the role of various microdeletion syndromes, like 3q29, 15q13.3, and 22q11.2, which are known to be involved with schizophrenia. A variety of factors lead to schizophrenia phenotypes, but copy number variants that disrupt gene regulation and impair brain function and cognition are one of the causes that have been identified. Multiple case studies have shown that loss of one or more genes in the microdeletion regions lead to brain activity defects. In this article, we present a coherent paradigm that connects copy number variations (CNVs) to numerous neurological and behavioral abnormalities associated with schizophrenia. It would be helpful in understanding the different aspects of the microdeletions and how they contribute in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smruti Rekha Biswal
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Srinivasan Muthuswamy
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India.
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India.
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Zhou B, Zhang Y, Dang X, Li B, Wang H, Gong S, Li S, Meng F, Xing J, Li T, He L, Zou P, Wan Y. Up-regulation of the human-specific CHRFAM7A gene protects against renal fibrosis in mice with obstructive nephropathy. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 27:52-65. [PMID: 36479618 PMCID: PMC9806291 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a major factor in the progression of chronic kidney diseases. Obstructive nephropathy is a common cause of renal fibrosis, which is also accompanied by inflammation. To explore the effect of human-specific CHRFAM7A expression, an inflammation-related gene, on renal fibrosis during obstructive nephropathy, we studied CHRFAM7A transgenic mice and wild type mice that underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) injury. Transgenic overexpression of CHRFAM7A gene inhibited UUO-induced renal fibrosis, which was demonstrated by decreased fibrotic gene expression and collagen deposition. Furthermore, kidneys from transgenic mice had reduced TGF-β1 and Smad2/3 expression following UUO compared with those from wild type mice with UUO. In addition, the overexpression of CHRFAM7A decreased release of inflammatory cytokines in the kidneys of UUO-injured mice. In vitro, the overexpression of CHRFAM7A inhibited TGF-β1-induced increase in expression of fibrosis-related genes in human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells). Additionally, up-regulated expression of CHRFAM7A in HK-2 cells decreased TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inhibited activation f TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signalling pathways. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that overexpression of the human-specific CHRFAM7A gene can reduce UUO-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signalling pathway to reduce inflammatory reactions and EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingru Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Yudian Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Xitong Dang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of EducationSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Shu Gong
- Science and Technology DivisionSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Siwen Li
- Department of Health Toxicology, Xiangya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Fanyin Meng
- Indiana Center for Liver Research, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA,Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical CenterIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Juan Xing
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Longfei He
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Ping Zou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
| | - Ying Wan
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical ScienceSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhouChina
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Di Lascio S, Fornasari D, Benfante R. The Human-Restricted Isoform of the α7 nAChR, CHRFAM7A: A Double-Edged Sword in Neurological and Inflammatory Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073463. [PMID: 35408823 PMCID: PMC8998457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CHRFAM7A is a relatively recent and exclusively human gene arising from the partial duplication of exons 5 to 10 of the α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (α7 nAChR) encoding gene, CHRNA7. CHRNA7 is related to several disorders that involve cognitive deficits, including neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders. In extra-neuronal tissues, α7nAChR plays an important role in proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion, cell contact, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression, as well as in the modulation of the inflammatory response through the “cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway”. CHRFAM7A translates the dupα7 protein in a multitude of cell lines and heterologous systems, while maintaining processing and trafficking that are very similar to the full-length form. It does not form functional ion channel receptors alone. In the presence of CHRNA7 gene products, dupα7 can assemble and form heteromeric receptors that, in order to be functional, should include at least two α7 subunits to form the agonist binding site. When incorporated into the receptor, in vitro and in vivo data showed that dupα7 negatively modulated α7 activity, probably due to a reduction in the number of ACh binding sites. Very recent data in the literature report that the presence of the duplicated gene may be responsible for the translational gap in several human diseases. Here, we will review the studies that have been conducted on CHRFAM7A in different pathologies, with the intent of providing evidence regarding when and how the expression of this duplicated gene may be beneficial or detrimental in the pathogenesis, and eventually in the therapeutic response, to CHRNA7-related neurological and non-neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
| | - Diego Fornasari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Roberta Benfante
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Li YY, Geng RJ, Yu SY, Li GJ, Wang ZY, Li HF. Association Study of Polymorphisms in Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit Genes With Schizophrenia in the Han Chinese Population. Psychiatry Investig 2021; 18:943-948. [PMID: 34555889 PMCID: PMC8542753 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2021.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relation between nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (nAChR) genes and schizophrenia, and the relation between tag single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513) and schizophrenia in Han Chinese people. METHODS The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network among nAChR protein and 350 proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes was constructed through the String database to explore whether nAChR genes were associated with schizophrenia in these known databases. Then, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CHRNA3 (rs1317286), CHRNA4 (rs1044396), CHRNA7 (rs6494212), and CHRNA5 (rs16969968, rs684513) were analyzed in a sample of 1,035 schizophrenic patients and 816 healthy controls. The interaction between the markers was analyzed using multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software. Power analysis was performed using the Quanto program. RESULTS There are no significant differences in genotype or allele distribution were identified between the patients and controls (p>0.05). The haplotypes constructed by four markers rs1317286, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513 were not associated with schizophrenia either. However, a significant association between models made of rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, and rs684513 and schizophrenia was revealed in interaction analysis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The nAChR protein may have effects on the development of schizophrenia through the interaction with proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes, but no relation was found between selected polymorphisms and schizophrenia in the collected Han Chinese people. However, interaction analysis suggested four-SNP model has an important effect on schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Li
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Jie Geng
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shun-Ying Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guan-Jun Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou-Ye Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua-Fang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Cao X, Wang Y, Gao L. CHRFAM7A Overexpression Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Inhibiting Microglia Pyroptosis Mediated by the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway. Inflammation 2021; 44:1023-1034. [PMID: 33405023 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-020-01398-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is an inflammation-related disease. CHRFAM7A can regulate inflammatory responses. Therefore, the present study investigated the mechanism of CHRFAM7A in cerebral I/R injury. CHRFAM7A expression and inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with cerebral I/R injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-treated microglia were detected. The proliferation, inflammatory cytokine expressions, nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) level, cell pyroptosis, and viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in OGD/R-treated microglia were detected after CHRFAM7A overexpression. The NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway was activated to assess the effect of CHRFAM7A on microglia. Expressions of microglial M1 phenotype marker iNOS and M2 marker Arg1 were detected. Downregulated CHRFAM7A and elevated inflammatory cytokine levels were observed in patients with cerebral I/R injury and OGD/R-treated microglia. In OGD/R-treated microglia, CHRFAM7A overexpression promoted cell proliferation and viability, reduced inflammation and LDH activity, and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and cell pyroptosis. Mechanically, CHRFAM7A inhibited microglia pyroptosis via inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway and reduced cell inflammatory injury via promoting microglia polarization from M1 to M2. Overall, CHRFAM7A overexpression attenuated cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting microglia pyroptosis in a NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway-dependent manner and promoting microglia polarization to M2 phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyuan Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 301 Yanchangzhong Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Yida Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 301 Yanchangzhong Road, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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Hippocampal subfield transcriptome analysis in schizophrenia psychosis. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2577-2589. [PMID: 32152472 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0696-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated functional and molecular changes in hippocampal subfields in individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) psychosis associated with hippocampal excitability. In this study, we use RNA-seq and assess global transcriptome changes in the hippocampal subfields, DG, CA3, and CA1 from individuals with SZ psychosis and controls to elucidate subfield-relevant molecular changes. We also examine changes in gene expression due to antipsychotic medication in the hippocampal subfields from our SZ ON- and OFF-antipsychotic medication cohort. We identify unique subfield-specific molecular profiles in schizophrenia postmortem samples compared with controls, implicating astrocytes in DG, immune mechanisms in CA3, and synaptic scaling in CA1. We show a unique pattern of subfield-specific effects by antipsychotic medication on gene expression levels with scant overlap of genes differentially expressed by SZ disease effect versus medication effect. These hippocampal subfield changes serve to confirm and extend our previous model of SZ and can explain the lack of full efficacy of conventional antipsychotic medication on SZ symptomatology. With future characterization using single-cell studies, the identified distinct molecular profiles of the DG, CA3, and CA1 in SZ psychosis may serve to identify further potential hippocampal-based therapeutic targets.
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Liu D, de Souza JV, Ahmad A, Bronowska AK. Structure, Dynamics, and Ligand Recognition of Human-Specific CHRFAM7A (Dupα7) Nicotinic Receptor Linked to Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5466. [PMID: 34067314 PMCID: PMC8196834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic α7 nicotinic receptors encoded by the CHRNA7 gene are ligand-gated ion channels directly related to memory and immunomodulation. Exons 5-7 in CHRNA7 can be duplicated and fused to exons A-E of FAR7a, resulting in a hybrid gene known as CHRFAM7A, unique to humans. Its product, denoted herein as Dupα7, is a truncated subunit where the N-terminal 146 residues of the ligand binding domain of the α7 receptor have been replaced by 27 residues from FAM7. Dupα7 negatively affects the functioning of α7 receptors associated with neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's diseases and schizophrenia. However, the stoichiometry for the α7 nicotinic receptor containing dupα7 monomers remains unknown. In this work, we developed computational models of all possible combinations of wild-type α7 and dupα7 pentamers and evaluated their stability via atomistic molecular dynamics and coarse-grain simulations. We assessed the effect of dupα7 subunits on the Ca2+ conductance using free energy calculations. We showed that receptors comprising of four or more dupα7 subunits are not stable enough to constitute a functional ion channel. We also showed that models with dupα7/α7 interfaces are more stable and are less detrimental for the ion conductance in comparison to dupα7/dupα7 interfaces. Based on these models, we used protein-protein docking to evaluate how such interfaces would interact with an antagonist, α-bungarotoxin, and amyloid Aβ42. Our findings show that the optimal stoichiometry of dupα7/α7 functional pentamers should be no more than three dupα7 monomers, in favour of a dupα7/α7 interface in comparison to a homodimer dupα7/dupα7 interface. We also showed that receptors bearing dupα7 subunits are less sensitive to Aβ42 effects, which may shed light on the translational gap reported for strategies focused on nicotinic receptors in 'Alzheimer's disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danlin Liu
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - João V. de Souza
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Ayaz Ahmad
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Agnieszka K. Bronowska
- Chemistry—School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK; (D.L.); (J.V.d.S.); (A.A.)
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK
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Martín-Sánchez C, Alés E, Balseiro-Gómez S, Atienza G, Arnalich F, Bordas A, Cedillo JL, Extremera M, Chávez-Reyes A, Montiel C. The human-specific duplicated α7 gene inhibits the ancestral α7, negatively regulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated transmitter release. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100341. [PMID: 33515545 PMCID: PMC7949125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene duplication generates new functions and traits, enabling evolution. Human-specific duplicated genes in particular are primary sources of innovation during our evolution although they have very few known functions. Here we examine the brain function of one of these genes (CHRFAM7A) and its product (dupα7 subunit). This gene results from a partial duplication of the ancestral CHRNA7 gene encoding the α7 subunit that forms the homopentameric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR). The functions of α7-nAChR in the brain are well defined, including the modulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity underlying normal attention, cognition, learning, and memory processes. However, the role of the dupα7 subunit remains unexplored at the neuronal level. Here, we characterize that role by combining immunoblotting, quantitative RT-PCR and FRET techniques with functional assays of α7-nAChR activity using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell variants with different dupα7 expression levels. Our findings reveal a physical interaction between dupα7 and α7 subunits in fluorescent protein-tagged dupα7/α7 transfected cells that negatively affects normal α7-nAChR activity. Specifically, in both single cells and cell populations, the [Ca2+]i signal and the exocytotic response induced by selective stimulation of α7-nAChR were either significantly inhibited by stable dupα7 overexpression or augmented after silencing dupα7 gene expression with specific siRNAs. These findings identify a new role for the dupα7 subunit as a negative regulator of α7-nAChR-mediated control of exocytotic neurotransmitter release. If this effect is excessive, it would result in an impaired synaptic transmission that could underlie the neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders associated with α7-nAChR dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Martín-Sánchez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical School, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Alés
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Medical School, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Santiago Balseiro-Gómez
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Medical School, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Gema Atienza
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical School, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Arnalich
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital La Paz-IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Bordas
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical School, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Cedillo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical School, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Extremera
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical School, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Montiel
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Medical School, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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Anderson G, Maes M. Mitochondria and immunity in chronic fatigue syndrome. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 103:109976. [PMID: 32470498 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the pathophysiology and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) could be considerably improved. The heterogeneity of ME/CFS and the confusion over its classification have undoubtedly contributed to this, although this would seem a consequence of the complexity of the array of ME/CFS presentations and high levels of diverse comorbidities. This article reviews the biological underpinnings of ME/CFS presentations, including the interacting roles of the gut microbiome/permeability, endogenous opioidergic system, immune cell mitochondria, autonomic nervous system, microRNA-155, viral infection/re-awakening and leptin as well as melatonin and the circadian rhythm. This details not only relevant pathophysiological processes and treatment options, but also highlights future research directions. Due to the complexity of interacting systems in ME/CFS pathophysiology, clarification as to its biological underpinnings is likely to considerably contribute to the understanding and treatment of other complex and poorly managed conditions, including fibromyalgia, depression, migraine, and dementia. The gut and immune cell mitochondria are proposed to be two important hubs that interact with the circadian rhythm in driving ME/CFS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Anderson
- CRC Scotland & London, Eccleston Square, London, UK.
| | - M Maes
- Dept Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Dept Psychiatry, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.; IMPACT Research Center, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Nielsen BE, Bermudez I, Bouzat C. Flavonoids as positive allosteric modulators of α7 nicotinic receptors. Neuropharmacology 2019; 160:107794. [PMID: 31560909 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The use of positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of α7 nicotinic receptors is a promising therapy for neurodegenerative, inflammatory and cognitive disorders. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds showing neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and pro-cognitive actions. Besides their well-known antioxidant activity, flavonoids trigger intracellular pathways and interact with receptors, including α7. To reveal how the beneficial actions of flavonoids are linked to α7 function, we evaluated the effects of three representative flavonoids -genistein, quercetin and the neoflavonoid 5,7-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin- on whole-cell and single-channel currents. All flavonoids increase the maximal currents elicited by acetylcholine with minimal effects on desensitization and do not reactivate desensitized receptors, a behaviour consistent with type I PAMs. At the single-channel level, they increase the duration of the open state and produce activation in long-duration episodes with a rank order of efficacy of genistein > quercetin ≥ neoflavonoid. By using mutant and chimeric α7 receptors, we demonstrated that flavonoids share transmembrane structural determinants with other PAMs. The α7-PAM activity of flavonoids results in decreased cell levels of reactive oxygen species. Thus, allosteric potentiation of α7 may be an additional mechanism underlying neuroprotective actions of flavonoids, which may be used as scaffolds for designing new therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Elizabeth Nielsen
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Isabel Bermudez
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent epidemiology, biological and clinical findings correlate high cigarette consumption in patients with schizophrenia, impeding both treatment strategies and the effectiveness of antipsychotics. RECENT FINDINGS New data suggests that despite world-wide efforts to curb cigarette consumption, smoking in patients with schizophrenia was still high. Recent reports could not confirm earlier findings regarding smoking's beneficial effects on cognitive dysfunction, however, the association between smoking, positive symptoms and suicidal behavior was revealed. As some patients smoked in an attempt to alleviate extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and negative symptoms, the molecular studies shared genetic roots correlating smoking and schizophrenia, revealing that smoking may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Preclinical and clinical studies clarified the complex relationship between schizophrenia's pathology and nicotine's effects on the human brain. SUMMARY Cigarette smoking continues to adversely affect the health of individuals with schizophrenia. Both smoking and heavy nicotine dependence, given the complex biological findings, might influence symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia. Regardless, ceasing smoking activities is strongly advocated to replace 'self-medication by nicotine' with safer and more effective medications.
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