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Wu Q, Feng Y, Liu L, Liu Y, Liu X, Zhang L, Li Y, Wang L. Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Aggravates Ischemic Stroke Injury by the Inflammatory Activation of Microglia. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6523128. [PMID: 35137012 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, exploring effective and emerging molecular targets for ischemic stroke is a primary task of basic and clinical research. The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in ischemic stroke and its related mechanisms, to provide a reference for the treatment of ischemic stroke. CRF, antalarmin, or astressin-2B were used to activate or block the CRF1 (CRF receptor 1) or CRF2 (CRF receptor 2) in BV2 cells and adult male mice, thus constructing a distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) model. CRF not only accelerated microglial activity by promoting transcription and production of inflammatory factors, but also promoted the transformation of activated BV2 cells from a neuroprotective phenotype (M2) to cytotoxic phenotype (M1), and these effects were mediated by the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. These effects can be blocked by antalarmin but not by astressin-2B. CRF significantly aggravated the neurological deficit, increased infarction volume, and exacerbated neuronal injuries. Additionally, CRF significantly improved the levels of TNF-α and phospho-NF-κB in the ischemia penumbra. Finally, CRF significantly increased the number of CD16/Iba-1-positive cells and decreased the number of CD206/Iba-1-positive cells in the ischemia penumbra. These results provide evidence of the proinflammatory role of CRF in an ischemic stroke model and a possible underlying mechanism, which may facilitate the elucidation of potential treatment approaches for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, China
| | - Yan Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050031, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050051, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, China
| | - Liqiao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, East Branch of Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, China
| | - Yanan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, China
| | - Liqun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, China
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Sabzevari S, Rohbani K, Sadat-Shirazi MS, Babhadi-Ashar N, Shakeri A, Ashabi G, Khalifeh S, Ale-Ebrahim M, Zarrindast MR. Morphine exposure before conception affects anxiety-like behavior and CRF level (in the CSF and plasma) in the adult male offspring. Brain Res Bull 2018; 144:122-131. [PMID: 30503221 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
It has been proven that exposure to some drugs even before gestation had transgenerational effects. To investigate the changes which induced by parental morphine exposure before gestation; mainly the anxiety-like behavior, Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF) level in the CSF and plasma, CRF Receptor 1 (CRFR1), and the level of protein kinase C (PKC-α) were evaluated in the male offspring. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to morphine for 21 following days. Ten days after last drug exposure, animals were prepared for mating in 4 distinct groups as follow: drug-naïve female and male (used as control), drug-naïve female and morphine-abstinent male, drug-naïve male and morphine-abstinent female, and morphine abstinent male and female. Offspring were subjected to assess anxiety-like behavior (using elevated plus maze test). CSF and plasma were gathered, and the CRF level was evaluated by ELISA. Using real-time PCR, the CRFR1 level in the brain was evaluated. Results showed that anxiety-like behavior increased in the offspring of morphine-abstinent parent(s) compared with the control group. CRF level in the plasma and CSF also increased in the litter of morphine-abstinent parent(s). CRFR1 mRNA level was upregulated in the brain of offspring with one and/or two morphine-abstinent parent(s). Furthermore, the level of PKC-α was decreased in the brain of offspring which had one and/or two morphine-abstinent parent(s). Taken together, our findings indicated that morphine exposure even before gestation induced transgenerational effects via dysregulation of HPA axis which results in anxiety in the adult male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Sabzevari
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiyana Rohbani
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra-Sadat Sadat-Shirazi
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Babhadi-Ashar
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atena Shakeri
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghorbangol Ashabi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Solmaz Khalifeh
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Ale-Ebrahim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhang Y, Zheng Y, Xu Y, Sheng H, Ni X. Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Suppresses Synapse Formation in the Hippocampus of Male Rats via Inhibition of CXCL5 Secretion by Glia. Endocrinology 2018; 159:622-638. [PMID: 29126185 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is believed to play a critical role in stress-induced synaptic formation and modification. In the current study, we explored the mechanisms underlying CRH modulation of synaptic formation in the hippocampus by using various models in vitro. In cultured hippocampal slices, CRH treatment decreased synapsin I and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) levels via CRH receptor type 1 (CRHR1). In isolated hippocampal neurons, however, it increased synapsin I-labeled presynaptic terminals and PSD95-labeled postsynaptic terminals via CRHR1. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of CRH on synapsin I-labeled and PSD95-labeled terminals occurred in the model of neuron-glia cocultures. These effects were prevented by CRHR1 antagonist. Moreover, treatment of the neurons with the media of CRH-treated glia led to a decrease in synaptic terminal formation. The media collected from CRH-treated glial cells with CRHR1 knockdown did not show an inhibitory effect on synaptic terminals in hippocampal neurons. Unbiased cytokine array coupled with confirmatory enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that CRH suppressed C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5) production in glia via CRHR1. Administration of CXCL5 reversed the inhibitory effects of CRH-treated glia culture media on synaptic formation. Our data suggest that CRH suppresses synapse formation through inhibition of CXCL5 secretion from glia in the hippocampus. Our study indicates that glia-neuron intercommunication is one of the mechanisms responsible for neuronal circuit remodeling during stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - You Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Xu
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Sheng
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Ni
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Sirtuin 6 protects the brain from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through NRF2 activation. Neuroscience 2017; 366:95-104. [PMID: 28951325 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), a member of the sirtuin family of NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases, has been shown to produce beneficial effects in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the role of SIRT6 in cerebral I/R is largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of SIRT6 overexpression in regulating I/R injury in a mouse cerebral I/R model in vivo and in oxygen-glucose-deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-stimulated neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells in vitro. We found that cerebral I/R (1 h/24 h) resulted in decreased SIRT6 expression in the cerebral cortex (P < 0.01). SIRT6 overexpression in the brain by in vivo gene transfer enhanced the antioxidant NRF2 signaling (P < 0.05), reduced oxidative stress (P < 0.05), and attenuated cerebral I/R-induced brain tissue damage and neurological deficits (P < 0.05). These neuroprotective effects of SIRT6 overexpression were abolished in NRF2 knockout mice. In neuro-2A neuroblastoma cells, SIRT6 overexpression increased total and nuclear NRF2 levels (P < 0.05), reduced oxidative stress (P < 0.05), and attenuated OGD/R-induced cell death (P < 0.05); these protective effects were blocked by NRF2 knockdown (P < 0.05). Moreover, in OGD/R-stimulated neuro-2A cells, SIRT6 overexpression produced similar protective effects to those induced by the antioxidant NAC, but no added benefits were detected when SIRT6 overexpression was used in combination with NAC (P > 0.05). These findings provide evidence that SIRT6 can protect the brain from cerebral I/R injury by suppressing oxidative stress via NRF2 activation. Thus, SIRT6 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
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Uribe-Mariño A, Gassen NC, Wiesbeck MF, Balsevich G, Santarelli S, Solfrank B, Dournes C, Fries GR, Masana M, Labermeier C, Wang XD, Hafner K, Schmid B, Rein T, Chen A, Deussing JM, Schmidt MV. Prefrontal Cortex Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 1 Conveys Acute Stress-Induced Executive Dysfunction. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 80:743-753. [PMID: 27318500 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.03.2106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) subserves complex cognition and is impaired by stress. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), through CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1), constitutes a key element of the stress response. However, its contribution to the effects of stress in the mPFC remains unclear. METHODS Mice were exposed to acute social defeat stress and subsequently to either the temporal order memory (n = 11-12) or reversal learning (n = 9-11) behavioral test. Changes in mPFC Crhr1 messenger RNA levels were measured in acutely stressed mice (n = 12). Crhr1loxP/loxP mice received either intra-mPFC adeno-associated virus-Cre or empty microinjections (n = 17-20) and then were submitted to acute stress and later to the behavioral tests. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in the mPFC of acutely stressed mice (n = 8) or intra-mPFC CRF injected mice (n = 7). Finally, mice received intra-mPFC CRF (n = 11) and/or Rp-isomer cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS) (n = 12) microinjections and underwent behavioral testing. RESULTS We report acute stress-induced effects on mPFC-mediated cognition, identify CRF-CRFR1-containing microcircuits within the mPFC, and demonstrate stress-induced changes in Crhr1 messenger RNA expression. Importantly, intra-mPFC CRFR1 deletion abolishes acute stress-induced executive dysfunction, whereas intra-mPFC CRF mimics acute stress-induced mPFC dysfunction. Acute stress and intra-mPFC CRF activate the PKA signaling pathway in the mPFC, leading to cyclic AMP response element binding protein phosphorylation in intra-mPFC CRFR1-expressing neurons. Finally, PKA blockade reverses the intra-mPFC CRF-induced executive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results unravel a molecular mechanism linking acute stress to executive dysfunction via CRFR1. This will aid in the development of novel therapeutic targets for stress-induced cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Uribe-Mariño
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Nils C Gassen
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian F Wiesbeck
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Georgia Balsevich
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Sara Santarelli
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Beate Solfrank
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Carine Dournes
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriel R Fries
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; INCT for Translational Medicine, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Merce Masana
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Christiana Labermeier
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kathrin Hafner
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bianca Schmid
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Theo Rein
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan M Deussing
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias V Schmidt
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
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Yang XL, Chen B, Zhang XQ, Chen X, Yang MH, Zhang W, Chen HR, Zang ZL, Li W, Yang H, Liu SY. Upregulations of CRH and CRHR1 in the Epileptogenic Tissues of Patients with Intractable Infantile Spasms. CNS Neurosci Ther 2016; 23:57-68. [PMID: 27534449 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Infantile spasms (IS) are an age-specific epileptic syndrome with specific clinical symptom and electroencephalogram (EEG) features, lacking treatment options, and a poor prognosis. Excessive endogenous corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in infant brain might result in IS. However, the data from human IS are limited. In our study, we investigated the expressions of CRH and its receptor type 1 (CRHR1) in surgical tissues from patients with IS and autopsy controls. METHODS Specimens surgically removed from 17 patients with IS, and six autopsy controls were included in the study. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunostaining were used to detect the expressions of mRNA, protein expression, and distribution. The correlation between variates was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS The expressions of CRH and CRHR1 were significantly upregulated in the epileptogenic tissues of IS patients compared with the control group. CRH was distributed mainly in neurons, while CRHR1 was distributed in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. The expression levels of CRH and CRHR1 were positively correlated with the frequency of epileptic spasms. Moreover, the expression of protein kinase C (PKC), which was an important downstream factor of CRHR1, was significantly upregulated in the epileptogenic tissues of patients with IS and was positively correlated with the CRHR1 expression levels and the frequency of epileptic spasms. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the CRH signal transduction pathway might participate in the epileptogenesis of IS, supporting the hypothesis that CRH is related to the pathogenesis of IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lin Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bing Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei-Hua Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan-Ran Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen-Le Zang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shi-Yong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Geng X, Xu T, Niu Z, Zhou X, Zhao L, Xie Z, Xue D, Zhang F, Xu C. Differential proteome analysis of the cell differentiation regulated by BCC, CRH, CXCR4, GnRH, GPCR, IL1 signaling pathways in Chinese fire-bellied newt limb regeneration. Differentiation 2014; 88:85-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Local corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) signals to its receptor CRHR1 during postnatal development of the mouse olfactory bulb. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 221:1-20. [PMID: 25224546 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides play important physiological functions during distinct behaviors such as arousal, learning, memory, and reproduction. However, the role of local, extrahypothalamic neuropeptide signaling in shaping synapse formation and neuronal plasticity in the brain is not well understood. Here, we characterize the spatiotemporal expression profile of the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptor CRHR1 in the mouse OB throughout development. We found that CRH-expressing interneurons are present in the external plexiform layer, that its cognate receptor is expressed by granule cells, and show that both CRH and CRHR1 expression enriches in the postnatal period when olfaction becomes important towards olfactory-related behaviors. Further, we provide electrophysiological evidence that CRHR1-expressing granule cells functionally respond to CRH ligand, and that the physiological circuitry of CRHR1 knockout mice is abnormal, leading to impaired olfactory behaviors. Together, these data suggest a physiologically relevant role for local CRH signaling towards shaping the neuronal circuitry within the mouse OB.
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SGK1 Is Involved in Cardioprotection of Urocortin-1 Against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation in Cardiomyocytes. Can J Cardiol 2014; 30:687-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2014.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Chen Y, Allars M, Pan X, Maiti K, Angeli G, Smith R, Nicholson RC. Effects of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) on cell viability and differentiation in the human BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line: a potential syncytialisation inducer distinct from cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2013; 11:30. [PMID: 23587111 PMCID: PMC3639788 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-11-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placental production of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) rises exponentially as pregnancy progresses, and has been linked with the onset of normal and preterm labour. CRH is produced in syncytiotrophoblast cells and production is increased by glucocorticoids and cAMP. It remains unclear whether cAMP acts by inducing differentiation of cytotrophoblasts and/or through induction of syncytialisation. As CRH can stimulate cAMP pathways we have tested whether a feed-forward system may exist in placental cells during syncytialisation. METHODS The choriocarcinoma BeWo cell line was treated with cAMP, CRH or vehicle. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, while apoptosis was analysed by DAPI staining and by FACS. Differentiation was measured by assaying message for hCG and ERVW-1 (syncytin1) by qRT-PCR, as well as the respective protein by ELISA. Fusion of BeWo cells was assessed by co-staining cell membrane and nuclei with CellMask and Hoechst 33342. CRHR1 and CRHR2 mRNA levels were measured by qRT-PCR. RESULTS We show that cAMP has an inductive effect on syncytialisation, as evidenced by induction of hCG secretion, by ERVW-1 mRNA expression and by formation of multinuclear cells. CRH mRNA expression was found to increase prior to the changes in the other syncytialisation markers. cAMP had an inhibitory effect on BeWo cell viability, but exogenous CRH did not. However, CRH did mimic the differentiation inducing effect of cAMP, suggesting a link between CRH and cAMP signalling in syncytialisation. We also found that treatment of BeWo cells with exogenous CRH resulted in elevated cellular CRHR1 levels. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests a positive feed-forward role exists for CRH in trophoblast cell differentiation, which may underlie the exponential rise in CRH observed as gestation advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuXia Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Mothers & Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Megan Allars
- Mothers & Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Xin Pan
- Mothers & Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Kaushik Maiti
- Mothers & Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Giavanna Angeli
- Mothers & Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Roger Smith
- Mothers & Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Richard C Nicholson
- Mothers & Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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