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Wnuk A, Przepiórska K, Pietrzak BA, Kajta M. Emerging Evidence on Membrane Estrogen Receptors as Novel Therapeutic Targets for Central Nervous System Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044043. [PMID: 36835454 PMCID: PMC9968034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear- and membrane-initiated estrogen signaling cooperate to orchestrate the pleiotropic effects of estrogens. Classical estrogen receptors (ERs) act transcriptionally and govern the vast majority of hormonal effects, whereas membrane ERs (mERs) enable acute modulation of estrogenic signaling and have recently been shown to exert strong neuroprotective capacity without the negative side effects associated with nuclear ER activity. In recent years, GPER1 was the most extensively characterized mER. Despite triggering neuroprotective effects, cognitive improvements, and vascular protective effects and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, GPER1 has become the subject of controversy, particularly due to its participation in tumorigenesis. This is why interest has recently turned toward non-GPER-dependent mERs, namely, mERα and mERβ. According to available data, non-GPER-dependent mERs elicit protective effects against brain damage, synaptic plasticity impairment, memory and cognitive dysfunctions, metabolic imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. We postulate that these properties are emerging platforms for designing new therapeutics that may be used in the treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Since mERs have the ability to interfere with noncoding RNAs and to regulate the translational status of brain tissue by affecting histones, non-GPER-dependent mERs appear to be attractive targets for modern pharmacotherapy for nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wnuk
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (M.K.); Tel.: +48-12-662-3339 (A.W.); +48-12-662-3235 (M.K.); Fax: +48-12-637-4500 (A.W. & M.K.)
| | | | | | - Małgorzata Kajta
- Correspondence: (A.W.); (M.K.); Tel.: +48-12-662-3339 (A.W.); +48-12-662-3235 (M.K.); Fax: +48-12-637-4500 (A.W. & M.K.)
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Zheng W, Huang X, Wang J, Gao F, Chai Z, Zeng J, Li S, Yu C. The chronification mechanism of orofacial inflammatory pain: Facilitation by GPER1 and microglia in the rostral ventral medulla. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1078309. [PMID: 36683848 PMCID: PMC9853019 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1078309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic orofacial pain is a common and incompletely defined clinical condition. The role of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) as a new estrogen receptor in trunk and visceral pain regulation is well known. Here, we researched the role of GPER1 in the rostral ventral medulla (RVM) during chronic orofacial pain. Methods and Results A pain model was established where rats were injected in the temporomandibular joint with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to simulate chronic orofacial pain. Following this a behavioral test was performed to establish pain threshold and results showed that the rats injected with CFA had abnormal pain in the orofacial regions. Additional Immunostaining and blot analysis indicated that microglia were activated in the RVM and GPER1 and c-Fos were significantly upregulated in the rats. Conversely, when the rats were injected with G15 (a GPER1 inhibitor) the abnormal pain the CFA rats were experiencing was alleviated and microglia activation was prevented. In addition, we found that G15 downregulated the expression of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC), inhibited the expression of GluA1, restores aberrant synaptic plasticity and reduces the overexpression of the synapse-associated proteins PSD-95 and syb-2 in the RVM of CFA rats. Conclusion The findings indicate that GPER1 mediates chronic orofacial pain through modulation of the PLC-PKC signal pathway, sensitization of the RVM region and enhancement of neural plasticity. These results of this study therefore suggest that GPER1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for chronic orofacial pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Zheng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xilu Huang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Gao
- The Sixth People’s Hospital of Chongqing, Anesthesiology, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhaowu Chai
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sisi Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cong Yu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China,*Correspondence: Cong Yu, ✉
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Ronchetti S, Labombarda F, Roig P, De Nicola AF, Pietranera L. Beneficial effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on hippocampal impairments of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13228. [PMID: 36690381 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal neuropathology is a recognized feature of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). The hippocampal alterations associate with cognitive impairment. We have shown that hippocampal abnormalities are reversed by 17β-estradiol, a steroid binding to intracellular receptors (estrogen receptor α and β subtypes) or the membrane-located G-protein coupled estradiol receptor. Genistein (GEN) is a neuroprotective phytoestrogen which binds to estrogen receptor β and G-protein coupled estradiol receptor. Here, we investigated whether GEN neuroprotection extends to SHR. For this purpose, we treated 5-month-old SHR for 2 weeks with 10 mg kg-1 daily s.c injections of GEN. We analyzed the expression of doublecortin+ neuronal progenitors, glial fibrillary acidic protein+ astrocytes and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1+ microglia in the CA1 region and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus using immunocytochemistry, whereas a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α, cyclooxygenase-2 and transforming growth factor β. We also evaluated hippocampal dependent memory using the novel object recognition test. The results showed a decreased number of doublecortin+ neural progenitors in the dentate gyrus of SHR that was reversed with GEN. The number of glial fibrillary acidic protein+ astrocytes in the dentate gyrus and CA1 was increased in SHR but significantly decreased by GEN treatment. Additionally, GEN shifted microglial morphology from the predominantly activated phenotype present in SHR, to the more surveillance phenotype found in normotensive rats. Furthermore, treatment with GEN decreased the mRNA of the pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α and cyclooxygenase-2 and increased the mRNA of the anti-inflammatory factor transforming growth factor β. Discrimination index in the novel object recognition test was decreased in SHR and treatment with GEN increased this parameter. Our results indicate important neuroprotective effects of GEN at the neurochemical and behavioral level in SHR. Our data open an interesting possibility for proposing this phytoestrogen as an alternative therapy in hypertensive encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Ronchetti
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Labombarda
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paulina Roig
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Pietranera
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Involvement of the G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor-1 (GPER) Signaling Pathway in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Review. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022:10.1007/s10571-022-01301-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01301-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Noorjahan N, Cattini PA. Neurogenesis in the Maternal Rodent Brain: Impacts of Gestation-Related Hormonal Regulation, Stress, and Obesity. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:702-722. [PMID: 34510034 DOI: 10.1159/000519415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In order to maintain maternal behavior, it is important that the maternal rodent brain promotes neurogenesis. Maternal neurogenesis is altered by the dynamic shifts in reproductive hormone levels during pregnancy. Thus, lifestyle events such as gestational stress and obesity that can affect hormone production will affect neuroendocrine control of maternal neurogenesis. However, there is a lack of information about the regulation of maternal neurogenesis by placental hormones, which are key components of the reproductive hormonal profile during pregnancy. There is also little known about how maternal neurogenesis can be affected by health concerns such as gestational stress and obesity, and its relationship to peripartum mental health disorders. This review summarizes the changing levels of neurogenesis in mice and rats during gestation and postpartum as well as regulation of neurogenesis by pregnancy-related hormones. The influence of neurogenesis on maternal behavior is also discussed while bringing attention to the effect of health-related concerns during gestation, such as stress and obesity on neuroendocrine control of maternal neurogenesis. In doing so, this review identifies the gaps in the literature and specifically emphasizes the importance of further research on maternal brain physiology to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noshin Noorjahan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Peter A Cattini
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Wan L, Huang RJ, Luo ZH, Gong JE, Pan A, Manavis J, Yan XX, Xiao B. Reproduction-Associated Hormones and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:3651735. [PMID: 34539776 PMCID: PMC8448607 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3651735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The levels of reproduction-associated hormones in females, such as estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and oxytocin, change dramatically during pregnancy and postpartum. Reproduction-associated hormones can affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), thereby regulating mothers' behavior after delivery. In this review, we first briefly introduce the overall functional significance of AHN and the methods commonly used to explore this front. Then, we attempt to reconcile the changes of reproduction-associated hormones during pregnancy. We further update the findings on how reproduction-related hormones influence adult hippocampal neurogenesis. This review is aimed at emphasizing a potential role of AHN in reproduction-related brain plasticity and its neurobiological relevance to motherhood behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Wan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Rou-Jie Huang
- Medical Doctor Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Luo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Jiao-e Gong
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jim Manavis
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia 5000
| | - Xiao-Xin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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IGF1 Gene Therapy Reversed Cognitive Deficits and Restored Hippocampal Alterations After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:6186-6202. [PMID: 34463925 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02545-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus is implicated in the generation of memory and learning, processes which involve extensive neuroplasticity. The generation of hippocampal adult-born neurons is particularly regulated by glial cells of the neurogenic niche and the surrounding microenvironment. Interestingly, recent evidence has shown that spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodents leads to hippocampal neuroinflammation, neurogenesis reduction, and cognitive impairments. In this scenario, the aim of this work was to evaluate whether an adenoviral vector expressing IGF1 could reverse hippocampal alterations and cognitive deficits after chronic SCI. SCI caused neurogenesis reduction and impairments of both recognition and working memories. We also found that SCI increased the number of hypertrophic arginase-1 negative microglia concomitant with the decrease of the number of ramified surveillance microglia in the hilus, molecular layer, and subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. RAd-IGF1 treatment restored neurogenesis and improved recognition and working memory impairments. In addition, RAd-IGF1 gene therapy modulated differentially hippocampal regions. In the hilus and molecular layer, IGF1 gene therapy recovered the number of surveillance microglia coincident with a reduction of hypertrophic microglia cell number. However, in the neurogenic niche, IGF1 reduced the number of ramified microglia and increased the number of hypertrophic microglia, which as a whole expressed arginase-1. In summary, RAd-IGF1 gene therapy might surge as a new therapeutic strategy for patients with hippocampal microglial alterations and cognitive deficits such as those with spinal cord injury and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Yang S, Yin Z, Zhu G. A review of the functions of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 in vascular and neurological aging. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 908:174363. [PMID: 34297966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aging-related diseases, especially vascular and neurological disorders cause huge economic burden. How to delay vascular and neurological aging is one of the insurmountable questions. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) has been extensively investigated in recent years due to its multiple biological responses. In this review, the function of GPER in aging-related diseases represented by vascular diseases, and neurological disorders were discussed. Apart from that, activation of GPER was also found to renovate the aging brain characterized by memory decline, but in a manner different from another two nuclear estrogen receptors estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ. This salutary effect would be better clarified from the aspects of synaptic inputs and transmission. Furthermore, we carefully described molecular mechanisms underpinning GPER-mediated effects. This review would update our understanding of GPER in the aging process. Targeting GPER may represent a promising strategy in the aging-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Zhe Yin
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China
| | - Guoqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, 230038, China.
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Della Torre S. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as a Canonical Example of Metabolic Inflammatory-Based Liver Disease Showing a Sex-Specific Prevalence: Relevance of Estrogen Signaling. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:572490. [PMID: 33071979 PMCID: PMC7531579 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.572490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is extensive evidence supporting the interplay between metabolism and immune response, that have evolved in close relationship, sharing regulatory molecules and signaling systems, to support biological functions. Nowadays, the disruption of this interaction in the context of obesity and overnutrition underlies the increasing incidence of many inflammatory-based metabolic diseases, even in a sex-specific fashion. During evolution, the interplay between metabolism and reproduction has reached a degree of complexity particularly high in female mammals, likely to ensure reproduction only under favorable conditions. Several factors may account for differences in the incidence and progression of inflammatory-based metabolic diseases between females and males, thus contributing to age-related disease development and difference in life expectancy between the two sexes. Among these factors, estrogens, acting mainly through Estrogen Receptors (ERs), have been reported to regulate several metabolic pathways and inflammatory processes particularly in the liver, the metabolic organ showing the highest degree of sexual dimorphism. This review aims to investigate on the interaction between metabolism and inflammation in the liver, focusing on the relevance of estrogen signaling in counteracting the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a canonical example of metabolic inflammatory-based liver disease showing a sex-specific prevalence. Understanding the role of estrogens/ERs in the regulation of hepatic metabolism and inflammation may provide the basis for the development of sex-specific therapeutic strategies for the management of such an inflammatory-based metabolic disease and its cardio-metabolic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Della Torre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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