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Huang Z, Feng Y, Zhang Y, Ma X, Zong X, Jordan JD, Zhang Q. Enhancing axonal myelination: Clemastine attenuates cognitive impairment in a rat model of diffuse traumatic brain injury. Transl Res 2024; 268:40-50. [PMID: 38246342 PMCID: PMC11081842 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.01.008] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a significant impact on cognitive function, affecting millions of people worldwide. Myelin loss is a prominent pathological feature of TBI, while well-functioning myelin is crucial for memory and cognition. Utilizing drug repurposing to identify effective drug candidates for TBI treatment has gained attention. Notably, recent research has highlighted the potential of clemastine, an FDA-approved allergy medication, as a promising pro-myelinating drug. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate whether clemastine can enhance myelination and alleviate cognitive impairment following mild TBI using a clinically relevant rat model of TBI. Mild diffuse TBI was induced using the Closed-Head Impact Model of Engineered Rotational Acceleration (CHIMERA). Animals were treated with either clemastine or an equivalent volume of the vehicle from day 1 to day 14 post-injury. Following treatment, memory-related behavioral tests were conducted, and myelin pathology in the cortex and hippocampus was assessed through immunofluorescence staining and ProteinSimple® capillary-based immunoassay. Our results showed that TBI leads to significant myelin loss, axonal damage, glial activation, and a decrease in mature oligodendrocytes in both the cortex and hippocampus. The TBI animals also exhibited notable deficits in memory-related tests. In contrast, animals treated with clemastine showed an increase in mature oligodendrocytes, enhanced myelination, and improved performance in the behavioral tests. These preliminary findings support the therapeutic value of clemastine in alleviating TBI-induced cognitive impairment, with substantial clinical translational potential. Our findings also underscore the potential of remyelinating therapies for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihai Huang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 1501 Kings Highway, LA 71103 USA
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 1501 Kings Highway, LA 71103 USA
| | - Yulan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 1501 Kings Highway, LA 71103 USA
| | - Xiaohui Ma
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 1501 Kings Highway, LA 71103 USA
| | - Xuemei Zong
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 1501 Kings Highway, LA 71103 USA
| | - J. Dedrick Jordan
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 1501 Kings Highway, LA 71103 USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 1501 Kings Highway, LA 71103 USA
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2
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Huang Z, Jordan JD, Zhang Q. Myelin Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease: Potential Therapeutic Opportunities. Aging Dis 2024; 15:698-713. [PMID: 37548935 PMCID: PMC10917545 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline. Despite significant efforts over several decades, our understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease is still incomplete. Myelin is a multi-layered membrane structure ensheathing neuronal axons, which is essential for the fast and effective propagation of action potentials along the axons. Recent studies highlight the critical involvement of myelin in memory consolidation and reveal its vulnerability in various pathological conditions. Notably, apart from the classic amyloid hypothesis, myelin degeneration has been proposed as another critical pathophysiological feature of AD, which could occur prior to the development of amyloid pathology. Here, we review recent works supporting the critical role of myelin in cognition and myelin pathology during AD progression, with a focus on the mechanisms underlying myelin degeneration in AD. We also discuss the complex intersections between myelin pathology and typical AD pathophysiology, as well as the therapeutic potential of pro-myelinating approaches for this disease. Overall, these findings implicate myelin degeneration as a critical contributor to AD-related cognitive deficits and support targeting myelin repair as a promising therapeutic strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihai Huang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71103 USA
| | - J. Dedrick Jordan
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71103 USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71103 USA
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3
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Zhang H, Yang Y, Zhang J, Huang L, Niu Y, Chen H, Liu Q, Wang R. Oligodendrocytes Play a Critical Role in White Matter Damage of Vascular Dementia. Neuroscience 2024; 538:1-10. [PMID: 37913862 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.10.018] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
With the deepening of population aging, the treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia is facing increasing challenges. Vascular dementia (VaD) is a cognitive dysfunction caused by brain blood flow damage and one of the most common causes of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. White matter damage in patients with chronic ischemic dementia often occurs before cognitive impairment, and its pathological changes include leukoaraiosis, myelin destruction and oligodendrocyte death. The pathophysiology of vascular dementia is complex, involving a variety of neuronal and vascular lesions. The current proposed mechanisms include calcium overload, oxidative stress, nitrative stress and inflammatory damage, which can lead to hypoxia-ischemia and demyelination. Oligodendrocytes are the only myelinating cells in the central nervous system and closely associated with VaD. In this review article, we intend to further discuss the role of oligodendrocytes in white matter and myelin injury in VaD and the development of anti-myelin injury target drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hexin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Yanrong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Li Huang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Yang Niu
- Key Laboratory of Modernization of Minority Medicine, Ministry of Education, Ningxia medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Qibing Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China.
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4
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Hong H, Guo C, Liu X, Yang L, Ren W, Zhao H, Li Y, Zhou Z, Lam SM, Mi J, Zuo Z, Liu C, Wang GD, Zhuo Y, Zhang YP, Li Y, Shui G, Zhang YQ, Xiong Y. Differential effects of social isolation on oligodendrocyte development in different brain regions: insights from a canine model. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1201295. [PMID: 37538851 PMCID: PMC10393781 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1201295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Social isolation (SI) exerts diverse adverse effects on brain structure and function in humans. To gain an insight into the mechanisms underlying these effects, we conducted a systematic analysis of multiple brain regions from socially isolated and group-housed dogs, whose brain and behavior are similar to humans. Our transcriptomic analysis revealed reduced expression of myelin-related genes specifically in the white matter of prefrontal cortex (PFC) after SI during the juvenile stage. Despite these gene expression changes, myelin fiber organization in PFC remained unchanged. Surprisingly, we observed more mature oligodendrocytes and thicker myelin bundles in the somatosensory parietal cortex in socially isolated dogs, which may be linked to an increased expression of ADORA2A, a gene known to promote oligodendrocyte maturation. Additionally, we found a reduced expression of blood-brain barrier (BBB) structural components Aquaporin-4, Occludin, and Claudin1 in both PFC and parietal cortices, indicating BBB disruption after SI. In agreement with BBB disruption, myelin-related sphingolipids were increased in cerebrospinal fluid in the socially isolated group. These unexpected findings show that SI induces distinct alterations in oligodendrocyte development and shared disruption in BBB integrity in different cortices, demonstrating the value of dogs as a complementary animal model to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying SI-induced brain dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Hong
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Guo
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xueru Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liguang Yang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Beijing Sinogene Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Zhongyin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Sin Man Lam
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jidong Mi
- Beijing Sinogene Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Zhentao Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cirong Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yan Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yixue Li
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghou Shui
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Q. Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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5
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Mei R, Qiu W, Yang Y, Xu S, Rao Y, Li Q, Luo Y, Huang H, Yang A, Tao H, Qiu M, Zhao X. Evidence That DDR1 Promotes Oligodendrocyte Differentiation during Development and Myelin Repair after Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10318. [PMID: 37373466 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes generate myelin sheaths vital for the formation, health, and function of the central nervous system. Mounting evidence suggests that receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are crucial for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination in the CNS. It was recently reported that discoidin domain receptor 1 (Ddr1), a collagen-activated RTK, is expressed in oligodendrocyte lineage. However, its specific expression stage and functional role in oligodendrocyte development in the CNS remain to be determined. In this study, we report that Ddr1 is selectively upregulated in newly differentiated oligodendrocytes in the early postnatal CNS and regulates oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Ddr1 knock-out mice of both sexes displayed compromised axonal myelination and apparent motor dysfunction. Ddr1 deficiency alerted the ERK pathway, but not the AKT pathway in the CNS. In addition, Ddr1 function is important for myelin repair after lysolecithin-induced demyelination. Taken together, the current study described, for the first time, the role of Ddr1 in myelin development and repair in the CNS, providing a novel molecule target for the treatment of demyelinating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyi Mei
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Wanwan Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yingying Yang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Siyu Xu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yueyu Rao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Qingxin Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yuhao Luo
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Aifen Yang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Huaping Tao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Mengsheng Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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Li Y, Lim C, Dismuke T, Malawsky DS, Oasa S, Bruce ZC, Offenhäuser C, Baumgartner U, D’Souza RCJ, Edwards SL, French JD, Ock LS, Nair S, Sivakumaran H, Harris L, Tikunov AP, Hwang D, Del Mar Alicea Pauneto C, Maybury M, Hassall T, Wainwright B, Kesari S, Stein G, Piper M, Johns TG, Sokolsky-Papkov M, Terenius L, Vukojević V, Gershon TR, Day BW. Preventing recurrence in Sonic Hedgehog Subgroup Medulloblastoma using the OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2949436. [PMID: 37333134 PMCID: PMC10275055 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2949436/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Recurrence is the primary life-threatening complication for medulloblastoma (MB). In Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup MB, OLIG2-expressing tumor stem cells drive recurrence. We investigated the anti-tumor potential of the small-molecule OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179, using SHH-MB patient-derived organoids, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors and mice genetically-engineered to develop SHH-MB. CT-179 disrupted OLIG2 dimerization, DNA binding and phosphorylation and altered tumor cell cycle kinetics in vitro and in vivo, increasing differentiation and apoptosis. CT-179 increased survival time in GEMM and PDX models of SHH-MB, and potentiated radiotherapy in both organoid and mouse models, delaying post-radiation recurrence. Single cell transcriptomic studies (scRNA-seq) confirmed that CT-179 increased differentiation and showed that tumors up-regulated Cdk4 post-treatment. Consistent with increased CDK4 mediating CT-179 resistance, CT-179 combined with CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib delayed recurrence compared to either single-agent. These data show that targeting treatment-resistant MB stem cell populations by adding the OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179 to initial MB treatment can reduce recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Li
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
- These authors contributed equally
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Chaemin Lim
- These authors contributed equally
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 221 Heukseok-dong, Dongiak-gu, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Taylor Dismuke
- These authors contributed equally
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Daniel S. Malawsky
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Sho Oasa
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zara C. Bruce
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | | | - Ulrich Baumgartner
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Rochelle C. J. D’Souza
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Stacey L. Edwards
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Juliet D. French
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Lucy S.H. Ock
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Sneha Nair
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Haran Sivakumaran
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Lachlan Harris
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrey P. Tikunov
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30323, USA
| | - Duhyeong Hwang
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Dankook University, 119 Dandae-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Coral Del Mar Alicea Pauneto
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mellissa Maybury
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Timothy Hassall
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Oncology Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital & Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | | | - Santosh Kesari
- Curtana Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Austin, TX 78756, United States
| | | | - Michael Piper
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | | | - Marina Sokolsky-Papkov
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lars Terenius
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladana Vukojević
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Timothy R. Gershon
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30323, USA
| | - Bryan W. Day
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Lead contact
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Huang Z, Jordan JD, Zhang Q. Early life adversity as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:25. [PMID: 37173751 PMCID: PMC10182702 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00355-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological conditions, including cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD), impose a huge burden on society, affecting millions of people globally. In addition to genetic factors, recent studies indicate that environmental and experiential factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Early life adversity (ELA) has a profound impact on brain function and health later in life. In rodent models, exposure to ELA results in specific cognitive deficits and aggravated AD pathology. Extensive concerns have been raised regarding the higher risk of developing cognitive impairments in people with a history of ELA. In this review, we scrutinize findings from human and animal studies focusing on the connection of ELA with cognitive impairment and AD. These discoveries suggest that ELA, especially at early postnatal stages, increases susceptibility to cognitive impairment and AD later in life. In terms of mechanisms, ELA could lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, altered gut microbiome, persistent inflammation, oligodendrocyte dysfunction, hypomyelination, and aberrant adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Crosstalks among these events may synergistically contribute to cognitive impairment later in life. Additionally, we discuss several interventions that may alleviate adverse consequences of ELA. Further investigation into this crucial area will help improve ELA management and reduce the burden of related neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihai Huang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - J Dedrick Jordan
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
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8
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Wu H, Chen X, Yu B, Zhang J, Gu X, Liu W, Mei F, Ye J, Xiao L. Deficient deposition of new myelin impairs adult optic nerve function in a murine model of diabetes. Glia 2023; 71:1333-1345. [PMID: 36661098 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24341] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Visual impairment in diabetes is a growing public health concern. Apart from the well-defined diabetic retinopathy, disturbed optic nerve function, which is dependent on the myelin sheath, has recently been recognized as an early feature of visual impairment in diabetes. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model, we observed a myelin deficiency along with a disturbed composition of oligodendroglial lineage cells in diabetic optic nerve. We found that new myelin deposition, a continuous process that lasts throughout adulthood, was diminished during pathogenesis. Genetically dampening newly generated myelin by conditionally deleting olig2 in oligodendrocyte precursor cells within this short time window extensively delayed the signal transmission of the adult optic nerve. In addition, clemastine, an antimuscarinic compound that enhances myelination, significantly restored oligodendroglia, and promoted the functional recovery of the optic nerve in diabetic mice. Together, our results point to the role of new myelin deposition in optic neuropathy under diabetic insult and provide a promising therapeutic target for restoring visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqian Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Department of Physiology, Research Center of Neuroscience, College of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jieqiong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingmei Gu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Mei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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9
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Morello G, La Cognata V, Guarnaccia M, D'Agata V, Cavallaro S. Cracking the Code of Neuronal Cell Fate. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071057. [PMID: 37048129 PMCID: PMC10093029 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is fundamental to most biological processes and reverse-engineering programs can be used to decipher the underlying programs. In this review, we describe how genomics is offering a systems biology-based perspective of the intricate and temporally coordinated transcriptional programs that control neuronal apoptosis and survival. In addition to providing a new standpoint in human pathology focused on the regulatory program, cracking the code of neuronal cell fate may offer innovative therapeutic approaches focused on downstream targets and regulatory networks. Similar to computers, where faults often arise from a software bug, neuronal fate may critically depend on its transcription program. Thus, cracking the code of neuronal life or death may help finding a patch for neurodegeneration and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina La Cognata
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Guarnaccia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Velia D'Agata
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
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10
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Xiong Y, Hong H, Liu C, Zhang YQ. Social isolation and the brain: effects and mechanisms. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:191-201. [PMID: 36434053 PMCID: PMC9702717 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01835-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
An obvious consequence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the worldwide reduction in social interaction, which is associated with many adverse effects on health in humans from babies to adults. Although social development under normal or isolated environments has been studied since the 1940s, the mechanism underlying social isolation (SI)-induced brain dysfunction remains poorly understood, possibly due to the complexity of SI in humans and translational gaps in findings from animal models. Herein, we present a systematic review that focused on brain changes at the molecular, cellular, structural and functional levels induced by SI at different ages and in different animal models. SI studies in humans and animal models revealed common socioemotional and cognitive deficits caused by SI in early life and an increased occurrence of depression and anxiety induced by SI during later stages of life. Altered neurotransmission and neural circuitry as well as abnormal development and function of glial cells in specific brain regions may contribute to the abnormal emotions and behaviors induced by SI. We highlight distinct alterations in oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation and oligodendrocyte maturation caused by SI in early life and later stages of life, respectively, which may affect neural circuit formation and function and result in diverse brain dysfunctions. To further bridge animal and human SI studies, we propose alternative animal models with brain structures and complex social behaviors similar to those of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xiong
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Huilin Hong
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Cirong Liu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031 China ,grid.511008.dShanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, 201210 China
| | - Yong Q. Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
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11
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C. Silva T, Zhang W, Young JI, Gomez L, Schmidt MA, Varma A, Chen XS, Martin ER, Wang L. Distinct sex-specific DNA methylation differences in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:133. [PMID: 36109771 PMCID: PMC9479371 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex is increasingly recognized as a significant factor contributing to the biological and clinical heterogeneity in AD. There is also growing evidence for the prominent role of DNA methylation (DNAm) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS We studied sex-specific DNA methylation differences in the blood samples of AD subjects compared to cognitively normal subjects, by performing sex-specific meta-analyses of two large blood-based epigenome-wide association studies (ADNI and AIBL), which included DNA methylation data for a total of 1284 whole blood samples (632 females and 652 males). Within each dataset, we used two complementary analytical strategies, a sex-stratified analysis that examined methylation to AD associations in male and female samples separately, and a methylation-by-sex interaction analysis that compared the magnitude of these associations between different sexes. After adjusting for age, estimated immune cell type proportions, batch effects, and correcting for inflation, the inverse-variance fixed-effects meta-analysis model was used to identify the most consistent DNAm differences across datasets. In addition, we also evaluated the performance of the sex-specific methylation-based risk prediction models for AD diagnosis using an independent external dataset. RESULTS In the sex-stratified analysis, we identified 2 CpGs, mapped to the PRRC2A and RPS8 genes, significantly associated with AD in females at a 5% false discovery rate, and an additional 25 significant CpGs (21 in females, 4 in males) at P-value < 1×10-5. In methylation-by-sex interaction analysis, we identified 5 significant CpGs at P-value < 10-5. Out-of-sample validations using the AddNeuroMed dataset showed in females, the best logistic prediction model included age, estimated immune cell-type proportions, and methylation risk scores (MRS) computed from 9 of the 23 CpGs identified in AD vs. CN analysis that are also available in AddNeuroMed dataset (AUC = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.65-0.83). In males, the best logistic prediction model included only age and MRS computed from 2 of the 5 CpGs identified in methylation-by-sex interaction analysis that are also available in the AddNeuroMed dataset (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56-0.82). CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results show that the DNA methylation differences in AD are largely distinct between males and females. Our best-performing sex-specific methylation-based prediction model in females performed better than that for males and additionally included estimated cell-type proportions. The significant discriminatory classification of AD samples with our methylation-based prediction models demonstrates that sex-specific DNA methylation could be a predictive biomarker for AD. As sex is a strong factor underlying phenotypic variability in AD, the results of our study are particularly relevant for a better understanding of the epigenetic architecture that underlie AD and for promoting precision medicine in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago C. Silva
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Juan I. Young
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Lissette Gomez
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Michael A. Schmidt
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Achintya Varma
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - X. Steven Chen
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33136 USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Eden R. Martin
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Lily Wang
- grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33136 USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA ,grid.26790.3a0000 0004 1936 8606Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136 USA
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12
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Morello G, Villari A, Spampinato AG, La Cognata V, Guarnaccia M, Gentile G, Ciotti MT, Calissano P, D’Agata V, Severini C, Cavallaro S. Transcriptional Profiles of Cell Fate Transitions Reveal Early Drivers of Neuronal Apoptosis and Survival. Cells 2021; 10:3238. [PMID: 34831459 PMCID: PMC8620386 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal apoptosis and survival are regulated at the transcriptional level. To identify key genes and upstream regulators primarily responsible for these processes, we overlayed the temporal transcriptome of cerebellar granule neurons following induction of apoptosis and their rescue by three different neurotrophic factors. We identified a core set of 175 genes showing opposite expression trends at the intersection of apoptosis and survival. Their functional annotations and expression signatures significantly correlated to neurological, psychiatric and oncological disorders. Transcription regulatory network analysis revealed the action of nine upstream transcription factors, converging pro-apoptosis and pro-survival-inducing signals in a highly interconnected functionally and temporally ordered manner. Five of these transcription factors are potential drug targets. Transcriptome-based computational drug repurposing produced a list of drug candidates that may revert the apoptotic core set signature. Besides elucidating early drivers of neuronal apoptosis and survival, our systems biology-based perspective paves the way to innovative pharmacology focused on upstream targets and regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95125 Catania, Italy; (G.M.); (A.V.); (A.G.S.); (V.L.C.); (M.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Ambra Villari
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95125 Catania, Italy; (G.M.); (A.V.); (A.G.S.); (V.L.C.); (M.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Antonio Gianmaria Spampinato
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95125 Catania, Italy; (G.M.); (A.V.); (A.G.S.); (V.L.C.); (M.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Valentina La Cognata
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95125 Catania, Italy; (G.M.); (A.V.); (A.G.S.); (V.L.C.); (M.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Maria Guarnaccia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95125 Catania, Italy; (G.M.); (A.V.); (A.G.S.); (V.L.C.); (M.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giulia Gentile
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95125 Catania, Italy; (G.M.); (A.V.); (A.G.S.); (V.L.C.); (M.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Maria Teresa Ciotti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Via E. Ramarini, 32, Monterotondo Scalo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (M.T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI Foundation), Viale Regina Elena, 295, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Velia D’Agata
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Severini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Via E. Ramarini, 32, Monterotondo Scalo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (M.T.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95125 Catania, Italy; (G.M.); (A.V.); (A.G.S.); (V.L.C.); (M.G.); (G.G.)
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13
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Chen L, Ren SY, Li RX, Liu K, Chen JF, Yang YJ, Deng YB, Wang HZ, Xiao L, Mei F, Wang F. Chronic Exposure to Hypoxia Inhibits Myelinogenesis and Causes Motor Coordination Deficits in Adult Mice. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1397-1411. [PMID: 34292513 PMCID: PMC8490606 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00745-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to chronic hypoxia is considered to be a risk factor for deficits in brain function in adults, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Since active myelinogenesis persists in the adult central nervous system, here we aimed to investigate the impact of chronic hypoxia on myelination and the related functional consequences in adult mice. Using a transgenic approach to label newly-generated myelin sheaths (NG2-CreERTM; Tau-mGFP), we found that myelinogenesis was highly active in most brain regions, such as the motor cortex and corpus callosum. After exposure to hypoxia (10% oxygen) 12 h per day for 4 weeks, myelinogenesis was largely inhibited in the 4-month old brain and the mice displayed motor coordination deficits revealed by the beam-walking test. To determine the relationship between the inhibited myelination and functional impairment, we induced oligodendroglia-specific deletion of the transcription factor Olig2 by tamoxifen (NG2-CreERTM; Tau-mGFP; Olig2 fl/fl) in adult mice to mimic the decreased myelinogenesis caused by hypoxia. The deletion of Olig2 inhibited myelinogenesis and consequently impaired motor coordination, suggesting that myelinogenesis is required for motor function in adult mice. To understand whether enhancing myelination could protect brain functions against hypoxia, we treated hypoxic mice with the myelination-enhancing drug-clemastine, which resulted in enhanced myelogenesis and improved motor coordination. Taken together, our data indicate that chronic hypoxia inhibits myelinogenesis and causes functional deficits in the brain and that enhancing myelinogenesis protects brain functions against hypoxia-related deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shu-Yu Ren
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Rui-Xue Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing-Fei Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yu-Jian Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yong-Bin Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Han-Zhi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Feng Mei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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14
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Dicer Deletion in Astrocytes Inhibits Oligodendroglial Differentiation and Myelination. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1135-1146. [PMID: 34106403 PMCID: PMC8353046 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00705-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has shown that astrocytes are implicated in regulating oligodendrocyte myelination, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To understand whether microRNAs in astrocytes function in regulating oligodendroglial differentiation and myelination in the developing and adult CNS, we generated inducible astrocyte-specific Dicer conditional knockout mice (hGFAP-CreERT; Dicer fl/fl). By using a reporter mouse line (mT/mG), we confirmed that hGFAP-CreERT drives an efficient and astrocyte-specific recombination in the developing CNS, upon tamoxifen treatment from postnatal day 3 (P3) to P7. The Dicer deletion in astrocytes resulted in inhibited oligodendroglial differentiation and myelination in the developing CNS of Dicer cKO mice at P10 and P14, and did not alter the densities of neurons or axons, indicating that Dicer in astrocytes is required for oligodendrocyte myelination. Consequently, the Dicer deletion in astrocytes at P3 resulted in impaired spatial memory and motor coordination at the age of 9 weeks. To understand whether Dicer in astrocytes is also required for remyelination, we induced Dicer deletion in 3-month-old mice and then injected lysolecithin into the corpus callosum to induce demyelination. The Dicer deletion in astrocytes blocked remyelination in the corpus callosum 14 days after induced demyelination. Together, our results indicate that Dicer in astrocytes is required for oligodendroglia myelination in both the developing and adult CNS.
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15
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Wang G, Zhang H, Sun J, Zhang Y, He F, Zou J. Cyclosporin A impairs neurogenesis and cognitive abilities in brain development via the IFN-γ-Shh-BDNF pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 96:107744. [PMID: 33993101 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A wealth of evidence indicate that the peripheral immune activation alters brain development. However, it is still largely unclear whether and how peripheral immunosuppression affects neurodevelopment. Here, we found that the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) decreased the number of BrdU+, BrdU+/DCX+, BrdU+/NeuN + cells in the hippocampus, impaired learning and memory and inhibited protein levels of the shh signaling pathway, including Shh, Smo and Gli1. However, the shh pathway receptor agonist SAG could block the impairment of cognitive ability and the decrease of hippocampal neurogenesis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level induced by CsA. We also found that CsA decreased the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), while up-regulation of IFN-γ altered the inhibitory effect of the shh signaling pathway and the decrease of BDNF induced by CsA. Collectively, these data indicate that peripheral CsA impairs neurogenesis and cognition in brain development through downregulating the IFN-γ-Shh-BDNF pathway. The present study guides us to correctly apply immunomodulatory drugs in early life and suggests that the IFN-γ-Shh-BDNF pathway may represent a novel protective target for neurodevelopment under the condition of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200032 Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyang Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiancong Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Fen He
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Juntao Zou
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Chen X, Huang NX, Cheng YJ, Cai QY, Tian YP, Chen XS, Xiao L. DNA Hypermethylation Induced by L-Methionine Leads to Oligodendroglial and Myelin Deficits and Schizophrenia-Like Behaviors in Adolescent Mice. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:659853. [PMID: 33958986 PMCID: PMC8095669 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.659853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has demonstrated that in addition to dysfunction of neuronal circuitry, oligodendroglial dysfunction and/or disruption of white matter integrity are found in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. DNA methylation, a well-established risk factor for schizophrenia, has been demonstrated to cause neuronal dysfunction; however, whether dysregulation of DNA methylation contributes to oligodendroglial/myelin deficits in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia remains unclear. In the present study, by using L-methionine-treated mice, we confirmed that mice with DNA hypermethylation exhibited an anxious phenotype, impaired sociability, and sensorimotor gating deficits. Notably, DNA hypermethylation in oligodendroglial cells led to dysregulation of multiple oligodendroglia-specific transcription factors, which indicated disruption of the transcriptional architecture. Furthermore, DNA hypermethylation caused a reduction of oligodendroglial lineage cells and myelin integrity in the frontal white matter of mice. Taken together, these results indicate that DNA hypermethylation leads to oligodendroglial and/or myelin deficits, which may, at least in part, contribute to schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice. This study provides new insights into the possibility that precise modulation of DNA methylation status in oligodendroglia could be beneficial for the white matter pathology in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjun Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Department of Physiology, Research Center of Neuroscience, College of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nan-Xin Huang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yong-Jie Cheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Qi-Yan Cai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yan-Ping Tian
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xing-Shu Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Military Medical Geography, Army Medical Training Base, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Brain and Intelligence, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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17
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Li M, Meng N, Guo X, Niu X, Zhao Z, Wang W, Xie X, Lv P. Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide Promotes Remyelination and Suppresses Inflammation by Regulating AMPK/SIRT1 and STAT3/NF-κB Signaling in Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:137. [PMID: 32581761 PMCID: PMC7296049 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Demyelination in vascular dementia (VD) is partly attributable to inflammation induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). Remyelination contributes to the recovery of cognitive impairment by inducing the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. It was previously reported that Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) promotes cognitive improvement. However, whether NBP can stimulate remyelination and suppress inflammation after CCH remains unclear. To answer this question, the present study investigated the effects of NBP on remyelination in a rat model of CCH established by bilateral carotid artery occlusion. Functional recovery was evaluated with the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and myelin integrity, regeneration of mature oligodendrocytes, and inhibition of astrocyte proliferation were assessed by immunohistochemistry and histologic analysis. Additionally, activation of 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Sirtuin (SIRT)1 and Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways was evaluated by western blotting. The results showed that NBP treatment improved memory and learning performance in CCH rats, which was accompanied by increased myelin integrity and oligodendrocyte regeneration, and reduced astrocyte proliferation and inflammation. Additionally, NBP induced the activation of AMPK/SIRT1 signaling while inhibiting the STAT3/NF-κB pathway. These results indicate that NBP alleviates cognitive impairment following CCH by promoting remyelination and suppressing inflammation via modulation of AMPK/SIRT1 and STAT3/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixi Li
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Nan Meng
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xin Guo
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoli Niu
- Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhongmin Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaohua Xie
- Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Peiyuan Lv
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
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Moos WH, Faller DV, Glavas IP, Harpp DN, Kanara I, Mavrakis AN, Pernokas J, Pernokas M, Pinkert CA, Powers WR, Sampani K, Steliou K, Vavvas DG, Zamboni RJ, Kodukula K, Chen X. Klotho Pathways, Myelination Disorders, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Epigenetic Drugs. Biores Open Access 2020; 9:94-105. [PMID: 32257625 PMCID: PMC7133426 DOI: 10.1089/biores.2020.0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review we outline a rationale for identifying neuroprotectants aimed at inducing endogenous Klotho activity and expression, which is epigenetic action, by definition. Such an approach should promote remyelination and/or stimulate myelin repair by acting on mitochondrial function, thereby heralding a life-saving path forward for patients suffering from neuroinflammatory diseases. Disorders of myelin in the nervous system damage the transmission of signals, resulting in loss of vision, motion, sensation, and other functions depending on the affected nerves, currently with no effective treatment. Klotho genes and their single-pass transmembrane Klotho proteins are powerful governors of the threads of life and death, true to the origin of their name, Fates, in Greek mythology. Among its many important functions, Klotho is an obligatory co-receptor that binds, activates, and/or potentiates critical fibroblast growth factor activity. Since the discovery of Klotho a little over two decades ago, it has become ever more apparent that when Klotho pathways go awry, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction take over, and age-related chronic disorders are likely to follow. The physiological consequences can be wide ranging, potentially wreaking havoc on the brain, eye, kidney, muscle, and more. Central nervous system disorders, neurodegenerative in nature, and especially those affecting the myelin sheath, represent worthy targets for advancing therapies that act upon Klotho pathways. Current drugs for these diseases, even therapeutics that are disease modifying rather than treating only the symptoms, leave much room for improvement. It is thus no wonder that this topic has caught the attention of biomedical researchers around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter H. Moos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- ShangPharma Innovation, Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | - Douglas V. Faller
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ioannis P. Glavas
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - David N. Harpp
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Anastasios N. Mavrakis
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Julie Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, Massachusetts
| | - Mark Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, Massachusetts
| | - Carl A. Pinkert
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
| | - Whitney R. Powers
- Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anatomy, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Konstantina Sampani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Beetham Eye Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kosta Steliou
- Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- PhenoMatriX, Inc., Natick, Massachusetts
| | - Demetrios G. Vavvas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Xiaohong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
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