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Liu Q, Liu Z, Xie W, Li Y, Wang H, Zhang S, Wang W, Hao J, Geng D, Yang J, Wang L. Single-cell sequencing of the substantia nigra reveals microglial activation in a model of MPTP. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1390310. [PMID: 38952478 PMCID: PMC11215054 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1390310] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin widely used to induce PD models, but the effect of MPTP on the cells and genes of PD has not been fully elucidated. Methods Single-nucleus RNA sequencing was performed in the Substantia Nigra (SN) of MPTP mice. UMAP analysis was used for the dimensionality reduction visualization of the SN in the MPTP mice. Known marker genes highly expressed genes in each cluster were used to annotate most clusters. Specific Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) and PD risk genes analysis were used to find MPTP-associated cells. GO, KEGG, PPI network, GSEA and CellChat analysis were used to reveal cell type-specific functional alterations and disruption of cell-cell communication networks. Subset reconstruction and pseudotime analysis were used to reveal the activation status of the cells, and to find the transcription factors with trajectory characterized. Results Initially, we observed specific DEGs and PD risk genes enrichment in microglia. Next, We obtained the functional phenotype changes in microglia and found that IGF, AGRN and PTN pathways were reduced in MPTP mice. Finally, we analyzed the activation state of microglia and revealed a pro-inflammatory trajectory characterized by transcription factors Nfe2l2 and Runx1. Conclusion Our work revealed alterations in microglia function, signaling pathways and key genes in the SN of MPTP mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ziyu Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wenmeng Xie
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yibo Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Sanbing Zhang
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wenyu Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiaxin Hao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Dandan Geng
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- Neuroscience Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Wang P, Wu PF, Wang HJ, Liao F, Wang F, Chen JG. Gut microbiome-derived ammonia modulates stress vulnerability in the host. Nat Metab 2023; 5:1986-2001. [PMID: 37872351 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00909-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia has been long recognized as a metabolic waste product with well-known neurotoxic effects. However, little is known about the beneficial function of endogenous ammonia. Here, we show that gut ammonia links microbe nitrogen metabolism to host stress vulnerability by maintaining brain glutamine availability in male mice. Chronic stress decreases blood ammonia levels by altering gut urease-positive microbiota. A representative urease-producing strain, Streptococcus thermophilus, can reverse depression-like behaviours induced by gut microbiota that was altered by stress, whereas pharmacological inhibition of gut ammonia production increases stress vulnerability. Notably, abnormally low blood ammonia levels limit the brain's availability of glutamine, a key metabolite produced by astrocytes that is required for presynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) replenishment and confers stress vulnerability through cortical GABAergic dysfunction. Of therapeutic interest, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), a commonly used expectorant in the clinic, can rescue behavioural abnormalities and GABAergic deficits in mouse models of depression. In sum, ammonia produced by the gut microbiome can help buffer stress in the host, providing a gut-brain signalling basis for emotional behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng-Fei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
- The Research Center for Depression, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua-Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Liao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
- The Research Center for Depression, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science, Wuhan, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jian-Guo Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
- The Research Center for Depression, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science, Wuhan, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, China.
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Chen X, Cui QQ, Hu XH, Ye J, Liu ZC, Mei YX, Wang F, Hu ZL, Chen JG. CD200 in dentate gyrus improves depressive-like behaviors of mice through enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis via alleviation of microglia hyperactivation. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:157. [PMID: 37391731 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02836-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation and microglia play critical roles in the development of depression. Cluster of differentiation 200 (CD200) is an anti-inflammatory glycoprotein that is mainly expressed in neurons, and its receptor CD200R1 is primarily in microglia. Although the CD200-CD200R1 pathway is necessary for microglial activation, its role in the pathophysiology of depression remains unknown. METHODS The chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) with behavioral tests were performed to investigate the effect of CD200 on the depressive-like behaviors. Viral vectors were used to overexpress or knockdown of CD200. The levels of CD200 and inflammatory cytokines were tested with molecular biological techniques. The status of microglia, the expression of BDNF and neurogenesis were detected with immunofluorescence imaging. RESULTS We found that the expression of CD200 was decreased in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of mice experienced CSDS. Overexpression of CD200 alleviated the depressive-like behaviors of stressed mice and inhibition of CD200 facilitated the susceptibility to stress. When CD200R1 receptors on microglia were knocked down, CD200 was unable to exert its role in alleviating depressive-like behavior. Microglia in the DG brain region were morphologically activated after exposure to CSDS. In contrast, exogenous administration of CD200 inhibited microglia hyperactivation, alleviated neuroinflammatory response in hippocampus, and increased the expression of BDNF, which in turn ameliorated adult hippocampal neurogenesis impairment in the DG induced by CSDS. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results suggest that CD200-mediated alleviation of microglia hyperactivation contributes to the antidepressant effect of neurogenesis in dentate gyrus in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian-Qian Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Hai Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zi-Cun Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan-Xi Mei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
- The Research Center for Depression, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuang-Li Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
- The Research Center for Depression, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jian-Guo Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
- The Research Center for Depression, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases (HUST), Ministry of Education of China, Wuhan, China.
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Li M, Sun X, Wang Z, Li Y. Caspase-1 affects chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors by modifying GABAergic dysfunction in the hippocampus. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:229. [PMID: 37369673 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02527-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and one of the leading causes of disability in worldwide. Both inflammation and GABAergic dysfunction have been implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD. Caspase-1, a classic inflammatory caspase, regulates AMPARs-mediated glutamatergic neurotransmission. However, the role of caspase-1 in chronic stress-induced GABAergic dysfunction remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that serum and hippocampal caspase-1-IL-1β levels increased significantly in chronic restraint stress (CRS) mice, and a significant negative correlation occurred between levels of caspase-1 and depression-like behaviors. Furthermore, CRS significantly decreased GAD67 mRNA levels and GABAergic neurotransmission accompanied by the reduction of GABA concentration, reduced the amplitude and frequency of mIPSCs inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) and the decreased surface expression of GABAARs γ2 subunit in the hippocampus. Genetic deficiency of caspase-1 not only blocked CRS-induced depression-like behaviors, but also alleviated CRS-induced impairments in GABAergic neurotransmission. Finally, reexpression of caspase-1 in the hippocampus of Caspase-1-/- mice increased susceptibility to stress-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors through inhibiting GAD67 expression and GABAARs-mediated synaptic transmission. Our study suggests that CRS dysregulates GABAergic neurotransmission via increasing the levels of caspase-1-mediated neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, ultimately leading to depression-like behaviors. This work illustrates that targeting caspase-1 may provide potential therapeutic benefits to stress-related GABAergic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Li
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430012, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan, 430012, China.
| | - Xuejiao Sun
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zongqin Wang
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430012, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan, 430012, China
| | - Yi Li
- Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430012, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan, 430012, China.
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Prophylactic effect of Tongxieyaofang polysaccharide on depressive behavior in adolescent male mice with chronic unpredictable stress through the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114525. [PMID: 36921537 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression disorder is more common among adolescents and is a primary reason for suicide in adolescents. Some antidepressants are ineffective and may possess side effects. Therefore, developing an adolescent antidepressant is the need of the hour. We designed the stress model of adolescent male mice induced by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). The mice were treated using Tongxieyaofang neutral polysaccharide (TXYF-NP), Tongxieyaofang acidic polysaccharide (TXYF-AP), TXYF-AP + TXYF-NP and fructooligosaccharide + galactooligosaccharides to determine their body weight, behavior, and serum hormone levels. RT-qPCR was used to detect the gene expression of Crhr1, Nr3c1, and Nr3c2 in the hypothalamus and hippocampus and the gene expression of glutamic acid and γ-aminobutyric acid-related receptors in the hippocampus. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA detected tryptophan metabolism in the colon, serum, and hippocampus. 16s rDNA helped sequence colon microflora, and non-targeted metabolomics enabled the collection of metabolic profiles of colon microflora. In adolescent male mice, CUS induced depression-like behavior, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, hippocampal tissue damage, abnormal expression of its related receptors, and dysregulation of tryptophan metabolism. The 16s rDNA and non-targeted metabolomics revealed that CUS led to colon microflora disorder and bile acid metabolism abnormality. Tongxieyaofang polysaccharide could improve the bacterial community and bile acid metabolism disorder by upregulating the relative abundance of Lactobacillus gasseri, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 28-4, Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 while preventing CUS-induced changes. TXYF-P can inhibit depression-like behavior due to CUS by regulating colonic microflora and restoring bile acid metabolism disorder. Thus, based on the different comparisons, TXYF-NP possessed the best effect.
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Carney TD, Hebalkar RY, Edeleva E, Çiçek IÖ, Shcherbata HR. Signaling through the dystrophin glycoprotein complex affects the stress-dependent transcriptome in Drosophila. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:286223. [PMID: 36594281 PMCID: PMC9922874 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficiencies in the human dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC), which links the extracellular matrix with the intracellular cytoskeleton, cause muscular dystrophies, a group of incurable disorders associated with heterogeneous muscle, brain and eye abnormalities. Stresses such as nutrient deprivation and aging cause muscle wasting, which can be exacerbated by reduced levels of the DGC in membranes, the integrity of which is vital for muscle health and function. Moreover, the DGC operates in multiple signaling pathways, demonstrating an important function in gene expression regulation. To advance disease diagnostics and treatment strategies, we strive to understand the genetic pathways that are perturbed by DGC mutations. Here, we utilized a Drosophila model to investigate the transcriptomic changes in mutants of four DGC components under temperature and metabolic stress. We identified DGC-dependent genes, stress-dependent genes and genes dependent on the DGC for a proper stress response, confirming a novel function of the DGC in stress-response signaling. This perspective yields new insights into the etiology of muscular dystrophy symptoms, possible treatment directions and a better understanding of DGC signaling and regulation under normal and stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis D. Carney
- Hannover Medical School, Research Group Gene Expression and Signaling, Institute of Cell Biochemistry, Hannover 30625, Germany,Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Rucha Y. Hebalkar
- Hannover Medical School, Research Group Gene Expression and Signaling, Institute of Cell Biochemistry, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | | | | | - Halyna R. Shcherbata
- Hannover Medical School, Research Group Gene Expression and Signaling, Institute of Cell Biochemistry, Hannover 30625, Germany,Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA,Author for correspondence ()
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Boxer EE, Aoto J. Neurexins and their ligands at inhibitory synapses. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:1087238. [PMID: 36618530 PMCID: PMC9812575 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1087238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of neurexins (Nrxns) as essential and evolutionarily conserved synaptic adhesion molecules, focus has largely centered on their functional contributions to glutamatergic synapses. Recently, significant advances to our understanding of neurexin function at GABAergic synapses have revealed that neurexins can play pleiotropic roles in regulating inhibitory synapse maintenance and function in a brain-region and synapse-specific manner. GABAergic neurons are incredibly diverse, exhibiting distinct synaptic properties, sites of innervation, neuromodulation, and plasticity. Different classes of GABAergic neurons often express distinct repertoires of Nrxn isoforms that exhibit differential alternative exon usage. Further, Nrxn ligands can be differentially expressed and can display synapse-specific localization patterns, which may contribute to the formation of a complex trans-synaptic molecular code that establishes the properties of inhibitory synapse function and properties of local circuitry. In this review, we will discuss how Nrxns and their ligands sculpt synaptic inhibition in a brain-region, cell-type and synapse-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Aoto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, United States
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