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Zheng B, Zheng Y, Hu W, Chen Z. Dissecting the networks underlying diverse brain disorders after prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1975-1990. [PMID: 38581585 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03733-2] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
New human life begins in the uterus in a period of both extreme plasticity and sensitivity to environmental disturbances. The fetal stage is also a vital period for central nervous system development, with experiences at this point profoundly and permanently shaping brain structure and function. As such, some brain disorders may originate in utero. Glucocorticoids, a class of essential stress hormones, play indispensable roles in fetal development, but overexposure may have lasting impacts on the brain. In this review, we summarize data from recent clinical and non-clinical studies regarding alterations in fetal brains due to prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure that are associated with nervous system disorders. We discuss relevant changes to brain structure and cellular functions and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. In addition, we summarize factors that may cause differential outcomes between varying brain regions, and outline clinically feasible intervention strategies that are expected to minimize negative consequences arising from fetal glucocorticoid overexposure. Finally, we highlight the need for experimental evidence aided by new technologies to clearly determine the effects of excessive prenatal glucocorticoid exposure. This review consolidates diverse findings to help researchers better understand the relationship between the prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure and the effects it has on various fetal brain regions, promoting further development of critical intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baixiu Zheng
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yanrong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Weiwei Hu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Zhong Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Lu M, Dai S, Dai G, Wang T, Zhang S, Wei L, Luo M, Zhou X, Wang H, Xu D. Dexamethasone induces developmental axon damage in the offspring hippocampus by activating miR-210-3p/miR-362-5p to target the aberrant expression of Sonic Hedgehog. Biochem Pharmacol 2024:116330. [PMID: 38815627 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116330] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Given the extensive application of dexamethasone in both clinical settings and the livestock industry, human exposure to this drug can occur through various sources and pathways. Prior research has indicated that prenatal exposure to dexamethasone (PDE) heightens the risk of cognitive and emotional disorders in offspring. Axonal development impairment is a frequent pathological underpinning for neuronal dysfunction in these disorders, yet it remains unclear if it plays a role in the neural damage induced by PDE in the offspring. Through RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis, we found that various signaling pathways related to nervous system development, including axonal development, were altered in the hippocampus of PDE offspring. Among them, the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway was the most significantly altered and crucial for axonal development. By using miRNA-seq and targeting miRNAs and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, we identified miR-210-3p and miR-362-5p, which can target and suppress SHH expression. Their abnormal high expression was associated with GR activation in PDE fetal rats. Further testing of PDE offspring rats and infant peripheral blood samples exposed to dexamethasone in utero showed that SHH expression was significantly decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and was positively correlated with SHH expression in the hippocampus and the expression of the axonal development marker growth-associated protein-43. In summary, PDE-induced hippocampal GR-miR-210-3p/miR-362-5p-SHH signaling axis changes lead to axonal developmental damage. SHH expression in PBMCs may reflect axonal developmental damage in PDE offspring and could serve as a warning marker for fetal axonal developmental damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Lu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shiyun Dai
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Cardiovascular Medications, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Gaole Dai
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liyi Wei
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Mingcui Luo
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
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3
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Kaurani L. Clinical Insights into MicroRNAs in Depression: Bridging Molecular Discoveries and Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2866. [PMID: 38474112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052866] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. The discovery of biomarkers for diagnosis or prediction of treatment responses and as therapeutic agents is a current priority. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of short RNA molecules in the etiology of depression. The most extensively researched of these are microRNAs, a major component of cellular gene regulation and function. MicroRNAs function in a temporal and tissue-specific manner to regulate and modify the post-transcriptional expression of target mRNAs. They can also be shuttled as cargo of extracellular vesicles between the brain and the blood, thus informing about relevant mechanisms in the CNS through the periphery. In fact, studies have already shown that microRNAs identified peripherally are dysregulated in the pathological phenotypes seen in depression. Our article aims to review the existing evidence on microRNA dysregulation in depression and to summarize and evaluate the growing body of evidence for the use of microRNAs as a target for diagnostics and RNA-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalit Kaurani
- Department for Epigenetics and Systems Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Lu X, Chen B, Xu D, Hu W, Wang X, Dai Y, Wang Q, Peng Y, Chen K, Zhao D, Wang H. Epigenetic programming mediates abnormal gut microbiota and disease susceptibility in offspring with prenatal dexamethasone exposure. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101398. [PMID: 38301654 PMCID: PMC10897547 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) can lead to increased susceptibility to various diseases in adult offspring, but its effect on gut microbiota composition and the relationship with disease susceptibility remains unclear. In this study, we find sex-differential changes in the gut microbiota of 6-month-old infants with prenatal dexamethasone therapy (PDT) that persisted in female infants up to 2.5 years of age with altered bile acid metabolism. PDE female offspring rats show abnormal colonization and composition of gut microbiota and increased susceptibility to cholestatic liver injury. The aberrant gut microbiota colonization in the PDE offspring can be attributed to the inhibited Muc2 expression caused by decreased CDX2 expression before and after birth. Integrating animal and cell experiments, we further confirm that dexamethasone could inhibit Muc2 expression by activating GR/HDAC11 signaling and regulating CDX2 epigenetic modification. This study interprets abnormal gut microbiota and disease susceptibility in PDT offspring from intrauterine intestinal dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Beidi Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wen Hu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Digital Health, and Data Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yongguo Dai
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Kaiqi Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dongchi Zhao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Pediatrics, Children's Digital Health, and Data Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Wei L, Wang T, Luo M, Zhang S, Lu M, Zhou X, Cheng X, Wang H, Xu D. A "toxic window" study on the hippocampal development of mice offspring exposed to azithromycin at different doses, courses, and time during pregnancy. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 387:110814. [PMID: 37995777 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azithromycin, one of the new-generation macrolides, is an effective medicine for the treatment of mycoplasma infection during pregnancy. Epidemiological studies have reported adverse pregnancy outcomes with prenatal azithromycin exposure (PAzE). However, the effect of PAzE on fetal hippocampal development is unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects and potential mechanism of PAzE-induced fetal hippocampal development at different doses, courses, and time. METHOD Pregnant mice were administered azithromycin by gavage at different doses (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg.d), different courses (gestational day (GD)15-17 for three consecutive days, or GD17 once a day) and different time (GD10-12, GD15-17). RESULTS Compared with the control group, morphological development damage of the fetal hippocampus was observed in the PAzE group, with a dysbalance in neuronal proliferation and apoptosis, decreased expression of the neuronal-specific marker Snap25, NeuN, PSD95 and Map2, increased expression of the glial-specific marker Iba1, GFAP, and S-100β, and decreased expression of P2ry12. The PAzE-induced hippocampal developmental deficiency varied based on different doses, courses, and time, and the developmental toxicity was most significant in the late pregnancy, high dose, multi-course group (AZHT). The significant reduction of SOX2 and Wnt, which were related to regulation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) proliferation in PAzE fetus compared with the control group indicated that the SOX2/Wnt signaling may be involved in PAzE-induced hippocampal developmental toxicity. CONCLUSION In this study, PAzE was associated with hippocampal developmental toxicity in a variety of nerve cells. Hippocampal developmental toxicity due to azithromycin was most significant in the late pregnancy, high-dose (equivalent to maximum clinical dose) and multi-course group (AZHT). The findings provide an experimental and theoretical foundation for guiding the sensible use of medications during pregnancy and effectively assessing the risk of fetal hippocampal developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyi Wei
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Mingcui Luo
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Mengxi Lu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xuelei Cheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Liu M, Fan G, Liu H. Integrated bioinformatics and network pharmacology identifying the mechanisms and molecular targets of Guipi Decoction for treatment of comorbidity with depression and gastrointestinal disorders. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 39:183-197. [PMID: 37847347 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01308-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guipi decoction (GPD) not only improves gastrointestinal (GI) function, but also depressive mood. The bioinformatics study aimed to reveal potential crosstalk genes and related pathways between depression and GI disorders. A network pharmacology approach was used to explore the molecular mechanisms and potential targets of GPD for the simultaneous treatment of depression comorbid GI disorders. METHODS Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of major depressive disorder (MDD) were identified based on GSE98793 and GSE19738, and GI disorders-related genes were screened from the GeneCards database. Overlapping genes between MDD and GI disorders were obtained to identify potential crosstalk genes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen for hub genes, signature genes were identified by LASSO regression analysis, and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was performed to analyze immune cell infiltration. In addition, based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, we screened the active ingredients and targets of GPD and identified the intersection targets of GPD with MDD and GI disorder-related genes, respectively. A "component-target" network was constructed using Cytoscape, the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed. RESULTS The MDD-corrected dataset contained 2619 DEGs, and a total of 109 crosstalk genes were obtained. 14 hub genes were screened, namely SOX2, CRP, ACE, LEP, SHH, CDH2, CD34, TNF, EGF, BDNF, FN1, IL10, PPARG, and KIT. These genes were identified by LASSO regression analysis for 3 signature genes, including TNF, EGF, and IL10. Gamma.delta.T.cell was significantly positively correlated with all three signature genes, while Central.memory.CD4.T.cell and Central.memory.CD8.T.cell were significantly negatively correlated with EGF and TNF. GPD contained 134 active ingredients and 248 targets, with 41 and 87 relevant targets for the treatment of depression and GI disorders, respectively. EGF, PPARG, IL10 and CRP overlap with the hub genes of the disease. CONCLUSION We found that GPD may regulate inflammatory and oxidative stress responses through EGF, PPARG, IL10 and CRP targets, and then be involved in the treatment of both depression and GI disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglin Liu
- Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Genhao Fan
- Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Huayi Liu
- Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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Xie L, Qin J, Wang T, Zhang S, Luo M, Cheng X, Cao X, Wang H, Yao B, Xu D, Peng B. Impact of Prenatal Acetaminophen Exposure for Hippocampal Development Disorder on Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6916-6930. [PMID: 37516664 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03515-4] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used as analgesic agents. They have been detected in various environmental matrices. The degradation of environmental contaminants and the long-term adverse effects have become a major public concern. Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen can cause damage to the developing hippocampus. However, the molecular mechanisms behind hippocampal damage following prenatal acetaminophen exposure (PAcE) remain unclear. The present study shows an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring following exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy on mice. The results revealed that different doses, timings, and duration of exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy were associated with dose-dependent changes in the hippocampus of the offspring. Furthermore, exposure to high doses, multiple-treatment courses, and late pregnancy induced pathological changes, such as wrinkling and vacuolation, inhibited hippocampal proliferation and increased apoptosis. In addition, PAcE significantly decreased the expression of genes related to synaptic development in fetal hippocampal neurons and hippocampal astrocyte and microglia were also damaged to varying degrees. The significant reduction either in SOX2, an essential gene in regulating neural progenitor cell proliferation, and reduction of genes related to the SOX2/Notch pathway may suggest that the role of SOX2/Notch pathway in impaired hippocampal development in the offspring due to PAcE. In general, PAcE at high doses, multiple-treatment courses, and mid- and late gestation were associated with neurodevelopmental toxicity to the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Mingcui Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Xuelei Cheng
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Xinrui Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Baozhen Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China.
| | - Dan Xu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Biwen Peng
- Department of Physiology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China.
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Musazzi L, Mingardi J, Ieraci A, Barbon A, Popoli M. Stress, microRNAs, and stress-related psychiatric disorders: an overview. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4977-4994. [PMID: 37391530 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders. During and after exposure to stressors, the stress response may have pro- or maladaptive consequences, depending on several factors related to the individual response and nature of the stressor. However, the mechanisms mediating the long-term effects of exposure to stress, which may ultimately lead to the development of stress-related disorders, are still largely unknown. Epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to mediate the effects of the environment on brain gene expression and behavior. MicroRNAs, small non-coding RNAs estimated to control the expression of about 60% of all genes by post-transcriptional regulation, are a fundamental epigenetic mechanism. Many microRNAs are expressed in the brain, where they work as fine-tuners of gene expression, with a key role in the regulation of homeostatic balance, and a likely influence on pro- or maladaptive brain changes. Here we have selected a number of microRNAs, which have been strongly implicated as mediators of the effects of stress in the brain and in the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders. For all of them recent evidence is reported, obtained from rodent stress models, manipulation of microRNAs levels with related behavioral changes, and clinical studies of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Moreover, we have performed a bioinformatic analysis of the predicted brain-expressed target genes of the microRNAs discussed, and found a central role for mechanisms involved in the regulation of synaptic function. The complex regulatory role of microRNAs has suggested their use as biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response, as well as possible therapeutic drugs. While, microRNA-based diagnostics have registered advancements, particularly in oncology and other fields, and many biotech companies have launched miRNA therapeutics in their development pipeline, the development of microRNA-based tests and drugs for brain disorders is comparatively slower.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Musazzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Jessica Mingardi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ieraci
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
- Molecular Pharmacology, Cellular and Behavioral Physiology; Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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9
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Xu Y, Kang X, Jiang H, Liu H, Wang W. HDAC4 regulates the proliferation, migration, and invasion of trophoblasts in pre-eclampsia through the miR-134-5p/FOXM1 axis. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:849-860. [PMID: 37769062 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics, including histone modifications and noncoding RNAs, affects abnormal placental function in pre-eclampsia (PE). This study was conducted to explore the role of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) in trophoblast invasion and migration. The expression levels of HDAC4, microRNA (miR)-134-5p, and forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) in placentas from PE patients and healthy controls and their correlations were examined. HTR8/SVneo cells were cultured and underwent gene intervention. Then, trophoblast proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated by 5-ethynyl-2'deoxyuridine, Transwell, and scratch assays. The enrichments of HDAC4 and acetylated histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9Ac) on the miR-134-5p promoter were quantified by chromatin immunoprecipitation. The binding of miR-134-5p to FOXM1 was analyzed by dual-luciferase assay. HDAC4 and FOXM1 were downregulated while miR-134-5p was upregulated in PE placentas. HDAC4 downregulation impaired trophoblast proliferation, invasion, and migration while HDAC4 overexpression played the opposite role. Mechanically, HDAC4 deacetylated H3K9Ac to repress miR-134-5p expression by erasing H3K9Ac, reduced the binding of miR-134-5p to FOXM1, and then promoted FOXM1 transcription. miR-134-5p overexpression or FOXM1 downregulation abrogated the promotive role of HDAC overexpression in trophoblast invasion and migration. Our study unraveled a novel mechanism of trophoblast proliferation, invasion, and migration and proposed that HDAC4 may be a promising target for the treatment of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodi Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongli Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huafang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Xiao H, Wu Z, Jiang T, Zhu J, Zhou S, Xie X, Wang H, Chen L. Inhibition of miR-6215 rescued low subchondral bone mass caused by maternal exposure to dexamethasone in female offspring rats. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115722. [PMID: 37524209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Osteoporotic osteoarthritis is primarily associated with low subchondral bone mass. However, the mechanisms and therapeutic targets of osteoporotic osteoarthritis caused by prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) in offspring remain unclear. In this study, pregnant Wistar rats were injected with dexamethasone to obtain bone tissue from fetal and postnatal rat offspring for analysis. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated in vitro to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. We determined in vivo that PDE reduced subchondral bone mass in adult female rat offspring, which originated from dysplasia of the subchondral bone. PDE led to a continuous increase in miR-6215 expression, accompanied by a decrease in FERM domain-containing protein 6 (FRMD6) expression. In vitro, dexamethasone upregulated miR-6215 expression through the glucocorticoid receptor, thereby inhibiting FRMD6 expression, promoting the translocation of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) into the nucleus of BMSCs, and downregulating downstream osteogenic marker genes. Finally, the rAAV-miR-6215 inhibitor rescued the low subchondral bone mass and osteoarthritis susceptibility caused by PDE in rat offspring. In conclusion, increased expression of miR-6215 mediates low subchondral bone mass caused by PDE through FRMD6/YAP1 signaling. Therefore, miR-6215 is a promising therapeutic target for PDE-induced low subchondral bone mass in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xiao
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Zhixin Wu
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jiayong Zhu
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Siqi Zhou
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xingkui Xie
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
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11
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Yuan M, Yang B, Rothschild G, Mann JJ, Sanford LD, Tang X, Huang C, Wang C, Zhang W. Epigenetic regulation in major depression and other stress-related disorders: molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance and therapeutic potential. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:309. [PMID: 37644009 PMCID: PMC10465587 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, generally episodic and debilitating disease that affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The heritability estimate of MDD is 30-40%, suggesting that genetics alone do not account for most of the risk of major depression. Another factor known to associate with MDD involves environmental stressors such as childhood adversity and recent life stress. Recent studies have emerged to show that the biological impact of environmental factors in MDD and other stress-related disorders is mediated by a variety of epigenetic modifications. These epigenetic modification alterations contribute to abnormal neuroendocrine responses, neuroplasticity impairment, neurotransmission and neuroglia dysfunction, which are involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. Furthermore, epigenetic marks have been associated with the diagnosis and treatment of MDD. The evaluation of epigenetic modifications holds promise for further understanding of the heterogeneous etiology and complex phenotypes of MDD, and may identify new therapeutic targets. Here, we review preclinical and clinical epigenetic findings, including DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNA, RNA modification, and chromatin remodeling factor in MDD. In addition, we elaborate on the contribution of these epigenetic mechanisms to the pathological trait variability in depression and discuss how such mechanisms can be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minlan Yuan
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Gerson Rothschild
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology in School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Medical Big Data Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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12
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Yu X, Wang S, Wu W, Chang H, Shan P, Yang L, Zhang W, Wang X. Exploring New Mechanism of Depression from the Effects of Virus on Nerve Cells. Cells 2023; 12:1767. [PMID: 37443801 PMCID: PMC10340315 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder with long-term recurrent depressed mood, pain and despair, pessimism and anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies as the main symptoms. Depression usually induces or aggravates the development of other related diseases, such as sleep disorders and endocrine disorders. In today's society, the incidence of depression is increasing worldwide, and its pathogenesis is complex and generally believed to be related to genetic, psychological, environmental, and biological factors. Current studies have shown the key role of glial cells in the development of depression, and it is noteworthy that some recent evidence suggests that the development of depression may be closely related to viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2, BoDV-1, ZIKV, HIV, and HHV6, which infect the organism and cause some degree of glial cells, such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. This can affect the transmission of related proteins, neurotransmitters, and cytokines, which in turn leads to neuroinflammation and depression. Based on the close relationship between viruses and depression, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of the new mechanism of virus-induced depression, which is expected to provide a new perspective on the mechanism of depression and a new idea for the diagnosis of depression in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; (X.Y.); (W.W.)
| | - Shihao Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; (S.W.); (H.C.); (W.Z.)
| | - Wenzheng Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; (X.Y.); (W.W.)
| | - Hongyuan Chang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; (S.W.); (H.C.); (W.Z.)
| | - Pufan Shan
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China;
| | - Lin Yang
- College of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China;
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; (S.W.); (H.C.); (W.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; (X.Y.); (W.W.)
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13
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Qin J, Yao B, Xie L, Wang T, Zhang S, Luo M, Wang H, Xu D, Peng B. Impact of prenatal amoxicillin exposure on hippocampal development deficiency. Neuropharmacology 2023; 223:109331. [PMID: 36396078 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amoxicillin has been widely used to treat infectious diseases during pregnancy. Current studies suggest that amoxicillin exposure during pregnancy could lead to developmental disorders in the offspring and increase the incidence of long-term complications such as asthma and kidney damage in adulthood. However, the adverse effects of prenatal amoxicillin exposure (PAmE) including administration stage, doses and courses on fetal hippocampal neurodevelopment and its function in the offspring have not been elucidated. In this study, we intend to investigate the effects of PAmE on fetal hippocampal development and its possible mechanisms. METHOD Pregnant Kunming mice were given intragastric administration with amoxicillin at different administration stage, doses and courses, and GD (gestational day) 18 offspring hippocampus was collected for morphological and development-related functional assays, and the molecular mechanisms were explored. RESULTS PAmE induced hippocampal hypoplasia in the offspring with suppressed hippocampal neuronal cell proliferation and impaired neuronal synaptic plasticity comparatively; hippocampal astrocyte and microglia were damaged to varying degrees. The developmental toxicity of PAmE in fetal mices varies by time, dose, and course of treatment. The most severe damage was observed in the late gestation, high dose, and multi-course dosing groups. The significant reduction either in SOX2, an essential gene in regulating neural progenitor cell proliferation, and reduction of genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may suggest that the key role of SOX2/Wnt/β-catenin pathway in impaired hippocampal development in the offspring due to PAmE. CONCLUSION In this study, PAmE was found to be developmentally toxic to the hippocampus thus to induce developmental damage to various hippocampal cells; Even with current clinically safe doses, potential hippocampal damage to offspring may still present; This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for guiding the rational usage of drugs during pregnancy and giving effectively assessment of the risk on fetal hippocampal developmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Baozhen Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Lulu Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingcui Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China; Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Biwen Peng
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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14
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Lu Z, Guo Y, Xu D, Xiao H, Dai Y, Liu K, Chen L, Wang H. Developmental toxicity and programming alterations of multiple organs in offspring induced by medication during pregnancy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:460-477. [PMID: 36873163 PMCID: PMC9978644 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Medication during pregnancy is widespread, but there are few reports on its fetal safety. Recent studies suggest that medication during pregnancy can affect fetal morphological and functional development through multiple pathways, multiple organs, and multiple targets. Its mechanisms involve direct ways such as oxidative stress, epigenetic modification, and metabolic activation, and it may also be indirectly caused by placental dysfunction. Further studies have found that medication during pregnancy may also indirectly lead to multi-organ developmental programming, functional homeostasis changes, and susceptibility to related diseases in offspring by inducing fetal intrauterine exposure to too high or too low levels of maternal-derived glucocorticoids. The organ developmental toxicity and programming alterations caused by medication during pregnancy may also have gender differences and multi-generational genetic effects mediated by abnormal epigenetic modification. Combined with the latest research results of our laboratory, this paper reviews the latest research progress on the developmental toxicity and functional programming alterations of multiple organs in offspring induced by medication during pregnancy, which can provide a theoretical and experimental basis for rational medication during pregnancy and effective prevention and treatment of drug-related multiple fetal-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjie Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan 430071, China.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hao Xiao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yongguo Dai
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Kexin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan 430071, China
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15
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Wu Z, Wen Y, Xiao H, Zhu J, Li B, Shangguan Y, He H, Wang H, Chen L. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2: A key mediator of high susceptibility to osteoporosis in offspring after prenatal dexamethasone exposure. Pharmacol Res 2022; 175:105990. [PMID: 34808367 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological investigations have shown that individuals treated with dexamethasone during pregnancy have an increased risk of osteoporosis after birth. Our studies reported that peak bone mass was decreased in the prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) offspring before chronic stress, while further decrease was observed after chronic stress. Simultaneously, increase of bone local active corticosterone was observed in the PDE offspring, while further increase was also observed after chronic stress. Moreover, the histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) level of 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) and its expression in bone tissue of PDE offspring rats remained lower than the control before and after birth. Injection of 11β-HSD2 overexpression lentivirus into the bone marrow cavity could partially alleviate the accumulation of bone local active corticosterone and bone loss induced by PDE. In vitro, dexamethasone inhibited the expression of 11β-HSD2 and aggravated the inhibitory effect of corticosterone on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Overexpression of 11β-HSD2 partially alleviated the inhibitory effect of corticosterone. Moreover, dexamethasone promoted the nuclear translocation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which resulted in the stimulation of 11β-HSD2 expression due to the binding of GR to the 11β-HSD2 promoter region directly, as well as increasing H3K9ac level in the 11β-HSD2 promoter region by recruiting histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11). Our results indicated that low expression of 11β-HSD2 in bone tissue is an important mediator for the high susceptibility to osteoporosis in PDE adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Wu
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Yinxian Wen
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hao Xiao
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jiayong Zhu
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Bin Li
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yangfan Shangguan
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hangyuan He
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical Science of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China; Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
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16
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Chen Y, Xu D, Xia X, Chen G, Xiao H, Chen L, Wang H. Sex difference in adrenal developmental toxicity induced by dexamethasone and its intrauterine programming mechanism. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105942. [PMID: 34656764 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dexamethasone is widely used to treat preterm labor and related diseases. However, prenatal dexamethasone treatment (PDT) can cause multiorgan developmental toxicities in offspring. Our previous study found that the occurrence of fetal-originated diseases was associated with adrenal developmental programming alterations in offspring. Here, we investigated the effects of PDT on adrenal function in offspring and its intrauterine programming mechanism. A rat model of PDT was established to observe the alterations of adrenal steroidogenesis in offspring. Furthermore, we confirmed the sex differences of adrenal steroidogenesis and its molecular mechanism combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments. PDT caused a decrease in adrenal steroidogenic function in fetal rats, but it was decreased in males and increased in females after birth. Meanwhile, the adrenal H3K14ac level and expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) in PDT offspring were decreased in males and increased in females, suggesting that 11β-HSD2 might mediate sex differences in adrenal function. We further confirmed that dexamethasone inhibited the H3K14ac level and expression of 11β-HSD2 through the GR/SP1/p300 pathway. After bilateral testectomy or ovariectomy of adult PDT offspring rats, adrenal 11β-HSD2 expression and steroidogenic function were both reduced. Using rat primary fetal adrenal cells, the differential expression of AR and ERβ was proven to be involved in regulating the sex difference in 11β-HSD2 expression. This study demonstrated the sex difference in adrenal steroidogenic function of PDT offspring after birth and elucidated a sex hormone receptor-dependent epigenetically regulating mechanism for adrenal 11β-HSD2 programming alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xuan Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Guanghui Chen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hao Xiao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
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17
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Ortega MA, Alvarez-Mon MA, García-Montero C, Fraile-Martinez O, Lahera G, Monserrat J, Muñoz-Merida L, Mora F, Rodríguez-Jiménez R, Fernandez-Rojo S, Quintero J, Álvarez-Mon M. MicroRNAs as Critical Biomarkers of Major Depressive Disorder: A Comprehensive Perspective. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111659. [PMID: 34829888 PMCID: PMC8615526 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents a major global health concern, a body-mind malady of rising prevalence worldwide nowadays. The complex network of mechanisms involved in MDD pathophysiology is subjected to epigenetic changes modulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). Serum free or vesicles loaded miRNAs have starred numerous publications, denoting a key role in cell-cell communication, systematically and in brain structure and neuronal morphogenesis, activity and plasticity. Upregulated or downregulated expression of these signaling molecules may imply the impairment of genes implicated in pathways of MDD etiopathogenesis (neuroinflammation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotransmitters, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, oxidative stress, circadian rhythms...). In addition, these miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value, allowing to classify severity of the disease or to make decisions in clinical management. They have been considered as promising therapy targets as well and may interfere with available antidepressant treatments. As epigenetic malleable regulators, we also conclude emphasizing lifestyle interventions with physical activity, mindfulness and diet, opening the door to new clinical management considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
| | - Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Cielo García-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Lahera
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Psychiatry Service, Center for Biomedical Research in the Mental Health Network, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Jorge Monserrat
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Muñoz-Merida
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
| | - Fernando Mora
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Roberto Rodríguez-Jiménez
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Institute for Health Research Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas 12), CIBERSAM, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Fernandez-Rojo
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Javier Quintero
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Melchor Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology, Oncology Service an Internal Medicine, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, (CIBEREHD), 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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18
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Zhao M, Yao Y, Du J, Kong L, Zhao T, Wu D, Man L, Zhou W. 6-Gingerol Alleviates Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Cerebral and White Matter Injury and Contributes to Functional Recovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:707772. [PMID: 34630084 PMCID: PMC8492979 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.707772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one main cause of neonatal death and disability, causing substantial injury to white and gray matter, which can lead to severe neurobehavioral dysfunction, including intellectual disability and dyskinesia. Inflammation, nerve cell death, and white matter injury are important factors in the pathological process of HIE. 6-Gingerol is a ginger extract, which reduces inflammatory response and cell death. However, the role of 6-Gingerol in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) remains unknown. In this study, we constructed a mouse HIBI model and analyzed the protective effect of 6-Gingerol on HIBI by using behavioral tests, histological staining, qPCR and western blot. Here, we found that 6-Gingerol treatment could alleviate HIBI and improve short-term reflex performance, which is closely related to cell death and neuroinflammation. Additionally, 6-Gingerol reduced neuronal apoptosis, pro-inflammatory factor release, as well as microglial activation. Furthermore, 6-Gingerol significantly improved motor disability, which is associated with white matter damage. Thus, our results showed that 6-Gingerol could reduce the loss of myelin sheaths, alleviate cell death of oligodendrocytes, and stimulate the maturation of oligodendrocytes. In terms of mechanism, we found that 6-Gingerol decreased histone H3K27me3 levels, activated AKT pathway and inhibited the activation of ERK and NF-κB pathway at 3 days post-HIBI. Taken together, our data clearly indicate that 6-Gingerol plays a neuroprotective role against HIBI by epigenetic modification and regulation of AKT, ERK, and NF-κB pathways, inhibiting inflammatory responses and reducing cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Centre for Sports and Exercise Science, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jingyi Du
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Liang Kong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Tiantian Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong Wu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lajie Man
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Guo H, Deji C, Peng H, Zhang J, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y. The role of SIRT1 in the basolateral amygdala in depression-like behaviors in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 20:e12765. [PMID: 34355499 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Previous investigations have implicated the basolateral amygdala (BLA) epigenetic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of depression. SIRT1 is a NAD+-dependent class III histone deacetylase, widely expresses in BLA. However, epigenetic mechanisms in the BLA under the regulation of SIRT1 in the depression are largely uncharacterized. Under the chronic unpredictable chronic mild stress (CUMS) mouse model, we used adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) that encoded SIRT1-shRNA or SIRT1 to specifically knockdown or overexpress SIRT1 in BLA neurons, respectively. CUMS procedure induced significant depression symptoms including the decreased sucrose preference, the less bodyweight gained, the decreased immobile latency and the increased immobile time both in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Knockdown of SIRT1 in BLA glutamatergic neurons reversed these depression-like behaviors and restored the synaptic abnormalities. Overexpression of SIRT1 in BLA glutamatergic neurons induced depression-like behaviors in non-stressed control mice. The result of protein expressions and ultrastructural changes were consistent with the behavioral results. Our study suggested that downregulation of SIRT1 in BLA has certain beneficial effect on CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors such as anorexia, anhedonia, hopelessness and despair. In addition, the increased expression of SIRT1 may be the immediate cause of depressive-like symptoms. The abnormal expression of SIRT1 may affect the transcriptional regulation mechanism and signaling protein acetylation, affecting neuroplasticity and ultimately contribute to MDD. In the stress-susceptible mice, these two mechanisms may co-exist, but the specific mechanism needs further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Guo
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China.,School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Cuola Deji
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
| | - Han Peng
- School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yulei Zhang
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
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