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Baumgartner NE, Black KL, McQuillen SM, Daniel JM. Previous estradiol treatment during midlife maintains transcriptional regulation of memory-related proteins by ERα in the hippocampus in a rat model of menopause. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 105:365-373. [PMID: 34198140 PMCID: PMC8338908 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous midlife estradiol treatment, like continuous treatment, improves memory and results in lasting increases in hippocampal levels of estrogen receptor (ER) α and ER-dependent transcription in ovariectomized rodents. We hypothesized that previous and continuous midlife estradiol act to specifically increase levels of nuclear ERα, resulting in transcriptional regulation of proteins that mediate estrogen effects on memory. Ovariectomized middle-aged rats received estradiol or vehicle capsule implants. After 40 days, rats initially receiving vehicle received another vehicle capsule (ovariectomized controls). Rats initially receiving estradiol received either another estradiol (continuous estradiol) or a vehicle (previous estradiol) capsule. One month later, hippocampi were dissected and processed. Continuous and previous estradiol increased levels of nuclear, but not membrane or cytosolic ERα and had no effect on Esr1. Continuous and previous estradiol impacted gene expression and/or protein levels of mediators of estrogenic action on memory including ChAT, BDNF, and PSD-95. Findings demonstrate a long-lasting role for hippocampal ERα as a transcriptional regulator of memory following termination of previous estradiol treatment in a rat model of menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina E Baumgartner
- Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.
| | - Katelyn L Black
- Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
| | - Shannon M McQuillen
- Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
| | - Jill M Daniel
- Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; Psychology Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
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Leeners B, Krüger T, Geraedts K, Tronci E, Mancini T, Ille F, Egli M, Röblitz S, Wunder D, Saleh L, Schippert C, Hengartner MP. Cognitive function in association with high estradiol levels resulting from fertility treatment. Horm Behav 2021; 130:104951. [PMID: 33561436 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.104951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The putative association between hormones and cognitive performance is controversial. While there is evidence that estradiol plays a neuroprotective role, hormone treatment has not been shown to improve cognitive performance. Current research is flawed by the evaluation of combined hormonal effects throughout the menstrual cycle or in the menopausal transition. The stimulation phase of a fertility treatment offers a unique model to study the effect of estradiol on cognitive function. This quasi-experimental observational study is based on data from 44 women receiving IVF in Zurich, Switzerland. We assessed visuospatial working memory, attention, cognitive bias, and hormone levels at the beginning and at the end of the stimulation phase of ovarian superstimulation as part of a fertility treatment. In addition to inter-individual differences, we examined intra-individual change over time (within-subject effects). The substantial increases in estradiol levels resulting from fertility treatment did not relate to any considerable change in cognitive functioning. As the tests applied represent a broad variety of cognitive functions on different levels of complexity and with various brain regions involved, we can conclude that estradiol does not show a significant short-term effect on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Leeners
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University hospital Zürich, 8910 Zurich, Frauenklinikstr. 10, Switzerland.
| | - Tillmann Krüger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kirsten Geraedts
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University hospital Zürich, 8910 Zurich, Frauenklinikstr. 10, Switzerland.
| | - Enrico Tronci
- Department of Computer Science, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy.
| | - Toni Mancini
- Department of Computer Science, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy.
| | - Fabian Ille
- Center of Competence in Aerospace Biomedical Science & Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hergiswil, Switzerland.
| | - Marcel Egli
- Center of Competence in Aerospace Biomedical Science & Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hergiswil, Switzerland.
| | - Susanna Röblitz
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Dorothea Wunder
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Lanja Saleh
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Cordula Schippert
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Michael P Hengartner
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University for Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Zürich, Switzerland.
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Baumgartner NE, Daniel JM. Estrogen receptor α: a critical role in successful female cognitive aging. Climacteric 2021; 24:333-339. [PMID: 33522313 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2021.1875426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Due to potential health risks, current recommendations are that individuals who wish to use hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms do so for the shortest period of time possible. In our investigation into how short-term use of estrogens in midlife following loss of ovarian function exerts long-term effects on female cognitive aging in rodents, we discovered a link between the ability of previous exposure to estradiol to enhance memory in the long term and its ability to increase estrogen receptor α (ERα) levels in the hippocampus, a brain area important for memory. Follow-up studies in model systems implicate a role for ERα in enhanced cognitive function independent of ovarian or exogenously administered estrogens. Results are consistent with clinical studies in which brain ERα levels in older women and men are related to cognitive functioning and risk of cognitive decline is associated with polymorphisms in the gene that transcribes ERα. Research in preclinical models reveals mechanisms through which ERα can be activated and affect cognition in the absence of ovarian estrogens, including ligand-independent activation via insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling and activation by brain-derived neuroestrogens. This report reviews preclinical and clinical data that collectively point to the importance of ERα in cognition and highlights the need to differentiate the role of estrogen receptors from their classical ligands as we seek approaches to facilitate successful cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Baumgartner
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - J M Daniel
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Pinkas J, Bojar I, Gujski M, Sarecka-Hujar B, Owoc A, Raczkiewicz D. Effect of interactions between APOE and ESR1 polymorphisms on cognitive functions in postmenopausal women. Arch Med Sci 2021; 17:31-39. [PMID: 33488853 PMCID: PMC7811303 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2018.72972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During menopause the level of estrogens is decreased, which may lead to cognitive impairment or dementia. Some forms of genetic polymorphism were found to be related to cognitive functions, including APOE and ESR1 (PvuII and XbaI) polymorphisms. In the present study we aimed to analyze the impact of interactions between APOE and ESR1 polymorphisms on cognitive functions in the group of postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 266 postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years without symptoms of dementia. A computerized battery of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. APOE and ESR1 polymorphisms were genotyped using multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP methods, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance in Statistica software. RESULTS The best memory, visual memory, processing and psychomotor speeds were found in women carrying the C allele of the PvuII polymorphism (TC + CC genotypes) in the presence of the APOE ε2/ε3 genotype, while a lower outcome was noted in women with ε3/ε3, and the lowest if they had the ε4 allele. In the case of women with TT genotype of the PvuII polymorphism, cognitive functioning did not decrease in women with the ε4 allele. A similar effect on cognitive functions was observed for AG + GG genotypes of the XbaI and APOE polymorphisms. Women who simultaneously carried CC PvuII and GG XbaI genotypes had the lowest cognitive functions. CONCLUSIONS Interactions of polymorphic variants of APOE and ESR1 genes influenced cognitive functions in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarosław Pinkas
- School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Bojar
- Department of Women’s Health, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Mariusz Gujski
- Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Sarecka-Hujar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Alfred Owoc
- Polish Society of Social Medicine and Public Health, Poland
| | - Dorota Raczkiewicz
- Department of Demography, Institute of Statistics and Demography, Collegium of Economic Analysis, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland
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Facial Sadness Recognition is Modulated by Estrogen Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Healthy Females. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8120219. [PMID: 30544539 PMCID: PMC6315436 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8120219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor ESR1 and ESR2 genes have been linked with cognitive deficits and affective disorders. The effects of these genetic variants on emotional processing in females with low estrogen levels are not well known. The aim was to explore the impact of the ESR1 and ESR2 genes on the responses to the facial emotion recognition task in females. Postmenopausal healthy female volunteers were genotyped for the polymorphisms Xbal and PvuII of ESR1 and the polymorphism rs1256030 of ESR2. The effect of these polymorphisms on the response to the facial emotion recognition of the emotions happiness, sadness, disgust, anger, surprise, and fear was analyzed. Females carrying the P allele of the PvuII polymorphism or the X allele of the Xbal polymorphism of ESR1 easily recognized facial expressions of sadness that were more difficult for the women carrying the p allele or the x allele. They displayed higher accuracy, fast response time, more correct responses, and fewer omissions to complete the task, with a large effect size. Women carrying the ESR2 C allele of ESR2 showed a faster response time for recognizing facial expressions of anger. These findings link ESR1 and ESR2 polymorphisms in facial emotion recognition of negative emotions.
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Maney DL. Polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors: From gene sequence to behavior. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017; 47:47-65. [PMID: 28705582 PMCID: PMC6312198 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Sex steroid receptors have received much interest as potential mediators of human behaviors and mental disorders. Candidate gene association studies have identified about 50 genetic variants of androgen and estrogen receptors that correlate with human behavioral phenotypes. Because most of these polymorphisms lie outside coding regions, discerning their effect on receptor function is not straightforward. Thus, although discoveries of associations improve our ability to predict risk, they have not greatly advanced our understanding of underlying mechanisms. This article is intended to serve as a starting point for psychologists and other behavioral biologists to consider potential mechanisms. Here, I review associations between polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors and human behavioral phenotypes. I then consider ways in which genetic variation can affect processes such as mRNA transcription, splicing, and stability. Finally, I suggest ways that hypotheses about mechanism can be tested, for example using in vitro assays and/or animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, 36 Eagle Row, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Barh D, García-Solano ME, Tiwari S, Bhattacharya A, Jain N, Torres-Moreno D, Ferri B, Silva A, Azevedo V, Ghosh P, Blum K, Conesa-Zamora P, Perry G. BARHL1 Is Downregulated in Alzheimer's Disease and May Regulate Cognitive Functions through ESR1 and Multiple Pathways. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8100245. [PMID: 28956815 PMCID: PMC5664095 DOI: 10.3390/genes8100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Transcription factor BarH like homeobox 1 (BARHL1) is overexpressed in medulloblastoma and plays a role in neurogenesis. However, much about the BARHL1 regulatory networks and their functions in neurodegenerative and neoplastic disorders is not yet known. In this study, using a tissue microarray (TMA), we report for the first time that BARHL1 is downregulated in hormone-negative breast cancers and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, using an integrative bioinformatics approach and mining knockout mouse data, we show that: (i) BARHL1 and Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) may constitute a network that regulates Neurotrophin 3 (NTF3)- and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-mediated neurogenesis and neural survival; (ii) this is probably linked to AD pathways affecting aberrant post-translational modifications including SUMOylation and ubiquitination; (iii) the BARHL1-ESR1 network possibly regulates β-amyloid metabolism and memory; and (iv) hsa-mir-18a, having common key targets in the BARHL1-ESR1 network and AD pathway, may modulate neuron death, reduce β-amyloid processing and might also be involved in hearing and cognitive decline associated with AD. We have also hypothesized why estrogen replacement therapy improves AD condition. In addition, we have provided a feasible new mechanism to explain the abnormal function of mossy fibers and cerebellar granule cells related to memory and cognitive decline in AD apart from the Tau and amyloid pathogenesis through our BARHL1-ESR1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721172, India.
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - María E García-Solano
- Department of Pathology, Santa Lucía General University Hospital (HGUSL), C/Mezquita s/n, 30202 Cartagena, Spain.
- Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721172, India.
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Antaripa Bhattacharya
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721172, India.
| | - Neha Jain
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721172, India.
| | - Daniel Torres-Moreno
- Department of Pathology, Santa Lucía General University Hospital (HGUSL), C/Mezquita s/n, 30202 Cartagena, Spain.
- Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Belén Ferri
- Department of Pathology, Virgen Arrixaca University Hospital (HUVA), Ctra. Madrid Cartagena sn, 30120 El Palmar, Spain.
| | - Artur Silva
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01-Guamá, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Preetam Ghosh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal 721172, India.
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
| | - Kenneth Blum
- Department of Psychiatry & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Pablo Conesa-Zamora
- Department of Pathology, Santa Lucía General University Hospital (HGUSL), C/Mezquita s/n, 30202 Cartagena, Spain.
- Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain.
| | - George Perry
- UTSA Neurosciences Institute and Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Pinsonneault JK, Frater JT, Kompa B, Mascarenhas R, Wang D, Sadee W. Intronic SNP in ESR1 encoding human estrogen receptor alpha is associated with brain ESR1 mRNA isoform expression and behavioral traits. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179020. [PMID: 28617822 PMCID: PMC5472281 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants of ESR1 have been implicated in multiple diseases, including behavioral disorders, but causative variants remain uncertain. We have searched for regulatory variants affecting ESR1 expression in human brain, measuring allelic ESR1 mRNA expression in human brain tissues with marker SNPs in exon4 representing ESR1-008 (or ESRα-36), and in the 3'UTR of ESR1-203, two main ESR1 isoforms in brain. In prefrontal cortex from subjects with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and controls (n = 35 each; Stanley Foundation brain bank), allelic ESR1 mRNA ratios deviated from unity up to tenfold at the exon4 marker SNP, with large allelic ratios observed primarily in bipolar and schizophrenic subjects. SNP scanning and targeted sequencing identified rs2144025, associated with large allelic mRNA ratios (p = 1.6E10-6). Moreover, rs2144025 was significantly associated with ESR1 mRNA levels in the Brain eQTL Almanac and in brain regions in the Genotype-Tissue Expression project. In four GWAS cohorts, rs2104425 was significantly associated with behavioral traits, including: hypomanic episodes in female bipolar disorder subjects (GAIN bipolar disorder study; p = 0.0004), comorbid psychological symptoms in both males and females with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (GAIN ADHD, p = 0.00002), psychological diagnoses in female children (eMERGE study of childhood health, subject age ≥9, p = 0.0009), and traits in schizophrenia (e.g., grandiose delusions, GAIN schizophrenia, p = 0.0004). The first common ESR1 variant (MAF 12-33% across races) linked to regulatory functions, rs2144025 appears conditionally to affect ESR1 mRNA expression in the brain and modulate traits in behavioral disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K. Pinsonneault
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - John T. Frater
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Kompa
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Roshan Mascarenhas
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Danxin Wang
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Wolfgang Sadee
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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