Polymorphisms in ABLIM1 are associated with personality traits and alcohol dependence

miR-2467-3p/ABLIM1 Axis Mediates the Formation and Progression of Deep Vein Thrombosis by Regulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common postoperative complication of orthopaedic surgery with a complex pathogenesis mechanism. The effect of the miR-2467-3p/acting-binding LIM protein 1 (ABLIM1) axis on thrombus formation and human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) progression was evaluated aiming to identify a novel potential biomarker of DVT. DVT rat models were established by inferior vena cava stenosis. The expression of the miR-2467-3p/ABLIM1 axis was analyzed by PCR. HUVECs were induced with oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Cell growth and motility were assessed by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and Transwell assay. The inflammation and oxidative stress were estimated by proinflammatory cytokines and generation of MDA and reactive oxygen species (ROS). ABLIM1 was downregulated in DVT rats. Overexpressing ABLIM1 could suppress the formation of thrombosis and alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress. In HUVECs, ox-LDL induced significantly increased miR-2467-3p and decreased ABLIM1, and miR-2467-3p could negatively regulate ABLIM1. The knockdown of miR-2467-3p could alleviate the inhibited cell growth and motility by ox-LDL, and the inflammation and oxidative stress were also attenuated. While silencing could reverse the effect of miR-2467-3p on ox-LDL-induced HUVECs. The miR-2467-3p/ABLIM1 axis regulates the occurrence and development of DVT through modulating HUVECs inflammation and oxidative stress.

RFX4 is an intrinsic factor for neuronal differentiation through induction of proneural genes POU3F2 and NEUROD1

Proneural genes play a crucial role in neuronal differentiation. However, our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing proneural genes during neuronal differentiation remains limited. RFX4, identified as a candidate regulator of proneural genes, has been reported to be associated with the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. To uncover the regulatory relationship, we utilized a combination of multi-omics data, including ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, Hi-C, and RNA-seq, to identify RFX4 as an upstream regulator of proneural genes. We further validated the role of RFX4 using an in vitro model of neuronal differentiation with RFX4 knock-in and a CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out system. As a result, we found that RFX4 directly interacts with the promoters of POU3F2 and NEUROD1. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a set of genes associated with neuronal development, which are highly implicated in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Notably, ectopic expression of RFX4 can drive human embryonic stem cells toward a neuronal fate. Our results strongly indicate that RFX4 serves as a direct upstream regulator of proneural genes, a role that is essential for normal neuronal development. Impairments in RFX4 function could potentially be related to the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, understanding the precise mechanisms by which the RFX4 gene influences the onset of neuropsychiatric disorders requires further investigation through human genetic studies.

Relationship of DRD5 and MAO-B VNTR polymorphisms with paranoid and antisocial personality disorders in polydrug users

Although multiple studies have shown the role genetics plays in personality disorders and in addictions, few have studied the genetic aspects of their comorbidity. Here, we carried out a cross-sectional study in a sample comprising 303 Caucasian polydrug-consuming patients. The presence of personality disorders was evaluated using the International Personality Disorder Examination, and genes related to dopamine, serotonin and monoamine oxidase (MAO) were genotyped. A significant relationship was observed between the bp 279 DRD5 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and paranoid personality disorder OR 95 % CI = 2.186 1.074 ; 4.449 ; p = 0.006 . The bp 182 OR 95 % CI = 0.407 0.178 ; 0.931 ; p = 0.033 and bp 184 OR 95 % CI = 0.391 0.188 ; 0.813 ; p = 0.012 alleles of the MAOB VNTR were also associated with antisocial personality disorder. Among patients with addictions, paranoid personality disorder should also be considered in addition to the importance of antisocial and borderline personality disorders. The higher frequency of the bp 279 DRD5 VNTR allele found in patients with paranoid personality disorder, as well as the associations between alleles of the MAOB VNTR and antisocial personality disorder, support the monoaminergic bases of these personality disorders, especially when dealing with patients with addictions.

Actin-Binding LIM 1 (ABLIM1) Inhibits Glioblastoma Progression and Serves as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker

Background

Glioma is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor in adult humans, and glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant type. The actin-binding LIM 1 (ABLIM1) protein can modulate actin polymerization, which is essential for the cell proliferation and migration. We aim to investigate ABLIM1 expression, function, and clinical significance in GBM.

Methods

The ABLIM1 mRNA level was extracted from the TCGA and GTEx online databases. The ABLIM1 protein expression level was explored using immunohistochemistry staining in a GBM cohort enrolled in our hospital (n = 104). The patient survival and prognostic factors were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox hazard proportional analysis, respectively. Two human GBM cell lines, U87 and U251 cells, were utilized for ABLIM1 overexpression and cell proliferation analyses. A subcutaneous xenograft model was generated using nude mice to validate the tumor-related effect of ABLIM1 in vivo.

Results

ABLIM1 exhibited a significantly lower mRNA level in GBM than in other glioma or normal brain tissues. Higher ABLIM1 protein level was correlated with smaller GBM tumor size and better cancer-specific survival (CSS). Multivariate analysis identified ABLIM1 as a novel independent prognostic factor for GBM prognosis. ABLIM1 overexpression significantly inhibits U87 and U251 cell proliferation and colony formation. Consistently, ABLIM1 exerted tumor-suppressing functions in mice models.

Conclusion

ABLIM1 plays antitumor roles in GBM progression and could be served as a novel biomarker to help predict GBM prognosis.

Chromatin-mediated alternative splicing regulates cocaine-reward behavior

Neuronal alternative splicing is a key gene regulatory mechanism in the brain. However, the spliceosome machinery is insufficient to fully specify splicing complexity. In considering the role of the epigenome in activity-dependent alternative splicing, we and others find the histone modification H3K36me3 to be a putative splicing regulator. In this study, we found that mouse cocaine self-administration caused widespread differential alternative splicing, concomitant with the enrichment of H3K36me3 at differentially spliced junctions. Importantly, only targeted epigenetic editing can distinguish between a direct role of H3K36me3 in splicing and an indirect role via regulation of splice factor expression elsewhere on the genome. We targeted Srsf11, which was both alternatively spliced and H3K36me3 enriched in the brain following cocaine self-administration. Epigenetic editing of H3K36me3 at Srsf11 was sufficient to drive its alternative splicing and enhanced cocaine self-administration, establishing the direct causal relevance of H3K36me3 to alternative splicing of Srsf11 and to reward behavior.

The polygenic risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with the personality trait harm avoidance

OBJECTIVE

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex psychiatric disorder with a substantial genetic contribution. While the specific variants underlying OCD's heritability are still unknown, findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) corroborate the importance of common SNPs explaining the phenotypic variance in OCD. Investigating associations between the genetic liability for OCD, as reflected by a polygenic risk score (PRS), and potential endophenotypes of the disorder, such as the personality trait harm avoidance, may aid the understanding of functional pathways from genes to diagnostic phenotypes.

METHODS

We derived PRS for OCD at several P-value thresholds based on the latest Psychiatric Genomics Consortium OCD GWAS (2688 cases, 7037 controls) in an independent sample of OCD patients (n = 180), their unaffected first-degree relatives (n = 108) and healthy controls (n = 200). Using linear regression, we tested whether these PRS are associated with the personality trait harm avoidance.

RESULTS

Results showed that OCD PRS significantly predicted OCD status, with patients having the highest scores and relatives having intermediate scores. Furthermore, the genetic risk for OCD was associated with harm avoidance across the entire sample, and among OCD patients. As indicated by mediation analyses, harm avoidance mediated the association between the OCD PRS and OCD caseness. These results were observed at multiple P-value thresholds and persisted after the exclusion of patients with a current comorbid major depressive or anxiety disorder.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the polygenic nature of OCD and further validate harm avoidance as a candidate endophenotype and diathesis of OCD.

A study combining whole-exome sequencing and structural neuroimaging analysis for major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Genetic variations associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) may affect the structural aspects of neural networks mediated by the molecular pathways involved in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. However, few studies have applied a novel approach such as whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis to investigate the genetic contribution to the neurostructural changes in MDD.

METHODS

In the first part of the study, we investigated rare variants of selected genes from previous WES studies using a WES analysis in 184 patients with MDD and 82 healthy controls. In the second part of the study, we explored the association between the common genetic variants from the WES analysis and cortical thickness in 91 patients with MDD and 75 healthy controls. The gray-matter thickness of each cortical region was measured using FreeSurfer.

RESULTS

We identified recurrent non-silent variants in 24 MDD-related genes including FASN, MYH13, UNC13D, LILRA1, CACNA1B, TRIO, HOMER3, and BCAR3, and observed eleven recurrently altered copy number alternations where a gain on 15q11.2 and losses on 7q34 and 15q11.1-q11.2 in MDD genomes. We also found that rs11592462 in CDH23, a calcium-dependent cell-adhesion molecule encoding gene, was significantly associated with thinning in the right anterior cingulate cortex.

LIMITATION

The small sample size may lead our findings to be underpowered regarding rare variants.

CONCLUSION

The present study identified that non-synonymous rare variants were significantly associated with risk of MDD and found that genetic contributions to the development of MDD may be mediated by alterations in cortical thickness of emotion-processing neural circuits.

Personality as an intermediate phenotype for genetic dissection of alcohol use disorder

Genetic and environmental interactive influences on predisposition to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD) account for the high heterogeneity among AUD patients and make research on the risk and resiliency factors complicated. Several attempts have been made to identify the genetic basis of AUD; however, only few genetic polymorphisms have consistently been associated with AUD. Intermediate phenotypes are expected to be in-between proxies of basic neuronal biological processes and nosological symptoms of AUD. Personality is likely to be a top candidate intermediate phenotype for the dissection of the genetic underpinnings of different subtypes of AUD. To date, 38 studies have investigated personality traits, commonly assessed by the Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) or Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), in relation to polymorphisms of candidate genes of neurotransmitter systems in alcohol-dependent patients. Particular attention has been given to the functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR), however, leading to contradictory results, whereas results with polymorphisms in other candidate monoaminergic genes (e.g., tryptophan hydroxylase, serotonin receptors, monoamine oxidases, dopamine receptors and transporter) are sparse. Only one genome-wide association study has been performed so far and identified the ABLIM1 gene of relevance for novelty seeking, harm avoidance and reward dependence in alcohol-dependent patients. Studies investigating genetic factors together with personality could help to define more homogenous subgroups of AUD patients and facilitate treatment strategies. This review also urges the scientific community to combine genetic data with psychobiological and environmental data to further dissect the link between personality and AUD.

Genetic Overlap Between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Bipolar Disorder: Evidence From Genome-wide Association Study Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder (BPD) are frequently co-occurring and highly heritable mental health conditions. We hypothesized that BPD cases with an early age of onset (≤21 years old) would be particularly likely to show genetic covariation with ADHD.

METHODS

Genome-wide association study data were available for 4609 individuals with ADHD, 9650 individuals with BPD (5167 thereof with early-onset BPD), and 21,363 typically developing controls. We conducted a cross-disorder genome-wide association study meta-analysis to identify whether the observed comorbidity between ADHD and BPD could be due to shared genetic risks.

RESULTS

We found a significant single nucleotide polymorphism-based genetic correlation between ADHD and BPD in the full and age-restricted samples (r_Gfull = .64, p = 3.13 × 10^-14; r_Grestricted = .71, p = 4.09 × 10^-16). The meta-analysis between the full BPD sample identified two genome-wide significant (p_rs7089973 = 2.47 × 10^-8; p_rs11756438 = 4.36 × 10^-8) regions located on chromosomes 6 (CEP85L) and 10 (TAF9BP2). Restricting the analyses to BPD cases with an early onset yielded one genome-wide significant association (p_rs58502974 = 2.11 × 10^-8) on chromosome 5 in the ADCY2 gene. Additional nominally significant regions identified contained known expression quantitative trait loci with putative functional consequences for NT5DC1, NT5DC2, and CACNB3 expression, whereas functional predictions implicated ABLIM1 as an allele-specific expressed gene in neuronal tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The single nucleotide polymorphism-based genetic correlation between ADHD and BPD is substantial, significant, and consistent with the existence of genetic overlap between ADHD and BPD, with potential differential genetic mechanisms involved in early and later BPD onset.

Limitations of lifetime alcohol use disorder assessments: A criterion-validation study

The goal of the present study was to compare etiologically and clinically relevant correlates of lifetime AUD (e.g., alcohol consumption, personality traits, psychiatric disorders) based on a single assessment compared to a cumulative, prospective assessment of lifetime AUD. Data were drawn from the Alcohol, Health and Behavior (AHB; baseline N=489) study, which consisted of a prospective cohort of college students assessed seven times over a 16-year period ([M(SD) age at baseline=18.56 (.97)] and [M(SD) age at final assessment=34.33 (.82)]). The participants were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) for DSM-III at Waves 1-7 and for DSM-IV at Waves 6-7. A single assessment and cumulative assessments of DSM-III lifetime AUD at Wave 6 (M[SD] age=28.98 [1.03]) were used to predict past-year alcohol related variables (e.g., alcohol consumption, drinking motives, drinking expectancies), personality variables, general functioning, lifetime substance use, and lifetime psychiatric disorders at Wave 7. Significantly larger correlations were found between the cumulative assessment and eight of the 25 etiologically relevant correlates of AUD compared to the single assessment. Further, significant incremental validity of cumulative assessment over single, retrospective assessment was observed for 16 of the 25 covariates. Overall, this study provides further support for the value of using prospective data with multiple assessments when determining lifetime history of disorder.

Genetic variation in personality traits explains genetic overlap between borderline personality features and substance use disorders

AIMS

To examine the genetic overlap between borderline personality features (BPF) and substance use disorders (SUDs) and the extent to which variation in personality traits contributes to this covariance.

DESIGN

Genetic structural equation modelling was used to partition the variance in and covariance between personality traits, BPF and SUDs into additive genetic, shared and individual-specific environmental factors.

SETTING

All participants were registered with the Australian Twin Registry.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3127 Australian adult twins participated in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

Diagnoses of DSM-IV alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence (AAD; CAD) and nicotine dependence (ND) were derived via computer-assisted telephone interview. BPF and five-factor model personality traits were derived via self-report questionnaires.

FINDINGS

Personality traits, BPF and substance use disorders were partially influenced by genetic factors with heritability estimates ranging from 0.38 (neuroticism; 95% confidence interval: 0.30-0.45) to 0.78 (CAD; 95% confidence interval: 0.67-0.86). Genetic and individual-specific environmental correlations between BPF and SUDs ranged from 0.33 to 0.56 (95% CI = 0.19-0.74) and 0.19-0.32 (95% CI = 0.06-0.43), respectively. Overall, there was substantial support for genetic influences that were specific to AAD, ND and CAD (30.76-68.60%). Finally, genetic variation in personality traits was responsible for 11.46% (extraversion for CAD) to 59.30% (neuroticism for AAD) of the correlation between BPF and SUDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Both genetic and individual-specific environmental factors contribute to comorbidity between borderline personality features and substance use disorders. A substantial proportion of this comorbidity can be attributed to variation in normal personality traits, particularly neuroticism.

False negatives in the assessment of lifetime alcohol use disorders: a serious but unappreciated problem

OBJECTIVE

Some individuals will not meet criteria for a lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD) at a baseline assessment but will at a follow-up measurement, but not because the disorder began after the initial evaluation. Despite several research implications, this type of unreliability of lifetime AUD estimates has not been studied extensively. The present study investigated the extent of false negatives in the assessment of lifetime AUDs using longitudinal data.

METHOD

A prospective cohort of college freshmen (baseline N = 489) were assessed seven times between ages 18 and 34 years using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Individuals were categorized as false negatives at the index assessment using a retrospective (using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition [DSM-III], and DSM-IV data), a prospective (using DSM-III data only), and a combined approach (using DSM-III data only).

RESULTS

For DSM-IV, of the 29 ostensible new onsets at a follow-up 5 years later (age approximately 34 years), 28 (96%) reported meeting AUD criteria before the index assessment (age approximately 29 years). For DSM-III, of the 25 ostensible new onsets, the retrospective, prospective, and combined approaches categorized 18 (72%) individuals as false negatives at the index assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings further demonstrate sensitivity issues with lifetime AUD assessments and call into question the validity of "onset" cases that rely on only two waves of data, especially when the follow-up assessment fails to reassess lifetime fully (i.e., across the entire drinking history).