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Huang G, Iqbal J, Shen D, Xue YX, Yang M, Jia X. MicroRNA expression profiles of stress susceptibility and resilience in the prelimbic and infralimbic cortex of rats after single prolonged stress. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1247714. [PMID: 37692297 PMCID: PMC10488707 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1247714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The experience of traumatic stress can engender lasting memories associated with the trauma, often resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, only a minority of individuals develop PTSD symptoms upon exposure. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the pathology of PTSD are poorly understood. Utilizing a rat model of PTSD, the Single Prolonged Stress (SPS) paradigm, we were able to differentiate between resilient and susceptible individuals. Fourteen days after the SPS exposure, we conducted the behavioral analyses using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Open Field (OF) tests to identify male rats as trauma resilient or susceptible. We focused on the microRNA (miRNA) profiles of the infralimbic (IL) and prelimbic (PL) cortical regions, known to be crucial in regulating the stress response. Our investigation of stressed rats exposed to the SPS procedure yielded divergent response, and differential expression microRNAs (DEmiRs) analysis indicated significant differences in the IL and PL transcriptional response. In the IL cortex, the GO analysis revealed enriched GO terms in the resilient versus control comparison, specifically related to mitogen-activated protein kinase and MAP kinase signaling pathways for their molecular functions as well as cytosol and nucleoplasm for the biological process. In the susceptible versus resilient comparison, the changes in molecular functions were only manifested in the functions of regulation of transcription involved in the G1/S transition of the mitotic cell cycle and skeletal muscle satellite cell activation. However, no enriched GO terms were found in the susceptible versus control comparison. In the PL cortex, results indicated that the DEmiRs were enriched exclusively in the cellular component level of the endoplasmic reticulum lumen in the comparison between resilient and control rats. Overall, our study utilized an animal model of PTSD to investigate the potential correlation between stress-induced behavioral dysfunction and variations in miRNA expression. The aforementioned discoveries have the potential to pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches for PTSD, which could involve the targeted regulation of transcriptome expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengdi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dan Shen
- Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yan-xue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Clinical College of Mental Health, ShenZhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- School of Mental Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojian Jia
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Precision Psychiatric Technology, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Clinical College of Mental Health, ShenZhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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Coelho A, Lima-Bastos S, Gobira P, Lisboa S. Endocannabinoid signaling and epigenetics modifications in the neurobiology of stress-related disorders. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220034. [PMID: 37520658 PMCID: PMC10372471 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220034] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress exposure is associated with psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also a vulnerability factor to developing or reinstating substance use disorder. Stress causes several changes in the neuro-immune-endocrine axis, potentially resulting in prolonged dysfunction and diseases. Changes in several transmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glucocorticoids, and cytokines, are associated with psychiatric disorders or behavioral alterations in preclinical studies. Complex and interacting mechanisms make it very difficult to understand the physiopathology of psychiatry conditions; therefore, studying regulatory mechanisms that impact these alterations is a good approach. In the last decades, the impact of stress on biology through epigenetic markers, which directly impact gene expression, is under intense investigation; these mechanisms are associated with behavioral alterations in animal models after stress or drug exposure, for example. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates stress response, reward circuits, and other physiological functions, including hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation and immune response. eCBs, for example, act retrogradely at presynaptic neurons, limiting the release of neurotransmitters, a mechanism implicated in the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects after stress. Epigenetic mechanisms can impact the expression of eCB system molecules, which in turn can regulate epigenetic mechanisms. This review will present evidence of how the eCB system and epigenetic mechanisms interact and the consequences of this interaction in modulating behavioral changes after stress exposure in preclinical studies or psychiatric conditions. Moreover, evidence that correlates the involvement of the eCB system and epigenetic mechanisms in drug abuse contexts will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur A. Coelho
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sávio Lima-Bastos
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro H. Gobira
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina F. Lisboa
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Al Jowf GI, Ahmed ZT, Reijnders RA, de Nijs L, Eijssen LMT. To Predict, Prevent, and Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Review of Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065238. [PMID: 36982313 PMCID: PMC10049301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can become a chronic and severely disabling condition resulting in a reduced quality of life and increased economic burden. The disorder is directly related to exposure to a traumatic event, e.g., a real or threatened injury, death, or sexual assault. Extensive research has been done on the neurobiological alterations underlying the disorder and its related phenotypes, revealing brain circuit disruption, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. Psychotherapy remains the first-line treatment option for PTSD given its good efficacy, although pharmacotherapy can also be used as a stand-alone or in combination with psychotherapy. In order to reduce the prevalence and burden of the disorder, multilevel models of prevention have been developed to detect the disorder as early as possible and to reduce morbidity in those with established diseases. Despite the clinical grounds of diagnosis, attention is increasing to the discovery of reliable biomarkers that can predict susceptibility, aid diagnosis, or monitor treatment. Several potential biomarkers have been linked with pathophysiological changes related to PTSD, encouraging further research to identify actionable targets. This review highlights the current literature regarding the pathophysiology, disease development models, treatment modalities, and preventive models from a public health perspective, and discusses the current state of biomarker research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazi I. Al Jowf
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (G.I.A.J.); (L.M.T.E.)
| | - Ziyad T. Ahmed
- College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al Rajhi University, Al-Bukairyah 52726, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rick A. Reijnders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lars M. T. Eijssen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Bioinformatics—BiGCaT, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (G.I.A.J.); (L.M.T.E.)
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Zhou S, Zhou X, Jiang Z, Ma J, Li Y, Qian Z, Li H. The Mechanism of SNHG8/Microrna-421-3p/Sorting Nexin 8 Axis on Dopaminergic Neurons in Substantia Nigra in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:942-955. [PMID: 36401052 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03795-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the aging population. Particularly, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to play vital roles in PD, while the role of lncRNA SNHG8 in PD remains to be further explored. C57BL/6 mice were induced by rotenone to establish a PD model in vivo, and then the dopaminergic (DA) neuronal damage and locomotor dysfunction in rotenone-treated mice were evaluated. Murine DA cell line MN9D was treated with rotenone to establish a cellular PD model in vitro. Then, the viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy in rotenone-treated MN9D cells were assessed. Expression levels of SNHG8, microRNA-421-3p (miR-421-3p), and sorting nexin 8 (SNX8) in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD mice and rotenone-treated MN9D cells were detected. The interaction between SNHG8 and miR-421-3p, and the targeting relationship between SNX8 and miR-421-3p were confirmed. SNHG8 and SNX8 expression levels were decreased while miR-421-3p expression level was increased in the SN of PD mice and rotenone-treated MN9D cells. Upregulated SNHG8 ameliorated dopaminergic neuron damage and locomotor dysfunction in PD mice. Meanwhile, upregulated SNHG8 enhanced viability, diminished apoptosis, and alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy in rotenone-treated MN9D cells. Mechanistically, SNHG8 bound to miR-421-3p, and miR-421-3p targeted SNX8. Overexpressed SNHG8 downregulates miR-421-3p to alleviate rotenone-induced dopaminergic neuron injury in PD via upregulating SNX8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Zhou
- Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, No.2828 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofang Zhou
- Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, No.2828 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zewen Jiang
- Outpatient Department, Zhejiang Armed Police Corps Hospital, No.86 Jiangnan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinrong Ma
- Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, No.2828 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanmei Li
- Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, No.2828 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiyong Qian
- Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, No.2828 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua Li
- Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center, No.2828 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
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Krispil-Alon M, Jovasevic V, Radulovic J, Richter-Levin G. Sex-specific roles of hippocampal microRNAs in stress vulnerability and resilience. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:503. [PMID: 36473835 PMCID: PMC9726879 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02267-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Contrary to intuition, most individuals are resilient to psychological trauma and only a minority is vulnerable. Men and women are known to respond differently to trauma exposure, however, mechanisms underlying the relationship between sex differences and trauma resilience and vulnerability are not yet fully understood. Taking advantage of the Behavioral Profiling approach, which enables differentiating between 'affected' and 'unaffected' individuals, we examined sex-associated differences in stress exposure effects on hippocampal expression of selected stress-related GABA-A receptor targeting miRNAs. Levels of the miRNA-144 and miRNA-33 were measured in male and female affected (vulnerable, e.g., higher freezing time) and unaffected (resilient) rats. In male rats, increased levels of miRNA-144 and miRNA-33 were observed in the dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG) and ventral dentate gyrus (vDG) respectively, of stress-exposed but unaffected animals. In females, we observed an increased expression of miRNA-144 and miRNA-33 in the ventral cornu ammonis 1 (vCA1) of affected animals. Accordingly, we inhibited miRNAs expression selectively in hippocampal subregions using oligonucleotides containing locked nucleic acid bases, to examine the miRNAs' causal contribution to either vulnerability or resilience to stress in each sex. Inhibition of miRNA-144 in dDG and miRNA-33 in vDG in males resulted in an increased prevalence of vulnerable animals, while inhibition of miRNA-144 and miRNA-33 in vCA1 in females increased the proportion of resilient animals. The current findings reveal a critical sex-associated difference in the role of miRNAs in stress vulnerability and resilience. This novel understanding of sex-associated epigenetic involvement in the mechanism of stress-related psychopathologies may help improve gender-specific diagnosis and effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maayan Krispil-Alon
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Vladimir Jovasevic
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jelena Radulovic
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
- Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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6
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Yin YC, Li XH, Rao X, Li YJ, Du J. Involvement of microRNA/cystine/glutamate transporter in cold-stressed gastric mucosa injury. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:968098. [PMID: 36249798 PMCID: PMC9554746 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.968098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress ulcers are complicated by severe trauma and other critical diseases, the mechanism of which remains unclear. An increasing number of studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of stress responses such as hypoxia, abnormal temperature, and inflammation. The evidence indicates that miRNAs are also involved in regulating stress-induced ulcers. Recently, we demonstrated that gastric mucosal injury induced by aspirin is related to the reduction of glutamate levels by inhibition of cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT) activity. In the present study, the effect of a miRNA/xCT on gastric mucosal injury induced by cold stimulation was investigated. We found that cold stimulation induced gastric mucosa injury with a reduction in glutamate levels and xCT activity and upregulation of miR-143, miR-152, and miR-181 expression. Exogenous glutamate significantly alleviated gastric mucosa injury by cold stimulation. In vitro experiments demonstrated that treatment with miR-143, miR-152, or miR-181 mimics directly induced cell damage. The effects of these mimics were alleviated by exogenous glutamate. The present study suggests that miR-143, miR-152, and miR-181 are involved in cold stimulation-induced acute gastric mucosal injury. Furthermore, the regulatory effect of miRNAs on gastric mucosa injury induced by cold stimulation is related to a decrease in glutamate release by reduction of cystine/glutamate transporter activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Cong Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, China
| | - Xiao-hui Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuan Rao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan-Jian Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Du, ; Yuan-Jian Li,
| | - Jie Du
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (XIANGYA), Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Du, ; Yuan-Jian Li,
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Kadkhoda S, Hussen BM, Eslami S, Ghafouri-Fard S. A review on the role of miRNA-324 in various diseases. Front Genet 2022; 13:950162. [PMID: 36035118 PMCID: PMC9399342 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.950162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed important functions of several microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of human diseases. miR-324 is an example of miRNAs with crucial impacts on the pathogenesis of a wide range of disorders. Gene ontology studies have indicated possible role of miR-324 in responses of cells to the leukemia inhibitory factor, long-term synaptic potentiation, positive regulation of cytokines production and sensory perception of sound. In human, miR-324 is encoded by MIR324 gene which resides on chromosome 17p13.1. In the current manuscript, we provide a concise review of the role of miR-324 in the pathogenesis of cancers as well as non-cancerous conditions such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, diabetic nephropathy, epilepsy, pulmonary/renal fibrosis, ischemic stroke and ischemia reperfusion injuries. Moreover, we summarize the role of this miRNA as a prognostic marker for malignant disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Kadkhoda
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
- Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Solat Eslami
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard,
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Rosa JM, Formolo DA, Yu J, Lee TH, Yau SY. The Role of MicroRNA and Microbiota in Depression and Anxiety. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:828258. [PMID: 35299696 PMCID: PMC8921933 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.828258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression and anxiety are devastating disorders. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the development of depression and anxiety can provide new hints on novel treatments and preventive strategies. Here, we summarize the latest findings reporting the novel roles of gut microbiota and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety. The crosstalk between gut microbiota and the brain has been reported to contribute to these pathologies. It is currently known that some miRNAs can regulate bacterial growth and gene transcription while also modulate the gut microbiota composition, suggesting the importance of miRNAs in gut and brain health. Treatment and prevention strategies for neuropsychiatric diseases, such as physical exercise, diet, and probiotics, can modulate the gut microbiota composition and miRNAs expressions. Nonetheless, there are critical questions to be addressed to understand further the mechanisms involved in the interaction between the gut microbiota and miRNAs in the brain. This review summarizes the recent findings of the potential roles of microbiota and miRNA on the neuropathology of depression and anxiety, and its potential as treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M. Rosa
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Mental Health Research Center (MHRC), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Institute for Smart Aging (RISA), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Douglas A. Formolo
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Mental Health Research Center (MHRC), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Institute for Smart Aging (RISA), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiasui Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Mental Health Research Center (MHRC), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Institute for Smart Aging (RISA), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas H. Lee
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Suk-yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Mental Health Research Center (MHRC), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Institute for Smart Aging (RISA), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Suk-yu Yau,
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Pathak GA, Singh K, Wendt FR, Fleming TW, Overstreet C, Koller D, Tylee DS, De Angelis F, Cabrera Mendoza B, Levey DF, Koenen KC, Krystal JH, Pietrzak RH, O' Donell C, Gaziano JM, Falcone G, Stein MB, Gelernter J, Pasaniuc B, Mancuso N, Davis LK, Polimanti R. Genetically regulated multi-omics study for symptom clusters of posttraumatic stress disorder highlights pleiotropy with hematologic and cardio-metabolic traits. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1394-1404. [PMID: 35241783 PMCID: PMC9210390 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01488-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may arise in response to severe traumatic event and is diagnosed based on three main symptom clusters (reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal) per the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (version DSM-IV-TR). In this study, we characterized the biological heterogeneity of PTSD symptom clusters by performing a multi-omics investigation integrating genetically regulated gene, splicing, and protein expression in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex tissue within a sample of US veterans enrolled in the Million Veteran Program (N total = 186,689). We identified 30 genes in 19 regions across the three PTSD symptom clusters. We found nine genes to have cell-type specific expression, and over-representation of miRNA-families - miR-148, 30, and 8. Gene-drug target prioritization approach highlighted cyclooxygenase and acetylcholine compounds. Next, we tested molecular-profile based phenome-wide impact of identified genes with respect to 1678 phenotypes derived from the Electronic Health Records of the Vanderbilt University biorepository (N = 70,439). Lastly, we tested for local genetic correlation across PTSD symptom clusters which highlighted metabolic (e.g., obesity, diabetes, vascular health) and laboratory traits (e.g., neutrophil, eosinophil, tau protein, creatinine kinase). Overall, this study finds comprehensive genomic evidence including clinical and regulatory profiles between PTSD, hematologic and cardiometabolic traits, that support comorbidities observed in epidemiologic studies of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gita A Pathak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Kritika Singh
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Frank R Wendt
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Tyne W Fleming
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Cassie Overstreet
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Dora Koller
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Daniel S Tylee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Flavio De Angelis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Brenda Cabrera Mendoza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Daniel F Levey
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christopher O' Donell
- Cardiology Section, Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Michael Gaziano
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guido Falcone
- Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York Street, LLCI 1004D, Box 208018, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Murray B Stein
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, Psychiatry Service, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Bogdan Pasaniuc
- Departments of Computational Medicine, Human Genetics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Mancuso
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lea K Davis
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Renato Polimanti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
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10
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Duarte-Silva E, Oriá AC, Mendonça IP, de Melo MG, Paiva IHR, Maes M, Joca SRL, Peixoto CA. TINY IN SIZE, BIG IN IMPACT: EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES AS MODULATORS OF MOOD, ANXIETY AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104582. [PMID: 35182538 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are tiny vesicles used by cells as means of cellular communication, through which the function and state of a given cell can be changed. A body of evidence has suggested that EVs could be culprits in the development and progression of various types of diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Unsurprisingly, EVs have also been implicate in mood, anxiety and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder and Autism-Spectrum Disorder (ASD), respectively. Here, we review the state-of-art regarding the roles of EVs in the aforementioned diseases and focus on the mechanisms by which they can cause and worsen disease. Harnessing the knowledge of EVs is not only important to deliver different cargos to cells in a specific manner to treat these diseases, but also to establish reliable disease biomarkers, which will aid in the early disease diagnosis and treatment, increasing the chance of successful treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Duarte-Silva
- Laboratory of Ultrastructure, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Recife, PE, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biosciences and Biotechnology for Health (PPGBBS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ-PE)/Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Recife, PE, Brazil; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Recife, PE, Brazil; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40255 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | | | - Ingrid Prata Mendonça
- Laboratory of Ultrastructure, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Recife, PE, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences (PPGCB), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Michel Gomes de Melo
- Laboratory of Ultrastructure, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Recife, PE, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences (PPGCB), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Igor Henrique R Paiva
- Laboratory of Ultrastructure, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Recife, PE, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences (PPGCB), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; IMPACT Strategic Research Center, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Sâmia R L Joca
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christina Alves Peixoto
- Laboratory of Ultrastructure, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Recife, PE, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM, CNPq), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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11
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Zhang S, Xing M, Chen G, Tong L, Zhang H, Du D. Upregulation of miR‐335 and miR‐674‐3p in the rostral ventrolateral medulla contributes to stress‐induced hypertension. J Neurochem 2022; 161:387-404. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhang
- International Cooperation Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Hangzhou Zhejiang China
| | - Mengyu Xing
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio‐Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences Shanghai University Shanghai China
- School of Life Scicences Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Gaojun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio‐Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences Shanghai University Shanghai China
- School of Life Scicences Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Lei Tong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio‐Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences Shanghai University Shanghai China
- School of Life Scicences Shanghai University Shanghai China
| | - Haili Zhang
- School of Life Sciences Heze University Heze Shandong China
| | - Dongshu Du
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio‐Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences Shanghai University Shanghai China
- School of Life Scicences Shanghai University Shanghai China
- Shaoxing institute of technology Zhejiang China
- School of Life Sciences Heze University Heze Shandong China
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12
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Ferguson LB, Roberts AJ, Mayfield RD, Messing RO. Blood and brain gene expression signatures of chronic intermittent ethanol consumption in mice. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009800. [PMID: 35176017 PMCID: PMC8853518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing syndrome diagnosed by a heterogeneous set of behavioral signs and symptoms. There are no laboratory tests that provide direct objective evidence for diagnosis. Microarray and RNA-Seq technologies enable genome-wide transcriptome profiling at low costs and provide an opportunity to identify biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients. However, access to brain tissue in living patients is not possible. Blood contains cellular and extracellular RNAs that provide disease-relevant information for some brain diseases. We hypothesized that blood gene expression profiles can be used to diagnose AUD. We profiled brain (prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus) and blood gene expression levels in C57BL/6J mice using RNA-seq one week after chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure, a mouse model of alcohol dependence. We found a high degree of preservation (rho range: [0.50, 0.67]) between blood and brain transcript levels. There was small overlap between blood and brain DEGs, and considerable overlap of gene networks perturbed after CIE related to cell-cell signaling (e.g., GABA and glutamate receptor signaling), immune responses (e.g., antigen presentation), and protein processing / mitochondrial functioning (e.g., ubiquitination, oxidative phosphorylation). Blood gene expression data were used to train classifiers (logistic regression, random forest, and partial least squares discriminant analysis), which were highly accurate at predicting alcohol dependence status (maximum AUC: 90.1%). These results suggest that gene expression profiles from peripheral blood samples contain a biological signature of alcohol dependence that can discriminate between CIE and Air subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B. Ferguson
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Amanda J. Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - R. Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Robert O. Messing
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
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13
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Lehner M, Skórzewska A, Wisłowska-Stanek A. Sex-Related Predisposition to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Development-The Role of Neuropeptides. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:314. [PMID: 35010574 PMCID: PMC8750761 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by re-experiencing a traumatic event, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, hyperarousal, and severe functional impairment. Women have a two times higher risk of developing PTSD than men. The neurobiological basis for the sex-specific predisposition to PTSD might be related to differences in the functions of stress-responsive systems due to the interaction between gonadal hormones and stress peptides such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), orexin, oxytocin, and neuropeptide Y. Additionally, in phases where estrogens levels are low, the risk of developing or exacerbating PTSD is higher. Most studies have revealed several essential sex differences in CRF function. They include genetic factors, e.g., the CRF promoter contains estrogen response elements. Importantly, sex-related differences are responsible for different predispositions to PTSD and diverse treatment responses. Fear extinction (the process responsible for the effectiveness of behavioral therapy for PTSD) in women during periods of high endogenous estradiol levels (the primary form of estrogens) is reportedly more effective than in periods of low endogenous estradiol. In this review, we present the roles of selected neuropeptides in the sex-related predisposition to PTSD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lehner
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Street, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Skórzewska
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Street, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Aleksandra Wisłowska-Stanek
- Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CEPT), Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1B Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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14
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Voelz C, Ebrahimy N, Zhao W, Habib P, Zendedel A, Pufe T, Beyer C, Slowik A. Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia Leads to miRNA Alterations in Different Brain Regions, Blood Serum, Liver, and Spleen. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010161. [PMID: 35008586 PMCID: PMC8745086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is characterized by an occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel resulting in neuronal cell death due to nutritional and oxygen deficiency. Additionally, post-ischemic cell death is augmented after reperfusion. These events are paralleled by dysregulated miRNA expression profiles in the peri-infarct area. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism in the peri-infarct region is crucial for developing promising therapeutics. Utilizing a tMCAo (transient Middle Cerebral Artery occlusion) model in rats, we studied the expression levels of the miRNAs (miR) 223-3p, 155-5p, 3473, and 448-5p in the cortex, amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus of both the ipsi- and contralateral hemispheres. Additionally, the levels in the blood serum, spleen, and liver and the expression of their target genes, namely, Nlrp3, Socs1, Socs3, and Vegfa, were assessed. We observed an increase in all miRNAs on the ipsilateral side of the cerebral cortex in a time-dependent manner and increased miRNAs levels (miR-223-3p, miR-3473, and miR-448-5p) in the contralateral hemisphere after 72 h. Besides the cerebral cortex, the amygdala presented increased expression levels, whereas the thalamus and hippocampus showed no alterations. Different levels of the investigated miRNAs were detected in blood serum, liver, and spleen. The gene targets were altered not only in the peri-infarct area of the cortex but selectively increased in the investigated non-affected brain regions along with the spleen and liver during the reperfusion time up to 72 h. Our results suggest a supra-regional influence of miRNAs following ischemic stroke, which should be studied to further identify whether miRNAs are transported or locally upregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Voelz
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (C.V.); (N.E.); (W.Z.); (A.Z.); (C.B.)
| | - Nahal Ebrahimy
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (C.V.); (N.E.); (W.Z.); (A.Z.); (C.B.)
| | - Weiyi Zhao
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (C.V.); (N.E.); (W.Z.); (A.Z.); (C.B.)
| | - Pardes Habib
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- JARA-BRAIN Institute of Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Adib Zendedel
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (C.V.); (N.E.); (W.Z.); (A.Z.); (C.B.)
| | - Thomas Pufe
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Cordian Beyer
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (C.V.); (N.E.); (W.Z.); (A.Z.); (C.B.)
| | - Alexander Slowik
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)241-80-89112
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15
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Ortega MA, Alvarez-Mon MA, García-Montero C, Fraile-Martinez O, Lahera G, Monserrat J, Muñoz-Merida L, Mora F, Rodríguez-Jiménez R, Fernandez-Rojo S, Quintero J, Álvarez-Mon M. MicroRNAs as Critical Biomarkers of Major Depressive Disorder: A Comprehensive Perspective. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111659. [PMID: 34829888 PMCID: PMC8615526 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents a major global health concern, a body-mind malady of rising prevalence worldwide nowadays. The complex network of mechanisms involved in MDD pathophysiology is subjected to epigenetic changes modulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). Serum free or vesicles loaded miRNAs have starred numerous publications, denoting a key role in cell-cell communication, systematically and in brain structure and neuronal morphogenesis, activity and plasticity. Upregulated or downregulated expression of these signaling molecules may imply the impairment of genes implicated in pathways of MDD etiopathogenesis (neuroinflammation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotransmitters, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, oxidative stress, circadian rhythms...). In addition, these miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value, allowing to classify severity of the disease or to make decisions in clinical management. They have been considered as promising therapy targets as well and may interfere with available antidepressant treatments. As epigenetic malleable regulators, we also conclude emphasizing lifestyle interventions with physical activity, mindfulness and diet, opening the door to new clinical management considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
| | - Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Cielo García-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Lahera
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Psychiatry Service, Center for Biomedical Research in the Mental Health Network, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Jorge Monserrat
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Muñoz-Merida
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
| | - Fernando Mora
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Roberto Rodríguez-Jiménez
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Institute for Health Research Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas 12), CIBERSAM, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Fernandez-Rojo
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Javier Quintero
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (F.M.); (S.F.-R.); (J.Q.)
- Department of Legal Medicine and Psychiatry, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Melchor Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (L.M.-M.); (M.Á.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology, Oncology Service an Internal Medicine, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, (CIBEREHD), 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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16
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Wang Q, Liang Y, Luo X, Liu Y, Zhang X, Gao L. N6-methyladenosine RNA modification: A promising regulator in central nervous system injury. Exp Neurol 2021; 345:113829. [PMID: 34339678 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In addition to DNA methylation, reversible epigenetic modification occurring in RNA has been discovered recently. The most abundant type of RNA methylation is N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, which is dynamically regulated by methylases ("writers"), demethylases ("erasers") and m6A-binding proteins ("readers"). As an essential posttranscriptional regulator, m6A can control mRNA splicing, processing, stability, export and translation. Recent studies have revealed that m6A modification has the strongest tissue specificity for brain tissue and plays crucial roles in central nervous system (CNS) injures by affecting its downstream target genes or non-coding RNAs. This review focuses on the expression and function of m6A regulatory proteins in CNS trauma in vitro and in vivo. We also highlight the latest insights into the molecular mechanisms of pathological damage in the CNS. Understanding m6A dynamics, functions, and machinery will yield an opportunity for designing and developing novel therapeutic agents for CNS injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Yundan Liang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China
| | - Xiaolei Luo
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Gynecological Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Gynecological Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Linbo Gao
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
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17
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Jia J, Wang M, Liu M, Tan Z, Cui Y, Yu M. MiR-421 Binds to PINK1 and Enhances Neural Stem Cell Self-Renewal via HDAC3-Dependent FOXO3 Activation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:621187. [PMID: 34354990 PMCID: PMC8329493 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.621187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctions of neural stem cells (NSCs) often lead to a variety of neurological diseases. Thus, therapies based on NSCs have gained increasing attention recently. It has been documented that microRNA (miR)-421 represses the autophagy and apoptosis of mouse hippocampal neurons and confers a role in the repair of ischemic brain injury (IBI). Herein, we aimed to illustrate the effects of miR-421 on NSC self-renewal. The downstream factors of miR-421 were predicted initially, followed by gain- and loss-of-function assays to examine their effects on NSC self-renewal. Immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase assays were conducted to validate the interaction among miR-421, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), HDAC3, and forkhead box O3 (FOXO3). A mouse model with IBI was developed to substantiate the impact of the miR-421/PINK1/HDAC3/FOXO3 axis on NSC self-renewal. The expression of miR-421 was downregulated during differentiation of human embryonic NSCs, and miR-421 overexpression accelerated NSC self-renewal. Besides, miR-421 targeted PINK1 and restricted its expression in NSCs and further suppressed HDAC3 phosphorylation and enhanced FOXO3 acetylation. In conclusion, our data elucidated that miR-421 overexpression may facilitate NSC self-renewal through the PINK1/HDAC3/FOXO3 axis, which may provide potential therapeutic targets for the development of novel therapies for IBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoying Jia
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhigang Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengqiang Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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18
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Choi K, Lee J, Kang HJ. Myelination defects in the medial prefrontal cortex of Fkbp5 knockout mice. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21297. [PMID: 33410216 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001883r] [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: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a principal role in stress response regulation and has been implicated in the etiology of stress-related disorders. The HPA axis regulates the normal synthesis and release of glucocorticoids; dysregulation of the HPA axis causes abnormal responses to stress. FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5), a co-chaperone of heat shock protein 90 in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) molecular complex, is a key GR sensitivity regulator. FKBP5 single nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with dysregulated HPA axis and increased risk of stress-related disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In this study, we profiled the microRNAs (miRNAs) in the medial prefrontal cortex of Fkbp5 knockout (Fkbp5-/- ) mice and identified the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs using sequence-based miRNA target prediction. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in nervous system development, regulation of cell migration, and intracellular signal transduction. The validation of the expression of predicted target genes using quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that the expression of axon development-related genes, specifically actin-binding LIM protein 1 (Ablim1), lemur tyrosine kinase 2 (Lmtk2), kinesin family member 5c (Kif5c), neurofascin (Nfasc), and ephrin type-A receptor 4 (Epha4), was significantly decreased, while that of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) was significantly increased in the brain of Fkbp5-/- mice. These results suggest that axonal development-related genes can serve as potential targets in future studies focused on understanding the pathophysiology of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koeul Choi
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joonhee Lee
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo Jung Kang
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
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19
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Evaluation of miRNA as Biomarkers of Emotional Valence in Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072054. [PMID: 34359180 PMCID: PMC8300371 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072054] [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: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It is widely recognized that the assessment of animal welfare should include measures of positive emotional (affective) state. Existing behavioral and physiological indicators of a positive affective state frequently lack sensitivity, objectivity or are unsuitable in a production environment. Therefore, there is a need to develop new approaches to accurately and objectively measure a positive emotional state in animals, including novel molecular markers such a miRNA. These biomarkers must be measurable in the peripheral circulation and provide an accurate account of the physiological and molecular activity in regions of the brain associated with emotional processing. Further, such markers require validation against established behavioral and physiological indices. Here we investigated the efficacy of circulating miRNA as biomarkers of emotional state in the pig. Abstract The ability to assess the welfare of animals is dependent on our ability to accurately determine their emotional (affective) state, with particular emphasis being placed on the identification of positive emotions. The challenge remains that current physiological and behavioral indices are either unable to distinguish between positive and negative emotional states, or they are simply not suitable for a production environment. Therefore, the development of novel measures of animal emotion is a necessity. Here we investigated the efficacy of microRNA (miRNA) in the brain and blood as biomarkers of emotional state in the pig. Female Large White × Landrace pigs (n = 24) were selected at weaning and trained to perform a judgment bias test (JBT), before being exposed for 5 weeks to either enriched (n = 12) or barren housing (n = 12) conditions. Pigs were tested on the JBT once prior to treatment, and immediately following treatment. MiRNA and neurotransmitters were analyzed in blood and brain tissue after euthanasia. Treatment had no effect on the outcomes of the JBT. There was also no effect of treatment on miRNA expression in blood or the brain (FDR p > 0.05). However, pigs exposed to enriched housing had elevated dopamine within the striatum compared to pigs in barren housing (p = 0.02). The results imply that either (a) miRNAs are not likely to be valid biomarkers of a positive affective state, at least under the type of conditions employed in this study, or (b) that the study design used to modify affective state was not able to create differential affective states, and therefore establish the validity of miRNA as biomarkers.
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20
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Kichukova T, Petrov V, Popov N, Minchev D, Naimov S, Minkov I, Vachev T. Identification of serum microRNA signatures associated with autism spectrum disorder as promising candidate biomarkers. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07462. [PMID: 34286132 PMCID: PMC8278430 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07462] [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: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules with a well-recognized role in gene expression mostly at the post-transcriptional level. Recently, dysregulation of miRNAs and miRNA-mRNA interactions has been associated with CNS diseases, including numerous psychiatric disorders. Dynamic changes in the expression profiles of circulating miRNA are nowadays regarded as promising non-invasive biomarkers that may facilitate the accurate and timely diagnosis of complex conditions. Methods In this study, we investigated the gene expression patterns of four miRNAs, which were previously reported to be dysregulated in pooled serum samples taken from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients and typically developing children. The performance of a diagnostic model for ASD based on these four miRNAs was assessed by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, which evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of the investigated miRNA biomarkers for ASD. Finally, to examine the potential modulation of CNS-related biological pathways, we carried out target identification and pathway analyses of the selected miRNAs. Results Significant differential expression for all the four studied miRNAs: miR-500a-5p, miR-197-5p, miR-424-5p, and miR-664a-3p, was consistently measured in the samples from ASD patients. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for miR-500a-5p, miR-197-5p, and miR-424-5p. With all miRNA expression data integrated into an additive ROC curve, the combination of miR-500a-5p and miR-197-5p provided the most powerful diagnostic model. On the other hand, the mRNA target mining showed that miR-424-5p and miR-500-5p regulate pools of target mRNA molecules which are enriched in a number of biological pathways associated with the development and differentiation of the nervous system. Conclusions The steady expression patterns of miR-500a-5p, miR-197-5p, miR-424-5p, and miR-664a-3p in ASD children suggest that these miRNAs can be considered good candidates for non-invasive molecular biomarkers in the study of ASD patients. The highest diagnostic potential is manifested by miR-500a-5p and miR-197-5p, whose combined ROC curve demonstrates very strong predictive accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Kichukova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, "Paisii Hilendarski" University of Plovdiv, 24 Tzar Assen Street, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Veselin Petrov
- Department of Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Genetics, Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Nikolay Popov
- Psychiatric Ward for Active Treatment of Men, State Psychiatry Hospital Pazardzhik, Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
| | - Danail Minchev
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Plovdiv, 15-A Vassil Aprilov Blvd., Plovdiv, Bulgaria.,Division of Molecular and Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute at Medical University of 12 Plovdiv, 15A Vasil Aprilov Blvd, Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria
| | - Samir Naimov
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, "Paisii Hilendarski" University of Plovdiv, 24 Tzar Assen Street, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Ivan Minkov
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies (IMBB), Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Tihomir Vachev
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, "Paisii Hilendarski" University of Plovdiv, 24 Tzar Assen Street, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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21
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Brum CB, Paixão-Côrtes VR, Carvalho AM, Martins-Silva T, Carpena MX, Ulguim KF, Luquez KYS, Salatino-Oliveira A, Tovo-Rodrigues L. Genetic variants in miRNAs differentially expressed during brain development and their relevance to psychiatric disorders susceptibility. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:456-467. [PMID: 33040684 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1834618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in the expression of genes involved in brain functions during development. Genetic variants in miRNA genes may impact their regulatory function and lead to psychiatric disorders. To evaluate the role of genetic variants in genes of miRNAs differentially expressed during neurodevelopment on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS The miRNAs were identified in the literature. Summary statistics from the most recent genome-wide association studies to date were used to evaluate the association between the selected polymorphisms and each disorder in a look-up approach. In a global analysis, we compared the standardised risk effect of variants in neurodevelopment-related miRNAs with those in the remaining miRNAs from miRBase. RESULTS The global analysis showed that variants in neurodevelopment-related miRNAs had higher risk effects compared to the other miRNAs for SCZ (p = 0.010) and ADHD (p = 0.001). MIR33B, MIR29B2, MIR29C, MIR137, and MIR135A1 were significantly associated with SCZ, while 55.9% of the miRNAs were at least nominally associated with one or more psychiatric disorders (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Genetic variants in neurodevelopment-related miRNAs play an important role in the genetic susceptibility of psychiatric disorders, mainly SCZ and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarice Brinck Brum
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thais Martins-Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Marina Xavier Carpena
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Angélica Salatino-Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luciana Tovo-Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.,Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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22
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Heydari M, Hojati Z, Dehbashi M. Identification of Circulating hsa-miR-324-3p and hsa-miR-331-3p Exchanges in The Serum of Alzheimer's Patients and Insights into The Pathophysiological Pathways. CELL JOURNAL 2021; 23:211-217. [PMID: 34096222 PMCID: PMC8181312 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2021.7047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of dementia. Currently, there are not any existing and reliable methods for the prognosis or diagnosis of AD. Hence, finding a diagnostic/prognostic biomarker for AD helps physicians to prescribe the treatments and methods preventing disease progression. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are the most promising biomarkers due to their non-invasive and easily accessible for diagnosis and prognosis of AD. The aim of current study is to evaluate expression levels of two unwell-known circulating miRNAs including hsa-miR-324-3p and hsa-miR-331-3p in serums of AD patients and to understand their roles in AD physiopathogenesis by in silico analysis. Materials and Methods In this case and control study, to get the gene targets related to these two miRNAs, TargetScan, miRTargetLink Human and mirDIP web servers were applied. In addition, gene networks and gene ontology enrichment analysis were performed by STRING 10.5, KEGG and ShinyGO v0.41. Experimentally, expression levels of these two miRNAs in the serum of 21 patients with AD and 23 healthy individuals were compared using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. Results The pathophysiological pathways associated with these two miRNAs were nucleotide metabolism and cellular response to stress pathway. Furthermore, the upregulated expression levels of hsa-miR-324-3p and hsa-miR-331-3p in comparison with the healthy control serums were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Non-significant results were obtained from the expression levels of AD patients and two significant pathways were obtained by networks and gene enrichment analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Heydari
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Hojati
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Moein Dehbashi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
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23
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Jovasevic V, Radulovic J. High ethanol preference and dissociated memory are co-occurring phenotypes associated with hippocampal GABA AR-δ receptor levels. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 183:107459. [PMID: 34015441 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently co-occurs with dissociative disorders and disorders with dissociative symptoms, suggesting a common neurobiological basis. It has been proposed that facilitated information processing under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the formation of dissociated memories, might be an important factor controlling alcohol use. Access to such memories is facilitated under the effect of alcohol, thus further reinforcing alcohol use. To interrogate possible mechanisms associated with these phenotypes, we used a mouse model of dissociative amnesia, combined with a high-alcohol preferring (HAP) model of AUD. Dissociated memory was induced by activation of hippocampal extrasynaptic GABA type A receptor delta subunits (GABAAR-δ), which control tonic inhibition and to which ethanol binds with high affinity. Increased ethanol preference was associated with increased propensity to form dissociated memories dependent on GABAAR-δ in the dorsal hippocampus (DH). Furthermore, the DH level of GABAAR-δ protein, but not mRNA, was increased in HAP mice, and was inversely correlated to the level of miR-365-3p, suggesting an miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional mechanism contributing to elevated GABAAR-δ. The observed changes of DH GABAAR-δ were associated with a severe reduction of excitatory projections stemming from GABAAR-δ-containing pyramidal neurons in the subiculum and terminating in the mammillary body. These results suggest that both molecular and circuit dysfunction involving hippocampal GABAAR-δ receptors might contribute to the co-occurrence of ethanol preference and dissociated information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jelena Radulovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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24
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Balakathiresan NS, Bhomia M, Zhai M, Sweeten BLW, Wellman LL, Sanford LD, Knollmann-Ritschel B. MicroRNAs in Basolateral Amygdala Associated with Stress and Fear Memories Regulate Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Rats. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11040489. [PMID: 33921465 PMCID: PMC8069888 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11040489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress-related sleep disturbances are distressing clinical symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder patients. Intensely stressful events and their memories change rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in animal models. REM sleep varies with individual differences of stress resilience or vulnerability. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a primary mediator of the effects of stress and fear memories on sleep. However, the molecular mechanisms in BLA regulating the effects of fear conditioning, shock training (ST) and context re-exposure (CTX) on REM sleep are not well known. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs and posttranscriptional gene regulators of diverse biological processes. The aim of this study is to investigate ST- and CTX-altered miRNAs in the BLA of resilience and vulnerable animals and on REM sleep regulation. MiRNAs expression profiles in BLA were generated following ST and CTX using the Taqman Low Density rodent microRNA array. The altered BLA miRNAs expression and REM sleep reduction observed in ST and CTX vulnerable animals. AntagomiR-221 microinjection into BLA for one of the upregulated miRNAs, miR-221 in BLA, attenuated the REM sleep reduction. This study suggests that miRNAs in the BLA may play a significant role in mediating the effects of stress and fear memories on REM sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagaraja S. Balakathiresan
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Manish Bhomia
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
| | - Min Zhai
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
| | - Brook L. W. Sweeten
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Laurie L. Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Larry D. Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Barbara Knollmann-Ritschel
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
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25
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Luo PX, Manning CE, Fass JN, Williams AV, Hao R, Campi KL, Trainor BC. Sex-specific effects of social defeat stress on miRNA expression in the anterior BNST. Behav Brain Res 2021; 401:113084. [PMID: 33358922 PMCID: PMC7864284 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Women are more likely to suffer from stress-related affective disorders than men, but the underlying mechanisms of sex differences remain unclear. Previous works show that microRNA (miRNA) profiles are altered in stressed animals and patients with depression and anxiety disorders. In this study, we investigated how miRNA expression in the anterior bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) was affected by social defeat stress in female and male California mice (Peromyscus californicus). We performed sequencing to identify miRNA transcripts in the whole brain and anterior BNST followed by qPCR analysis to compare miRNA expression between control and stressed animals. The results showed that social defeat stress induced sex-specific miRNA expression changes in the anterior BNST. Let-7a, let-7f and miR-181a-5p were upregulated in stressed female but not male mice. Our study provided evidence that social stress produces distinct molecular responses in the BNST of males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei X Luo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Claire E Manning
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Joe N Fass
- Bioinformatics Core and Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Alexia V Williams
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Rebecca Hao
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Katharine L Campi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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26
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Elliott JM, Rueckeis CA, Pan Y, Parrish TB, Walton DM, Linnstaedt SD. microRNA let-7i-5p mediates the relationship between muscle fat infiltration and neck pain disability following motor vehicle collision: a preliminary study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3140. [PMID: 33542428 PMCID: PMC7862492 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82734-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent neck-pain disability (PNPD) is common following traumatic stress exposures such as motor vehicle collision (MVC). Substantial literature indicates that fat infiltration into neck muscle (MFI) is associated with post-MVC PNPD. However, little is known about the molecular mediators underlying this association. In the current study, we assessed whether microRNA expression signatures predict PNPD and whether microRNA mediate the relationship between neck MFI and PNPD. A nested cohort of 43 individuals from a longitudinal study of MVC survivors, who provided blood (PAXgene RNA) and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were included in the current study. Peritraumatic microRNA expression levels were quantified via small RNA sequencing, neck MFI via MRI, and PNPD via the Neck Disability Index two-weeks, three-months, and twelve-months following MVC. Repeated measures regression models were used to assess the relationship between microRNA and PNPD and to perform mediation analyses. Seventeen microRNA predicted PNPD following MVC. One microRNA, let-7i-5p, mediated the relationship between neck MFI and PNPD. Peritraumatic blood-based microRNA expression levels predict PNPD following MVC and let-7i-5p might contribute to the underlying effects of neck MFI on persistent disability. In conclusion, additional studies are needed to validate this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Elliott
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The Northern Sydney Local Health District, The Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Cathleen A Rueckeis
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Campus Box #7010, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7010, USA
| | - Yue Pan
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Campus Box #7010, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7010, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Todd B Parrish
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David M Walton
- School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah D Linnstaedt
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Campus Box #7010, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7010, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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27
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Dong Y, Xiong J, Ji L, Xue X. MiR-421 Aggravates Neurotoxicity and Promotes Cell Death in Parkinson's Disease Models by Directly Targeting MEF2D. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:299-308. [PMID: 33179210 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03166-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective loss of dopaminergic neurons, which reduces quality of life of patients and poses a heavy burden to the society. The pathological mechanism of PD remains unclear, and increasing efforts are aimed to solve this problem. MiRNAs are a kind of small noncoding RNA regulating target gene expression. Previous studies have shown that dysregulation of miRNAs is involved in the development of PD. In the present study, we determined that miR-421 and MEF2D are increased and decreased, respectively, in a cellular model of PD. The data on the mechanism of action indicate that miR-421 directly binds to MEF2D mRNA and negatively regulates MEF2D expression. An increase in miR-421 disrupted the Bcl2/Bax system. Functional assays indicated that enhanced miR-421 promotes cell death by negative modulation of MEF2D expression. Inhibition of miR-421 or restoration of MEF2D protected neurons from neurotoxicity in cellular and animal models of PD. Our study is the first to demonstrate that miR-421 is decreased in PD models and to determine a novel putative mechanism of PD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Dong
- Department of Neurology, Xi'an central hospital, No. 161 Xi Wu Road, Xi'an, 710000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Xi'an central hospital, No. 161 Xi Wu Road, Xi'an, 710000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liya Ji
- Department of Neurology, Xi'an central hospital, No. 161 Xi Wu Road, Xi'an, 710000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiuyun Xue
- Department of Neurology, Xi'an central hospital, No. 161 Xi Wu Road, Xi'an, 710000, Shaanxi, China.
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28
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MicroRNA-19b predicts widespread pain and posttraumatic stress symptom risk in a sex-dependent manner following trauma exposure. Pain 2021; 161:47-60. [PMID: 31569141 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic widespread pain (PTWP) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are frequent comorbid sequelae of trauma that occur at different rates in women and men. We sought to identify microRNA (miRNA) that may contribute to sex-dependent differences in vulnerability to these outcomes. Monte Carlo simulations (x10,000) identified miRNA in which predicted targeting of PTWP or PTSS genes was most enriched. Expression of the leading candidate miRNA to target PTWP/PTSS-related genes, miR-19b, has been shown to be influenced by estrogen and stress exposure. We evaluated whether peritraumatic miR-19b blood expression levels predicted PTWP and PTSS development in women and men experiencing trauma of motor vehicle collision (n = 179) and in women experiencing sexual assault trauma (n = 74). A sex-dependent relationship was observed between miR-19b expression levels and both PTWP (β = -2.41, P = 0.034) and PTSS (β = -3.01, P = 0.008) development 6 months after motor vehicle collision. The relationship between miR-19b and PTSS (but not PTWP) was validated in sexual assault survivors (β = -0.91, P = 0.013). Sex-dependent expression of miR-19b was also observed in blood and nervous tissue from 2 relevant animal models. Furthermore, in support of increasing evidence indicating a role for the circadian rhythm (CR) in PTWP and PTSS pathogenesis, miR-19b targets were enriched in CR gene transcripts. Human cohort and in vitro analyses assessing miR-19b regulation of key CR transcripts, CLOCK and RORA, supported the potential importance of miR-19b to regulating the CR pathway. Together, these results highlight the potential role that sex-dependent expression of miR-19b might play in PTWP and PTSS development after trauma/stress exposure.
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29
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Crigna AT, Samec M, Koklesova L, Liskova A, Giordano FA, Kubatka P, Golubnitschaja O. Cell-free nucleic acid patterns in disease prediction and monitoring-hype or hope? EPMA J 2020; 11:603-627. [PMID: 33144898 PMCID: PMC7594983 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-020-00226-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Interest in the use of cell-free nucleic acids (CFNAs) as clinical non-invasive biomarker panels for prediction and prevention of multiple diseases has greatly increased over the last decade. Indeed, circulating CFNAs are attributable to many physiological and pathological processes such as imbalanced stress conditions, physical activities, extensive apoptosis of different origin, systemic hypoxic-ischemic events and tumour progression, amongst others. This article highlights the involvement of circulating CFNAs in local and systemic processes dealing with the question, whether specific patterns of CFNAs in blood, their detection, quantity and quality (such as their methylation status) might be instrumental to predict a disease development/progression and could be further utilised for accompanying diagnostics, targeted prevention, creation of individualised therapy algorithms, therapy monitoring and prognosis. Presented considerations conform with principles of 3P medicine and serve for improving individual outcomes and cost efficacy of medical services provided to the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Torres Crigna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marek Samec
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Koklesova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alena Liskova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Frank A. Giordano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive, Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Zheng L, Tang X, Lu M, Sun S, Xie S, Cai J, Zan J. microRNA-421-3p prevents inflammatory response in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through targeting m6A Reader YTHDF1 to inhibit p65 mRNA translation. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 88:106937. [PMID: 32890792 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death globally, and inflammation is considered as a vital contributor to the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Recently, microRNA-421-3p-derived macrophages is found to promote motor function recovery in spinal cord injury. Here, we explored whether microRNA-421-3p is involved in inflammation responses during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its molecular mechanism. METHODS An in vivo experimental animal model of intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and in vitro model of microglial subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) were used. The effects of microRNA-421-3p on cerebral I/R injury and its underlying mechanism were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, RNA immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, luciferase reporter assay, and bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS We find that microRNA-421-3p is significantly decreased in cerebral I/R injury in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, overexpression of microRNA-421-3p evidently suppresses pro-inflammatory factor expressions and inhibits NF-κB p65 protein expression and nuclear translocation in BV2 microglia cells treated with OGD/R. However, microRNA-421-3p neither promotes p65 mRNA expression, nor affects p65 mRNA or protein stability. Moreover, we find the m6A 'reader' protein YTH domain family protein 1 (YTHDF1) is the specific target of microRNA-421-3p, and YTHDF1 specifically binds to the m6a site of p65 mRNA to promote its translation. CONCLUSION microRNA-421-3p prevents inflammatory response in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through targeting YTHDF1 to inhibit p65 mRNA translation. These findings provide novel insights into understanding the molecular pathogenesis of cerebral I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linbo Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second People's Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510310, China
| | - Xialin Tang
- The Second Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Minyi Lu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuangxi Sun
- The Second Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shanshan Xie
- The Second Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jun Cai
- The Second Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jie Zan
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second People's Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510310, China.
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Solich J, Kuśmider M, Faron-Górecka A, Pabian P, Kolasa M, Zemła B, Dziedzicka-Wasylewska M. Serum Level of miR-1 and miR-155 as Potential Biomarkers of Stress-Resilience of NET-KO and SWR/J Mice. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040917. [PMID: 32283635 PMCID: PMC7226811 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we used three strains of mice with various susceptibility to stress: mice with knock-out of the gene encoding norepinephrine transporter (NET-KO), which are well characterized as displaying a stress-resistant phenotype, as well as two strains of mice displaying two different stress-coping strategies, i.e., C57BL/6J (WT in the present study) and SWR/J. The procedure of restraint stress (RS, 4 h) was applied, and the following behavioral experiments (the forced swim test and sucrose preference test) indicated that NET-KO and SWR/J mice were less sensitive to RS than WT mice. Then, we aimed to find the miRNAs which changed in similar ways in the serum of NET-KO and SWR/J mice subjected to RS, being at the same time different from the miRNAs found in the serum of WT mice. Using Custom TaqMan Array MicroRNA Cards, with primers for majority of miRNAs expressed in the serum (based on a preliminary experiment using the TaqMan Array Rodent MicroRNA A + B Cards Set v3.0, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) allowed the identification of 21 such miRNAs. Our further analysis focused on miR-1 and miR-155 and their targets—these two miRNAs are involved in the regulation of BDNF expression and can be regarded as biomarkers of stress-resilience.
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Li L, Zheng Y, Zheng Q, Jiang J. Mechanism of inhibiting proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma Hepa1-6 cells by embryonic stem cell-conditioned medium. Exp Ther Med 2020; 19:2406-2414. [PMID: 32226485 PMCID: PMC7092933 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative effect of embryonic stem cell-conditioned medium (ESC-CM) on the mouse liver cancer Hepa1-6 cells in vitro. Furthermore, in order to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism, the microRNAs (miRNAs) in ESC-CM associated with the inhibition of Hepa1-6 proliferation were identified. Following the co-culture of ESC-CM and Hepa1-6 in Transwell chambers, the proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and associated protein expression were determined in Hepal-6 cells. Moreover, miRNA array analysis was employed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. Based on the differentially expressed miRNAs, the target genes and potential associated signaling pathways were determined. Finally, RT-qPCR was conducted to confirm the above results. The ESC-CM inhibited Hepal-6 cell proliferation and increased the percentage of cells at G1 phase and decreased the percentage of cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. The expression of cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/CDK6 was decreased following co-culture, with no effect on cell apoptosis. Six significantly regulated miRNAs were identified and 423 putative target genes of these regulated miRNAs were predicted. Gene ontology analysis revealed the putative target genes to be associated with the ‘DNA replication (GO: 0006260)’ GO term, ‘apoptosis’ and ‘signal transduction’. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis indicated that deregulated miRNAs were enriched in the Wnt signaling (KEGG entry: Map 04310) and Hippo signaling pathways (KEGG entry: Map 04390), pathways associated with cancer. Overall, the present study demonstrated the inhibition of Hepa1-6 cell line proliferation upon treatment with ESC-CM, by decreasing cell cycle-associated protein cyclin D1/CDK4/CDK6 expression and arresting cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle, with no effect on cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the inhibition of proliferation by ESC-CM may be mediated by miRNAs that affect cell cycle-associated mRNAs and the Wnt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longqin Li
- Liver Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Yichao Zheng
- Liver Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Qi Zheng
- Liver Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
| | - Jiaji Jiang
- Liver Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, P.R. China
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Roy B, Dunbar M, Agrawal J, Allen L, Dwivedi Y. Amygdala-Based Altered miRNome and Epigenetic Contribution of miR-128-3p in Conferring Susceptibility to Depression-Like Behavior via Wnt Signaling. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:165-177. [PMID: 32173733 PMCID: PMC7171932 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyz071] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) can participate in depression pathogenesis by altering a host of genes that are critical in corticolimbic functioning. The present study focuses on examining whether alterations in the miRNA network in the amygdala are associated with susceptibility or resiliency to develop depression-like behavior in rats. METHODS Amygdala-specific altered miRNA transcriptomics were determined in a rat depression model following next-generation sequencing method. Target prediction analyses (cis- and trans) and qPCR-based assays were performed to decipher the functional role of altered miRNAs. miRNA-specific target interaction was determined using in vitro transfection assay in neuroblastoma cell line. miRNA-specific findings from the rat in vivo model were further replicated in postmortem amygdala of major depressive disorder (MDD) subjects. RESULTS Changes in miRNome identified 17 significantly upregulated and 8 significantly downregulated miRNAs in amygdala of learned helpless (LH) compared with nonlearned helpless rats. Prediction analysis showed that the majority of the upregulated miRNAs had target genes enriched for the Wnt signaling pathway. Among altered miRNAs, upregulated miR-128-3p was identified as a top hit based on statistical significance and magnitude of change in LH rats. Target validation showed significant downregulation of Wnt signaling genes in amygdala of LH rats. A discernable increase in expression of amygdalar miR-128-3p along with significant downregulation of key target genes from Wnt signaling (WNT5B, DVL, and LEF1) was noted in MDD subjects. Overexpression of miR-128-3p in a cellular model lead to a marked decrease in the expression of Dvl1 and Lef1 genes, confirming them as validated targets of miR-128-3p. Additional evidence suggested that the amygdala-specific diminished expression of transcriptional repressor Snai1 could be potentially linked to induced miR-128-2 expression in LH rats. Furthermore, an amygdala-specific posttranscriptional switching mechanism could be active between miR-128-3p and RNA binding protein Arpp21 to gain control over their target genes such as Lef1. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that in amygdala a specific set of miRNAs may play an important role in depression susceptibility, which could potentially be mediated through Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaskar Roy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Michael Dunbar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Juhee Agrawal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Lauren Allen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Yogesh Dwivedi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama,Correspondence: Yogesh Dwivedi, PhD, Elesabeth Ridgely Shook Professor, Director of Translational Research, UAB Mood Disorder Program, Co-Director, UAB Depression and Suicide Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, SC711 Sparks Center, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL ()
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Serafini G, Trabucco A, Amerio A, Aguglia A, Amore M. Commentary on the study of Roy et al. Amygdala Based Altered mir-128-3p in Conferring Susceptibility to Depression-like Behavior via Wnt Signalling. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:178-180. [PMID: 32072167 PMCID: PMC7171930 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of Roy and colleagues recently accepted for publication in International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology is a very interesting report investigating the role of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in vulnerability or resistance to major depressive disorder in a specific brain region (e.g., amygdala). MiRNAs may act as a mega-controller of gene expression being involved in the pathogenesis of major neuropsychiatric conditions. Interestingly, some of the altered miRNAs (e.g., hsa-miR-425-3p, miR-425, miR-674-3p, and miR-873-3p) identified in this study were found to be dysregulated even in existing studies, but several methodological issues may hamper the translation of basic research findings in clinical studies. MiRNAs are proposed as possible biomarkers of disease and treatment response to disentangle the biological complexity underlying major affective disorders. The main implications regarding the present findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Childhood Sciences, Psychiatry Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova,Correspondence: Gianluca Serafini, MD, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy ()
| | - Alice Trabucco
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Childhood Sciences, Psychiatry Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - Andrea Amerio
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Childhood Sciences, Psychiatry Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova,Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Andrea Aguglia
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Childhood Sciences, Psychiatry Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova
| | - Mario Amore
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Childhood Sciences, Psychiatry Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
MicroRNAs as critical regulators of gene expression important for functions including neuronal development, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity have been linked with the regulation of neurobiological systems that underlie anxiety processing in the brain. In this chapter, we give an update on associative evidence linking regulation of microRNAs with anxiety- and trauma-related disorders. Moving beyond correlative research, functional studies have emerged recently that explore causal relationships between microRNA expression and anxiety-like behavior. It has been demonstrated that experimental up- or downregulation of the candidate microRNAs in important nodes of the anxiety neurocircuitry can indeed modulate anxiety-related behavior in animal models. Improved methodologies for assessing microRNA-mediated modulation have aided such functional studies, revealing a number of anxiety-regulating microRNAs including miR-15a, miR-17-92, miR-34, miR-101, miR-124, miR-135, and miR-155. Important functional target genes of these identified microRNAs are associated with specific neurotransmitter/neuromodulator signaling, neurotrophin (e.g., BDNF) expression and other aspects of synaptic plasticity, as well as with stress-regulatory/hypothalamic-pituitary-axis function. Furthermore, microRNAs have been revealed that are regulated in distinct brain regions following various anxiety-attenuating strategies. These include pharmacological treatments such as antidepressants and other drugs, as well as non-pharmacological interventions such as fear extinction/exposure therapy or positive stimuli such as exposure to environmental enrichment. These are first indications for a role for microRNAs in the mechanism of action of anxiolytic treatments. As research continues, there is much hope that a deeper understanding of the microRNA-mediated mechanisms underlying anxiety-related disorders could open up possibilities for future novel biomarker and treatment strategies.
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Pinchi E, Luigi C, Paola S, Gianpietro V, Raoul T, Mauro A, Paola F. MicroRNAs: The New Challenge for Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:319-331. [PMID: 31729300 PMCID: PMC7327940 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666191113100808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The acronym TBI refers to traumatic brain injury, an alteration of brain function, or an evidence of brain pathology, that is caused by an external force. TBI is estimated to become the third leading cause of permanent disability and mortality worldwide. TBI-related injuries can be classified in many ways, according to the degree of severity or the pathophysiology of brain injury (primary and secondary damage). Numerous cellular pathways act in secondary brain damage: excitotoxicity (mediated by excitatory neurotransmitters), free radical generation (due to mitochondrial impairment), neuroinflammatory response (due to central nervous system and immunoactivation) and apoptosis. In this scenario, microRNAs are implicated in the regulation of almost all genes at the post-transcriptional level. Several microRNAs have been demonstrated to be specifically expressed in particular cerebral areas; moreover, physiological changes in microRNA expression during normal cerebral development upon the establishment of neural networks have been characterized. More importantly, microRNAs show profound alteration in expression in response to brain pathological states, both traumatic or not. This review summarizes the most important molecular networks involved in TBI and examines the most recent and important findings on TBI-related microRNAs, both in animal and clinical studies. The importance of microRNA research holds promise to find biomarkers able to unearth primary and secondary molecular patterns altered upon TBI, to ultimately identify key points of regulation, as a valuable support in forensic pathology and potential therapeutic targets for clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Pinchi
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; E-mail:
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Snijders C, Krauskopf J, Pishva E, Eijssen L, Machiels B, Kleinjans J, Kenis G, van den Hove D, Kim MO, Boks MPM, Vinkers CH, Vermetten E, Geuze E, Rutten BPF, de Nijs L. Circulating Serum MicroRNAs as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study. Front Genet 2019; 10:1042. [PMID: 31824554 PMCID: PMC6883918 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can develop upon exposure to a traumatic event. While most people are able to recover promptly, others are at increased risk of developing PTSD. However, the exact underlying biological mechanisms of differential susceptibility are unknown. Identifying biomarkers of PTSD could assist in its diagnosis and facilitate treatment planning. Here, we identified serum microRNAs (miRNAs) of subjects that underwent a traumatic event and aimed to assess their potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers of PTSD. Next-generation sequencing was performed to examine circulating miRNA profiles of 24 members belonging to the Dutch military cohort Prospective Research in Stress-Related Military Operations (PRISMO). Three groups were selected: "susceptible" subjects who developed PTSD after combat exposure, "resilient" subjects without PTSD, and nonexposed control subjects (N = 8 per group). Differential expression analysis revealed 22 differentially expressed miRNAs in PTSD subjects compared to controls and 1 in PTSD subjects compared to resilient individuals (after multiple testing correction and a log2 fold-change cutoff of ≥|1|). Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified a module of coexpressed miRNAs which could distinguish between the three groups. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analyses suggest that the miRNAs with the highest module memberships could have a strong diagnostic accuracy as reflected by high areas under the curves. Overall, the results of our pilot study suggest that serum miRNAs could potentially serve as diagnostic biomarkers of PTSD, both individually or grouped within a cluster of coexpressed miRNAs. Larger studies are now needed to validate and build upon these preliminary findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Julian Krauskopf
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ehsan Pishva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Eijssen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Bioinformatics (BiGCaT), NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Barbie Machiels
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jos Kleinjans
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Myeong Ok Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Marco P. M. Boks
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Psychiatry, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H. Vinkers
- Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Arq, Psychotrauma Research Expert Group, Diemen, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Military Mental Healthcare, Netherlands Ministry of Defense, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Elbert Geuze
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Psychiatry, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Military Mental Healthcare, Netherlands Ministry of Defense, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bart P. F. Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Wang Z, Du X, Yang Y, Zhang G. Study on miR-384-5p activates TGF-β signaling pathway to promote neuronal damage in abutment nucleus of rats based on deep learning. Artif Intell Med 2019; 101:101740. [DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2019.101740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Distinct Profiles of Cell-Free MicroRNAs in Plasma of Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8070963. [PMID: 31277223 PMCID: PMC6678393 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8070963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in body fluids has been reported in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent studies of various diseases showed that extracellular vesicles (EV) in body fluids can provide different spectra of circulating miRNAs and disease-associated signatures from whole fluid or EV-depleted fraction. However, the association of miRNAs in EVs to PTSD has not been studied. In this study, we performed a comprehensive profiling of miRNAs in whole plasma, extracellular vesicles (EV) and EV-depleted plasma (EVD) samples collected from combat veterans with PTSD and matched controls by utilizing a next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform. In total, 520 circulating miRNAs were quantified from 24 male Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans with (n = 12) and without (n = 12) PTSD. The overall miRNA profiles in whole plasma, EV and EVD fractions were different and miRNAs affected by PTSD were also distinct in each sample type. The concentration changes of miR-203a-3p in EV and miR-339-5p in EVD were confirmed in an independent validation cohort that consisted of 20 veterans (10 with and 10 without PTSD) using qPCR. The target genes of these two miRNAs were involved in signaling pathways and comorbid conditions associated with PTSD (e.g., neurotransmitter systems such as dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling, inflammatory response, and cardiovascular diseases). Our findings suggest that PTSD may have different impacts on miRNAs encapsulated in vesicles and outside of vesicles. Further studies using larger samples are needed to evaluate the utility of these miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for PTSD.
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Zurawek D, Gruca P, Antkiewicz-Michaluk L, Dziedzicka-Wasylewska M. Resilient Phenotype in Chronic Mild Stress Paradigm Is Associated with Altered Expression Levels of miR-18a-5p and Serotonin 5-HT 1a Receptor in Dorsal Part of the Hippocampus. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7680-7693. [PMID: 31098953 PMCID: PMC6815272 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1622-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Disturbed serotonergic signaling in the hippocampus observed in many individuals vulnerable to stress has been suggested as one of the primary factors contributing to the development of depression. However, little is known about the physiology of the brain in the resilient phenotype. Resilient subjects maintain a positive mood and psychological balance despite being under the stress influence. In our study, we generated stress-vulnerable and resilient rats by using a chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm. Using different molecular approaches, we revealed that resilient animals exhibited a significantly decreased expression level of miR-18a-5p and, in the same time, an elevated level of 5-HT1AR in dorsal, but not ventral, part of the hippocampus. Described biochemical changes were not observed in animals behaviorally vulnerable to stress. Further, in vitro analysis showed that miR-18a-5p may be a negative epigenetic regulator of 5-HT1AR since the treatment of adult hippocampal neurons with miR-18a-5p mimic significantly lowered the expression level of mRNA encoding 5-HT1AR. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis of potential target genes expressed in the hippocampus and being regulated by miR-18a-5p showed that this microRNA may regulate biological processes, such as axonogenesis, which are important in the functioning of the hippocampus in both rats and humans. All these molecular features may contribute to serotonergic homeostatic balance at the level of serotonin turnover observed in hippocampi of resilient but not stress-vulnerable rats. Delineation of further molecular and biochemical markers underlying resilience to stress may contribute to the development of new antidepressant strategies which will restore resilient phenotype in depressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Zurawek
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of General Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland. .,Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Piotr Gruca
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lucyna Antkiewicz-Michaluk
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Pharmacology, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Dziedzicka-Wasylewska
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
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41
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Snijders C, de Nijs L, Baker DG, Hauger RL, van den Hove D, Kenis G, Nievergelt CM, Boks MP, Vermetten E, Gage FH, Rutten BPF. MicroRNAs in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 38:23-46. [PMID: 29063484 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can develop following exposure to or witnessing of a (potentially) threatening event. A critical issue is to pinpoint the (neuro)biological mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to stress-related disorder such as PTSD, which develops in the minority of ~15% of individuals exposed to trauma. Over the last few years, a first wave of epigenetic studies has been performed in an attempt to identify the molecular underpinnings of the long-lasting behavioral and mental effects of trauma exposure. The potential roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in moderating or mediating the impact of severe stress and trauma are increasingly gaining attention. To date, most studies focusing on the roles of miRNAs in PTSD have, however, been completed in animals, using cross-sectional study designs and focusing almost exclusively on subjects with susceptible phenotypes. Therefore, there is a strong need for new research comprising translational and cross-species approaches that use longitudinal designs for studying trajectories of change contrasting susceptible and resilient subjects. The present review offers a comprehensive overview of available studies of miRNAs in PTSD and discusses the current challenges, pitfalls, and future perspectives of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Dewleen G Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Richard L Hauger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marco P Boks
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Military Mental Health Research Center, Ministry of Defense, P.O. Box 90000, Utrecht, 3509 AA, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
- Arq Psychotrauma Research Group, Diemen, 1112 XE, The Netherlands
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands.
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42
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Ramos Costa AP, Levone BR, Gururajan A, Moloney G, Hoeller AA, Lino-de-Oliveira C, Dinan TG, O'Leary OF, Monteiro de Lima TC, Cryan JF. Enduring effects of muscarinic receptor activation on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, microRNA expression and behaviour. Behav Brain Res 2019; 362:188-198. [PMID: 30650342 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The cholinergic system is one of the most important neurotransmitter systems in the brain with key roles in autonomic control and the regulation of cognitive and emotional responses. However, the precise mechanism by which the cholinergic system influences behaviour is unclear. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) is a potential mediator in this context based on evidence, which has identified this process as putative mechanism of antidepressant action. More recently, post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs is another candidate mechanism based on its involvement in the regulation of AHN and neurotransmission. Taking into account this background, we evaluated the behavioural effects of a non-convulsant dose of pilocarpine - a non-selective muscarinic receptor (mAChR) agonist - in adult Wistar rats. Furthermore, we quantified the expression of different microRNAs implicated in the regulation of AHN. Our results suggests that pilocarpine treatment increases AHN in the granular cell layer but also induced ectopic neurogenesis. Pilocarpine treatment reduced immobility time in forced swimming test but did not affect fear conditioning response, sucrose preference or novelty supressed feeding behaviour. In addition, treatment with pilocarpine down-regulated the expression of 6 microRNAs implicated in the regulation of neurotrophin signalling and axon guidance pathways. Therefore, we suggest that the low-dose stimulation of the cholinergic system is sufficient to alter AHN of rats through post-transcriptional mechanisms, which might contribute to long-lasting behavioural effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Ramos Costa
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Anand Gururajan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Moloney
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Alexandre A Hoeller
- Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olivia F O'Leary
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | | | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland.
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43
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Abstract
Resilience is defined as the dynamic ability to adapt successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, or significant threat. Some of the key early studies of resilience were observational studies in children. They were followed by research in adults, studies testing interventions to promote resilience in different populations, and a recent upsurge of studies on the underlying genomic and neurobiological mechanisms. Neural and molecular studies in preclinical models of resilience are also increasingly identifying active stress adaptations in resilient animals. Knowledge gained from animal and human studies of resilience can be harnessed to develop new preventive interventions to enhance resilience in at-risk populations. Further, treatment interventions focused on enhancing potentially modifiable protective factors that are consistently linked to psychological resilience can enrich currently available treatment interventions for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Translating our expanding knowledge of the neurobiology of resilience additionally promises to yield novel therapeutic strategies for treating this disabling condition. This review summarizes the vast field of resilience research spanning genomic, psychosocial, and neurobiological levels, and discusses how findings have led and can lead to new preventive and treatment interventions for PTSD.
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44
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Ji LL, Ye Y, Nie PY, Peng JB, Fu CH, Wang ZY, Tong L. Dysregulation of miR-142 results in anxiety-like behaviors following single prolonged stress. Behav Brain Res 2019; 365:157-163. [PMID: 30857769 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent mental disorder that is classified as a trauma- and stressor-related disorder. While numerous epigenetic factors are related to the risk for PTSD, the precise mechanisms underlying this disorder remain unclear. However, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that dysregulation of microRNAs is involved in stress-related psychiatric disorders, resulting in anxiety-like behavior, memory-related deficits and aberrant neuronal plasticity. Here, rats exposed to single prolonged stress showed increased microRNA-142-5p levels in the amygdala and a concurrent reduction in the levels of its predicted target Npas4, an activity-regulated transcription factor, which was implicated in stress-related psychopathologies. In addition, the inhibition of microRNA-142 following exposure to single prolonged stress exhibited decreased anxiety-like behaviors and memory deficits, as well as increased expression of Npas4 and BDNF. Furthermore, a dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that Npas4 was a direct downstream target of miR-142. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-142 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Ji
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Ye
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng-Yin Nie
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Bo Peng
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Hai Fu
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Yu Wang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Tong
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
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45
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Sillivan SE, Jones ME, Jamieson S, Rumbaugh G, Miller CA. Bioinformatic analysis of long-lasting transcriptional and translational changes in the basolateral amygdala following acute stress. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209846. [PMID: 30629705 PMCID: PMC6328204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress profoundly impacts the brain and increases the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder. The brain’s response to stress is mediated by a number of pathways that affect gene expression and protein function throughout the cell. Understanding how stress achieves such dramatic effects on the brain requires an understanding of the brain’s stress response pathways. The majority of studies focused on molecular changes have employed repeated or chronic stress paradigms to assess the long-term consequences of stress and have not taken an integrative genomic and/or proteomic approach. Here, we determined the lasting impact of a single stressful event (restraint) on the broad molecular profile of the basolateral amygdala complex (BLC), a key brain region mediating emotion, memory and stress. Molecular profiling performed thirty days post-restraint consisted of small RNA sequencing, RNA sequencing and quantitative mass spectrometry and identified long-lasting changes in microRNA (miRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins. Alignment of the three datasets further delineated the regulation of stress-specific pathways which were validated by qPCR and Western Blot analysis. From this analysis, mir-29a-5p was identified as a putative regulator of stress-induced adaptations in the BLC. Further, a number of predicted mir-29a-5p targets are regulated at the mRNA and protein level. The concerted and long-lasting disruption of multiple molecular pathways in the amygdala by a single stress event is expected to be sufficient to alter behavioral responses to a wide array of future experiences, including exposure to additional stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E. Sillivan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Meghan E. Jones
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sarah Jamieson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Gavin Rumbaugh
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Courtney A. Miller
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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46
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Stress-associated changes in salivary microRNAs can be detected in response to the Trier Social Stress Test: An exploratory study. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7112. [PMID: 29740073 PMCID: PMC5940676 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25554-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is an important co-factor for the genesis and maintenance of many diseases and is known to have an effect on gene expression via epigenetic regulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) appear to function as one of the key factors of this regulation. This is the first study to investigate the response of 11 stress-associated miRNAs in human saliva - as a non-invasive source - in an experimental condition of acute psychological stress, and also their correlation with established psychological (subjective stress perception), physiological (heart rate and heart rate variability) and biochemical stress parameters (salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase). 24 healthy participants between 20 and 35 years of age were investigated, using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) to induce acute psychological stress. Stress-associated changes were significant for miR-20b, -21 and 26b, and changes in miR-16 and -134 were close to significance, recommending further research on these miRNAs in the context of stress reactions. Significant correlations with alpha-amylase suggest their integration in sympathetic stress regulation processes. Additionally, our results demonstrate the TSST as a reliable tool for studying salivary miRNAs as non-invasive indicators of epigenetic processes in acute psychological stress reactions.
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47
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Camkurt MA, Güneş S, Coşkun S, Fındıklı E. Peripheral Signatures of Psychiatric Disorders: MicroRNAs. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2017; 15:313-319. [PMID: 29073742 PMCID: PMC5678491 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2017.15.4.313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 22 nucleotide long RNA transcripts, their synthesis starts in nucleus and continues in cytoplasm. As being critical for post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression they have been investigated in psychiatric disorders. There are numerous studies performed in peripheral tissues for psychiatric disorders. Here in this article, we aimed to review some common miRNAs denoted significant in at least two studies and their relevance to psychiatric research. We focused on miR-320, miR-106, miR-34, miR-223, miR-107, and miR-134.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Akif Camkurt
- Department of Psychiatry, Afşin State Hospital, Afşin, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey
| | - Serkan Güneş
- Department of Child and Adolescent Pscyhiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Salih Coşkun
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle Univesity, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Ebru Fındıklı
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey
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48
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Murphy CP, Singewald N. Potential of microRNAs as novel targets in the alleviation of pathological fear. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:e12427. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. P. Murphy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck; University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
| | - N. Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck; University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
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49
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Wiegand C, Savelsbergh A, Heusser P. MicroRNAs in Psychological Stress Reactions and Their Use as Stress-Associated Biomarkers, Especially in Human Saliva. Biomed Hub 2017; 2:1-15. [PMID: 31988918 PMCID: PMC6945927 DOI: 10.1159/000481126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a central role in the regulation of many cellular processes including physiological and psychological stress reaction pathways. Psychological stress is an important factor for the genesis and maintenance of many diseases. Several miRNAs have already been described to be involved in its regulation. The presence of miRNAs in all body fluids implies a widespread role in communication throughout the whole organism and together with their stability makes them formidable candidates as biomarkers. Alterations of stress-associated miRNA expression levels have been found in the brain and whole blood of humans and animals. In this paper, we review the participation of miRNAs in stress-reactive processes as well as their usability as salivary biomarkers of such processes. In conclusion, we suggest that salivary miRNAs may be useful as noninvasive biomarkers to assess epigenetic regulation processes of chronic or acute psychological stress reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conrad Wiegand
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Andreas Savelsbergh
- Chair for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Division of Functional Genomics, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Peter Heusser
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
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50
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Cirnigliaro M, Barbagallo C, Gulisano M, Domini CN, Barone R, Barbagallo D, Ragusa M, Di Pietro C, Rizzo R, Purrello M. Expression and Regulatory Network Analysis of miR-140-3p, a New Potential Serum Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:250. [PMID: 28848387 PMCID: PMC5554380 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Given its prevalence and social impact, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is drawing much interest. Molecular basis of ASD is heterogeneous and only partially known. Many factors, including disorders comorbid with ASD, like TS (Tourette Syndrome), complicate ASD behavior-based diagnosis and make it vulnerable to bias. To further investigate ASD etiology and to identify potential biomarkers to support its precise diagnosis, we used TaqMan Low Density Array technology to profile serum miRNAs from ASD, TS, and TS+ASD patients, and unaffected controls (NCs). Through validation assays in 30 ASD, 24 TS, and 25 TS+ASD patients and 25 NCs, we demonstrated that miR-140-3p is upregulated in ASD vs.: NC, TS, and TS+ASD (Tukey's test, p-values = 0.03, = 0.01, < 0.0001, respectively). ΔCt values for miR-140-3p and YGTSS (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) scores are positively correlated (Spearman r = 0.33; Benjamini-Hochberg p = 0.008) and show a linear relationship (p = 0.002). Network functional analysis showed that nodes controlled by miR-140-3p, especially CD38 and NRIP1 which are its validated targets, are involved in processes convergingly dysregulated in ASD, such as synaptic plasticity, immune response, and chromatin binding. Biomarker analysis proved that serum miR-140-3p can discriminate among: (1) ASD and NC (Area under the ROC curve, AUC: 0.70; sensitivity: 63.33%; specificity: 68%); (2) ASD and TS (AUC: 0.72; sensitivity: 66.66%; specificity: 70.83%); (3) ASD and TS+ASD (AUC: 0.78; sensitivity: 73.33%; specificity: 76%). Characterization of miR-140-3p network would contribute to further clarify ASD etiology. Serum miR-140-3p could represent a potential non-invasive biomarker for ASD, easy to test through liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Cirnigliaro
- Section of Biology and Genetics Giovanni Sichel, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Cristina Barbagallo
- Section of Biology and Genetics Giovanni Sichel, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Mariangela Gulisano
- Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Carla N Domini
- Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Rita Barone
- Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Davide Barbagallo
- Section of Biology and Genetics Giovanni Sichel, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Marco Ragusa
- Section of Biology and Genetics Giovanni Sichel, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy.,Associazione Oasi Maria SS. Onlus (IRCCS), Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain AgingTroina, Italy
| | - Cinzia Di Pietro
- Section of Biology and Genetics Giovanni Sichel, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Renata Rizzo
- Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Michele Purrello
- Section of Biology and Genetics Giovanni Sichel, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
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