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Zwolińska W, Bilska K, Tarhonska K, Reszka E, Skibińska M, Pytlińska N, Słopień A, Dmitrzak-Węglarz M. Biomarkers of Depression among Adolescent Girls: BDNF and Epigenetics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3281. [PMID: 38542252 PMCID: PMC10970207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression have been suggested to mediate the influence of environmental factors on the emergence of depression through epigenetic modifications. However, research on this subject in the developmental population is lacking and the pathophysiology of adolescent depression remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the alterations in BDNF expression and global DNA methylation in depression among adolescent girls. Thirty female inpatients with the initial diagnosis of depression were assessed before and after the period of antidepressant treatment and compared with thirty age-matched healthy controls. The assessment involved BDNF and proBDNF serum levels, the BDNF gene exon IV promoter methylation, and global DNA methylation. The methylation level in the BDNF gene exon IV promoter was significantly lower in the studied group compared with the control and correlated negatively with the severity of depression. The test distinguished the studied group from the controls with a sensitivity of 37% and specificity of 90%. The differences were no longer present after the period of antidepressant treatment. No differences in the global DNA methylation, BDNF, and proBDNF levels were found. We concluded that decreased methylation in the BDNF exon IV promoter could be considered as a biomarker of a depression state among adolescent girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Zwolińska
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33 St., 60-572 Poznan, Poland; (W.Z.); (N.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Karolina Bilska
- Department of Psychiatric Genetics, Medical Biology Center, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka St. 8, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (K.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Kateryna Tarhonska
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Łódź, Poland; (K.T.); (E.R.)
| | - Edyta Reszka
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Łódź, Poland; (K.T.); (E.R.)
| | - Maria Skibińska
- Department of Psychiatric Genetics, Medical Biology Center, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka St. 8, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (K.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Natalia Pytlińska
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33 St., 60-572 Poznan, Poland; (W.Z.); (N.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Słopień
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33 St., 60-572 Poznan, Poland; (W.Z.); (N.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Monika Dmitrzak-Węglarz
- Department of Psychiatric Genetics, Medical Biology Center, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka St. 8, 60-806 Poznan, Poland; (K.B.); (M.S.)
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Peripheral Regulation of Central Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression through the Vagus Nerve. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043543. [PMID: 36834953 PMCID: PMC9964523 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an extensively studied neurotrophin es sential for both developing the brain and maintaining adult brain function. In the adult hippocampus, BDNF is critical for maintaining adult neurogenesis. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is involved not only in memory formation and learning ability, but also mood regulation and stress responses. Accordingly, decreased levels of BDNF, accompanied by low levels of adult neurogenesis, occurs in brains of older adults with impaired cognitive function and in those of patients with major depression disorder. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms that maintain hippocampal BDNF levels is biologically and clinically important. It has been revealed that signalling from peripheral tissues contribute to the regulation of BDNF expression in the brain across the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, recent studies indicated evidence that neuronal pathways can also be a mechanism by which peripheral tissues signal to the brain for the regulation of BDNF expression. In this review, we give an overview of the current status in the regulation of central BDNF expression by peripheral signalling, with a special interest in the regulation of hippocampal BDNF levels by signals via the vagus nerve. Finally, we discuss the relationship between signalling from peripheral tissues and age-associated control of central BDNF expression.
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Xing Y, Sun T, Li G, Xu G, Cheng J, Gao S. The role of BDNF exon I region methylation in the treatment of depression with sertraline and its clinical diagnostic value. J Clin Lab Anal 2021; 35:e23993. [PMID: 34528295 PMCID: PMC8605126 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered to be one of the best candidate genes for depression. However, whether sertraline treatment affects the methylation level of this gene remains unknown. Methods Fifty‐three patients with depression and 51 healthy controls were included in the study. The methylation level of BDNF exon I was determined in blood samples from these subjects. The Hamilton Depression Scale was used to evaluate the depression status of patients. Single nucleotide polymorphism detection was used for genotyping, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of the methylation level of this locus in patients with depression. Results There was a significant difference in the methylation level of BDNF exon I between the control and depression groups. No effect of sertraline monotherapy on BDNF methylation was found in subjects with depression. Moreover, no interaction was found between BDNF genotype and the per cent methylation of BDNF exon I. However, methylation at this site was positively correlated with diurnal variation and retardation scores. Blood homocysteine concentrations were significantly reduced by sertraline treatment. No influence of genotype on serum BDNF concentration was found in subjects with depression. The ROC curve showed that methylation of BDNF exon I may be used to distinguish patients from healthy people, to a certain extent. Conclusion Methylation of BDNF exon I may be used as a biomarker of depression and may be a therapeutic target for previously untreated depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Xing
- Department of Affective Disorder, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Sun
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guangxue Li
- Department of Affective Disorder, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoan Xu
- Department of Affective Disorder, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia Cheng
- Department of Affective Disorder, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.,Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shugui Gao
- Department of Affective Disorder, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Yu M, Qin C, Li P, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zhang J, Li D, Wang H, Lu Y, Xie K, Yu Y, Yu Y. Hydrogen gas alleviates sepsis-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment through regulation of DNMT1 and DNMT3a-mediated BDNF promoter IV methylation in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 95:107583. [PMID: 33773206 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) can cause acute and long-term cognitive impairment and increase the mortality rate in sepsis patients, and we previously reported that 2% hydrogen gas (H2) inhalation has a therapeutic effect on SAE, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Dynamic DNA methylation, which catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), is involved in the formation of synaptic plasticity and cognitive memory in the central nervous system. And brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), to be a key signaling component in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, can be induced by neuronal activity accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter IV. This study was designed to illustrate whether H2 can mediate SAE by alter the BDNF promoter IV methylation mediated by DNMTs. We established an SAE model by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) in C57BL/6 mice. The Morris water maze test from the 4th to the 10th day after sham or CLP operations were used to evaluate mouse cognitive function. Hippocampal tissues were isolated at the 24 after sham or CLP surgery. Pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). mRNA or protein levels of DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b), BDNF promoter IV and total BDNF were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot tests. Immunofluorescence staining were used to determine the expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a. The quantitative methylation analysis of the 11 CpG island of the promoter region of BDNF exon IV was determined using theAgena's MassARRAY EpiTYPER system. We found that 2% H2 inhalation can reduce pro-inflammatory factors, alleviate DNMT1, DNMT3a but not DNMT3b expression, make hypomethylation of BDNF promoter IV at 5 CpG sites, enhance the BDNF levels and then decrease escape latency but increase platform crossing times in septic mice. Our results suggest that 2% H2 inhalation may alleviate SAE through altering the regulation of BDNF promoter IV methylation which mediated by DNMT1 and DNMT3a in the hippocampus of septic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdong Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chao Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Pei Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Yingli Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Dedong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Huixing Wang
- Pain Management Center, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Yuechun Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Keliang Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China.
| | - Yonghao Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology, Tianjin 300052, China.
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Xu H, Wang J, Jing H, Ellenbroek B, Shao F, Wang W. mPFC GABAergic transmission mediated the role of BDNF signaling in cognitive impairment but not anxiety induced by adolescent social stress. Neuropharmacology 2020; 184:108412. [PMID: 33245959 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Depression with comorbid anxiety or cognitive symptoms can vary in terms of symptoms, pathophysiology and antidepressant efficacy, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Previous studies from our group and others have shown that as a classic animal model of depression, adolescent social stress (ASS) could stably induce a variety of emotional and cognitive alterations in adult animals, and accompanied by transcriptional decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) total and promoter IV levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The present study further identified the GABAergic synaptic and molecular changes downstream of BDNF signaling impairment in the mPFC and roles in various behavioral phenotypes induced by ASS. We found that ASS induced a set of emotional and cognitive symptoms, including decreased social interest, impaired cognitive function, and increased anxiety-like behavior, as well as decreased GABAergic transmission in the mPFC. The specific deletion of BDNF promoter IV directly caused impairments in social interest, cognitive function, and inhibition of GABAergic transmission, but no changes in anxiety-like behavior. Acute microinjections of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) agonists into the mPFC and chronic antidepressant treatment ameliorated the changes in social behavior and cognition, as well as the reduction in GABAergic synaptic transmission in the mPFC, but not anxiety in previously stressed adult mice. These results suggest that the downstream GABAergic transmission of BDNF signaling in the mPFC involved in depression with comorbid cognitive dysfunction induced by ASS and can be used as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in depression. This article is part of the special issue on Stress, Addiction and Plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiesi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyang Jing
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bart Ellenbroek
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - Feng Shao
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York (Mann, Rizk); Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Mann, Rizk); Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York (Mann)
| | - Mina M Rizk
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York (Mann, Rizk); Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Mann, Rizk); Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York (Mann)
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Guo J, Yang Y, Jiang X, Guo M, Li X, Huang P, Liu Z. Differential promoter methylation and G-712A polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in post-traumatic stress disorder patients of Li and Han populations in Hainan province. Gene 2020; 769:145192. [PMID: 33007373 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the correlations of promoter methylation and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Li and Han nationalities in Hainan province. Depression- and anxiety-related questionnaires were performed for PTSD-related information collection and analysis, with 164 PTSD patients and 141 healthy controls included. Serum BDNF level was measured and the methylation of BDNF promoter was evaluated. The BDNF SNP genotyping was performed, after which the risk genotypes for PTSD were detected and analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Our study found that the PTSD incidence was different in Li and Han nationalities. Serum BDNF level in PTSD patients in Li nationality was obviously lower than that in patients in Han nationality, while the methylation of BDNF promoter was higher in patients in Li nationality. The G-712A rather than rs6265 genotypes presented significant difference between PTSD patients and healthy controls. Meanwhile, the patients in Li nationality with AG genotype at G-712A inclined to depression, and patients with GG genotype had a greater degree of PTSD. G-712A and promoter methylation of BDNF were independent risk factors for PTSD. Our study demonstrated that the differences of PTSD patients between Li and Han nationalities were attributed by SNP G-712A genotypes and promoter methylation of BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juncheng Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Central South University Xiangya School of Medical Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou 570208, Hainan, PR China
| | - Yijun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Central South University Xiangya School of Medical Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou 570208, Hainan, PR China
| | - Xiangling Jiang
- Psychological Research Center, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou 570311, Hainan, PR China
| | - Min Guo
- Psychological Research Center, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou 570311, Hainan, PR China.
| | - Xiang Li
- The Third People's Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430032, Hubei, PR China
| | - Ping Huang
- University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Psychological Research Center, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou 570311, Hainan, PR China
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Quezada S, van de Looij Y, Hale N, Rana S, Sizonenko SV, Gilchrist C, Castillo-Melendez M, Tolcos M, Walker DW. Genetic and microstructural differences in the cortical plate of gyri and sulci during gyrification in fetal sheep. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:6169-6190. [PMID: 32609332 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gyrification of the cerebral cortex is a developmentally important process, but the mechanisms that drive cortical folding are not fully known. Theories propose that changes within the cortical plate (CP) cause gyrification, yet differences between the CP below gyri and sulci have not been investigated. Here we report genetic and microstructural differences in the CP below gyri and sulci assessed before (at 70 days of gestational age [GA] 70), during (GA 90), and after (GA 110) gyrification in fetal sheep. The areal density of BDNF, CDK5, and NeuroD6 immunopositive cells were increased, and HDAC5 and MeCP2 mRNA levels were decreased in the CP below gyri compared with sulci during gyrification, but not before. Only the areal density of BDNF-immunopositive cells remained increased after gyrification. MAP2 immunoreactivity and neurite outgrowth were also increased in the CP below gyri compared with sulci at GA 90, and this was associated with microstructural changes assessed via diffusion tensor imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging at GA 98. Differential neurite outgrowth may therefore explain the localized changes in CP architecture that result in gyrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Quezada
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - Yohan van de Looij
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics and Gynaecology-Obstetrics, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland.,Functional and Metabolic Imaging Lab, Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Hale
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Shreya Rana
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Stéphane V Sizonenko
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics and Gynaecology-Obstetrics, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Courtney Gilchrist
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia.,Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Margie Castillo-Melendez
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Mary Tolcos
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - David W Walker
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
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Lu S, Liao L, Zhang B, Yan W, Chen L, Yan H, Guo L, Lu S, Xiong K, Yan J. Antioxidant cascades confer neuroprotection in ethanol, morphine, and methamphetamine preconditioning. Neurochem Int 2019; 131:104540. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Early life stress and the propensity to develop addictive behaviors. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 78:156-169. [PMID: 31255718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a vast literature on effects of early life manipulations in rodents much of which is aimed at investigating the long-term consequences related to emotion and cognition in adulthood. Less is known about how these manipulations affect responses reflective of alcohol (AUD) and substance (SUD) use disorders. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature of studies that employed early life manipulations and assessed behavioral responses to psychoactive substances, specifically alcohol, opiates, and stimulants, in rodents. While the findings with alcohol are more limited and mixed, studies with opiates and stimulants show strong support for the ability of these manipulations to enhance behavioral responsivity to these substances in line with epidemiological data. Some outcomes show sex differences. The mechanisms that influence these enduring changes may reflect epigenetic alterations. Several studies support a role for altered DNA methylation (and other epigenetic mechanisms) as biological responses to early environmental insults. The chemical changes induced by DNA methylation affect transcriptional activity of DNA and thus can have a long-term impact on the individual's phenotype. Such effects are particularly robust when they occur during sensitive periods of brain development (e.g., first postnatal weeks in rodents). We review this emerging literature as it relates to the known neurobiology of AUDs and SUDs and suggest new avenues of research. Such findings will have implications for the treatment and prevention of AUDs and SUDs and could provide insight into factors that support resiliency.
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Deniz BF, Confortim HD, Deckmann I, Miguel PM, Bronauth L, de Oliveira BC, Barbosa S, Cechinel LR, Siqueira IR, Pereira LO. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy prevents cognitive impairments and BDNF imbalance in the hippocampus of the offspring after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia. J Nutr Biochem 2018; 60:35-46. [PMID: 30064014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Folic acid (FA) supplementation (400 μg/day) has been recommended during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. However, in some countries, flours are required to be fortified with FA, possibly increasing the levels of this vitamin in pregnant women. Our previous studies have evidenced a dual effect of the FA treatment in a rat model of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Aiming to better correlate with humans, this paper evaluated the effects of two different levels of FA supplementation during pregnancy on memory parameters and neuronal survival and plasticity in the hippocampus of rats submitted to the neonatal HI. During pregnancy, female Wistar rats received one of these diets: standard (SD), supplemented with 2 mg/kg of FA or with 20 mg/kg of FA. At the 7th PND, rats suffered the HI procedure. At the 60th PND rats were evaluated in the open field, Morris water maze, novel-object recognition and inhibitory avoidance tasks. Furthermore, neuronal density, synaptophysin densitometry and BDNF concentration were assessed in the hippocampus. Both doses of FA prevented the HI-induced memory impairments. The supplementation reversed the BDNF late increase in the hippocampus of the HI rats, but did not inhibit the neuronal death. In conclusion, FA supplementation during pregnancy prevented memory deficits and BDNF imbalance after neonatal HI. These findings are particularly relevant because neuroprotection was achieved even in the high level of FA supplementation during pregnancy, indicating that this intervention would be considered secure for the offspring development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Ferrary Deniz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, sala 107, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Heloísa Deola Confortim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, sala 107, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Iohanna Deckmann
- Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Maidana Miguel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, sala 107, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Loise Bronauth
- Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Chaves de Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Sílvia Barbosa
- Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Laura Reck Cechinel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, sala 320, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ionara Rodrigues Siqueira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, sala 320, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lenir Orlandi Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, sala 107, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050- 170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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12
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Youssef MM, Underwood MD, Huang YY, Hsiung SC, Liu Y, Simpson NR, Bakalian MJ, Rosoklija GB, Dwork AJ, Arango V, Mann JJ. Association of BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism and Brain BDNF Levels with Major Depression and Suicide. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21:528-538. [PMID: 29432620 PMCID: PMC6007393 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyy008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder and suicide. Both are partly caused by early life adversity, which reduces brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein levels. This study examines the association of brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and brain brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels with depression and suicide. We hypothesized that both major depressive disorder and early life adversity would be associated with the Met allele and lower brain brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Such an association would be consistent with low brain-derived neurotrophic factor mediating the effect of early life adversity on adulthood suicide and major depressive disorder. Methods Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism was genotyped in postmortem brains of 37 suicide decedents and 53 nonsuicides. Additionally, brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein levels were determined by Western blot in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 9), anterior cingulate cortex (Brodmann area 24), caudal brainstem, and rostral brainstem. The relationships between these measures and major depressive disorder, death by suicide, and reported early life adversity were examined. Results Subjects with the Met allele had an increased risk for depression. Depressed patients also have lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in anterior cingulate cortex and caudal brainstem compared with nondepressed subjects. No effect of history of suicide death or early life adversity was observed with genotype, but lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the anterior cingulate cortex were found in subjects who had been exposed to early life adversity and/or died by suicide compared with nonsuicide decedents and no reported early life adversity. Conclusions This study provides further evidence implicating low brain brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Met allele in major depression risk. Future studies should seek to determine how altered brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression contributes to depression and suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam M Youssef
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Mark D Underwood
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Yung-Yu Huang
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Shu-chi Hsiung
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Yan Liu
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Norman R Simpson
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Mihran J Bakalian
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Gorazd B Rosoklija
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
- Macedonian Academy of Sciences & Arts, Republic of Macedonia
| | - Andrew J Dwork
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Victoria Arango
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - J John Mann
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
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13
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Dong BE, Xue Y, Sakata K. The effect of enriched environment across ages: A study of anhedonia and BDNF gene induction. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12485. [PMID: 29717802 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Enriched environment treatment (EET) is a potential intervention for depression by inducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, its age dependency remains unclear. We recently found that EET during early-life development (ED) was effective in increasing exploratory activity and anti-despair behavior, particularly in promoter IV-driven BDNF deficient mice (KIV), with the largest BDNF protein induction in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Here, we further determined age dependency of EET effects on anhedonia and promoter-specific BDNF transcription, by using the sucrose preference test and qRT-PCR. Wild-type (WT) and KIV mice received 2 months of EET during ED, young-adulthood and old-adulthood (0-2, 2-4 and 12-14 months, respectively). All KIV groups showed reduced sucrose preference, which EET equally reversed regardless of age. EET increased hippocampal BDNF mRNA levels for all ages and genotypes, but increased frontal cortex BDNF mRNA levels only in ED KIV and old WT mice. Transcription by promoters I and IV was age-dependent in the hippocampus of WT mice: more effective induction of exon IV or I during ED or old-adulthood, respectively. Transcription by almost all 9 promoters was age-specific in the frontal cortex, mostly observed in ED KIV mice. After discontinuance of EET, the EET effects on anti-anhedonia and BDNF transcription in both regions persisted only in ED KIV mice. These results suggested that EET was equally effective in reversing anhedonia and inducing hippocampal BDNF transcription, but was more effective during ED in inducing frontal cortex BDNF transcription and for lasting anti-anhedonic and BDNF effects particularly in promoter IV-BDNF deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- B E Dong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Y Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - K Sakata
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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14
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Yamazaki M, Yamada H, Munetsuna E, Ishikawa H, Mizuno G, Mukuda T, Mouri A, Nabeshima T, Saito K, Suzuki K, Hashimoto S, Ohashi K. Excess maternal fructose consumption impairs hippocampal function in offspring
via
epigenetic modification of BDNF promoter. FASEB J 2018; 32:2549-2562. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700783rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eiji Munetsuna
- Department of Biochemistry School of Medicine Fujita Health University Toyoake Japan
| | | | - Genki Mizuno
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry Toyoake Japan
| | - Takao Mukuda
- Department of Anatomy Faculty of Medicine Tottori University Yonago Japan
| | - Akihiro Mouri
- Advanced Diagnostic System Research Laboratory Toyoake Japan
| | | | - Kuniaki Saito
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention Toyoake Japan
| | - Koji Suzuki
- Department of Preventive Medical Sciences School of Health Sciences Toyoake Japan
| | | | - Koji Ohashi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry Toyoake Japan
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15
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Kertes DA, Bhatt SS, Kamin HS, Hughes DA, Rodney NC, Mulligan CJ. BNDF methylation in mothers and newborns is associated with maternal exposure to war trauma. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:68. [PMID: 28680507 PMCID: PMC5493129 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0367-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The BDNF gene codes for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a growth factor involved in neural development, cell differentiation, and synaptic plasticity. Present in both the brain and periphery, BDNF plays critical roles throughout the body and is essential for placental and fetal development. Rodent studies show that early life stress, including prenatal stress, broadly alters BDNF methylation, with presumed changes in gene expression. No studies have assessed prenatal exposure to maternal traumatic stress and BDNF methylation in humans. This study examined associations of prenatal exposure to maternal stress and BDNF methylation at CpG sites across the BDNF gene. RESULTS Among 24 mothers and newborns in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region with extreme conflict and violence to women, maternal experiences of war trauma and chronic stress were associated with BDNF methylation in umbilical cord blood, placental tissue, and maternal venous blood. Associations of maternal stress and BDNF methylation showed high tissue specificity. The majority of significant associations were observed in putative transcription factor binding regions. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study in humans to examine BDNF methylation in relation to prenatal exposure to maternal stress in three tissues simultaneously and the first in any mammalian species to report associations of prenatal stress and BDNF methylation in placental tissue. The findings add to the growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of considering epigenetic effects when examining the impacts of trauma and stress, not only for adults but also for offspring exposed via effects transmitted before birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darlene A Kertes
- Department of Psychology and University of Florida Genetics Institute, 945 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611-2250 USA
| | - Samarth S Bhatt
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Hayley S Kamin
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - David A Hughes
- Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicole C Rodney
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Connie J Mulligan
- Department of Anthropology and University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
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16
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Rathod R, Kale A, Joshi S. Novel insights into the effect of vitamin B₁₂ and omega-3 fatty acids on brain function. J Biomed Sci 2016; 23:17. [PMID: 26809263 PMCID: PMC4727338 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-016-0241-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of psychiatric disorders which are characterized by cognitive decline is increasing at an alarming rate and account for a significant proportion of the global disease burden. Evidences from human and animal studies indicate that neurocognitive development is influenced by various environmental factors including nutrition. It has been established that nutrition affects the brain throughout life. However, the mechanisms through which nutrition modulates mental health are still not well understood. It has been suggested that the deficiencies of both vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids can have adverse effects on cognition and synaptic plasticity. Studies indicate a need for supplementation of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, although the results of intervention trials using these nutrients in isolation are inconclusive. In the present article, we provide an overview of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, the possible mechanisms and the evidences through which vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids modulate mental health and cognition. Understanding the role of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids on brain functioning may provide important clues to prevent early cognitive deficits and later neurobehavioral disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Rathod
- Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune Satara Road, Pune, 411043, India
| | - Anvita Kale
- Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune Satara Road, Pune, 411043, India
| | - Sadhana Joshi
- Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune Satara Road, Pune, 411043, India.
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17
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Silberman DM, Acosta GB, Zorrilla Zubilete MA. Long-term effects of early life stress exposure: Role of epigenetic mechanisms. Pharmacol Res 2016; 109:64-73. [PMID: 26774789 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 12/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stress is an adaptive response to demands of the environment and thus essential for survival. Exposure to stress during the first years of life has been shown to have profound effects on the growth and development of an adult individual. There are evidences demonstrating that stressful experiences during gestation or in early life can lead to enhanced susceptibility to mental disorders. Early-life stress triggers hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activation and the associated neurochemical reactions following glucocorticoid release are accompanied by a rapid physiological response. An excessive response may affect the developing brain resulting in neurobehavioral and neurochemical changes later in life. This article reviews the data from experimental studies aimed to investigate hormonal, functional, molecular and epigenetic mechanisms involved in the stress response during early-life programming. We think these studies might prove useful for the identification of novel pharmacological targets for more effective treatments of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne M Silberman
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO-CONICET), 1ª Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Paraguay 2155, Piso 15, C1121ABG Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela B Acosta
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Junín 956, 5(to) piso, C1113AAD, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - María A Zorrilla Zubilete
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO-CONICET), 1ª Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Paraguay 2155, Piso 15, C1121ABG Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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18
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Ma W, Zhou X, Ji H, Luo M, Liu G, Li J, Wang Q, Duan S. Population difference in the association of BDNF promoter methylation with mild cognitive impairment in the Xinjiang Uygur and Han populations. Psychiatry Res 2015; 229:926-32. [PMID: 26292618 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer disease, which leads to memory loss and a reduction in cognitive function. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal development and plasticity. The aim of this study was to explore the association between BDNF promoter methylation and MCI in the Xinjiang Uygur and Han populations. METHODS A DNA methylation assay using bisulfite pyrosequencing technology was performed on 96 Uygur and 96 Han Chinese individuals from Xinjiang province, China. RESULTS We found a significantly higher BDNF methylation level in Han MCI cases than in Uygur MCI cases in males from Xinjiang province (p=0.022). In addition, the methylation level was significantly higher in Xinjiang Han healthy Chinese individuals (Northwestern China) than in Ningbo Han healthy Chinese individuals (Southeastern China) (Female and Male: p=1.17E-05; Female: p=0.020; Male: p=1.37E-04). But our results showed no significant association of BDNF methylation with MCI in either the Uygur or Han Chinese populations (p>0.05). Further gender-based subgroup analyses did not find any significant results (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that different levels of BDNF methylation may be present in different populations and environments. This study also provides further information regarding the relationship between BDNF methylation levels and MCI in Xinjiang Uygur and Han ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine for Cadres, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi 830000, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine for Cadres, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi 830000, China.
| | - Huihui Ji
- Ningbo Key Lab of Behavior Neuroscience, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Mei Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine for Cadres, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi 830000, China
| | - Guili Liu
- Ningbo Key Lab of Behavior Neuroscience, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Jinyun Li
- Ningbo Key Lab of Behavior Neuroscience, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Qinwen Wang
- Ningbo Key Lab of Behavior Neuroscience, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China.
| | - Shiwei Duan
- Ningbo Key Lab of Behavior Neuroscience, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China.
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Maur DG, Pascuan CG, Genaro AM, Zorrilla-Zubilete MA. Involvement of Nitric Oxide, Neurotrophins and HPA Axis in Neurobehavioural Alterations Induced by Prenatal Stress. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2015; 10:61-74. [PMID: 25287536 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1372-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Several studies suggest that negative emotions during pregnancy generate adverse effects on the cognitive, behavioural and emotional development of the descendants. The psychoneuroendocrine pathways involve the transplacentary passage of maternal glucocorticoids in order to influence directly on fetal growth and brain development.Nitric oxide is a gaseous neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the control of neural activity by diffusing into neurons and participates in learning and memory processes. It has been demonstrated that nitric oxide is involved in the regulation of corticosterone secretion. Thus, it has been found that the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is an endogenous inhibitor of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the hippocampus and that nNOS in the hippocampus may participate in the modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity via GR.Neurotrophins are a family of secreted growth factors consisting of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and NT4. Although initially described in the nervous system, they regulate processes such as cell survival, proliferation and differentiation in several other compartments. It has been demonstrated that the NO-citrulline cycle acts together with BDNF in maintaining the progress of neural differentiation.In the present chapter, we explore the interrelation between nitric oxide, glucocorticoids and neurotrophins in brain areas that are key structures in learning and memory processes. The participation of this interrelation in the behavioural and cognitive alterations induced in the offspring by maternal stress is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian G Maur
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Ma Q, Xiong F, Zhang L. Gestational hypoxia and epigenetic programming of brain development disorders. Drug Discov Today 2014; 19:1883-96. [PMID: 25256780 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Adverse environmental conditions faced by an individual early during its life, such as gestational hypoxia, can have a profound influence on the risk of diseases, such as neurological disorders, in later life. Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that epigenetic programming of gene expression patterns in response to maternal stress have a crucial role in the fetal origins of neurological diseases. Herein, we summarize recent studies regarding the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the developmental programming of neurological diseases in offspring, primarily focusing on DNA methylation/demethylation and miRNAs. Such information could increase our understanding of the fetal origins of adult diseases and help develop effective prevention and intervention against neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyi Ma
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Fuxia Xiong
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
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21
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Frodl T, Skokauskas N, Frey EM, Morris D, Gill M, Carballedo A. BDNF Val66Met genotype interacts with childhood adversity and influences the formation of hippocampal subfields. Hum Brain Mapp 2014; 35:5776-83. [PMID: 25044977 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood stress and genetic factors like the Val66MET polymorphism of the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene are associated with a higher risk for developing major depressive disorder (MDD) and might also influence hippocampal changes. The aim of this study was to determine which hippocampal dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis subfields are altered in MDD compared to healthy controls and which subfields are affected by the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and child adversity. Adult patients with MDD and healthy matched controls underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Automatic segmentation using the programme FreeSurfer was used to segment the hippocampal subfields dentate gyrus (DG/CA4), CA1 and CA2/3. The history of possible childhood adversity was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Val66Met BDNF SNP (rs6265) genotypes were obtained. Patients with MDD had significantly smaller CA4/DG and CA2/3 volumes compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, there was a significant interactive effect of BDNF allele and childhood adversity on CA2/3 and CA4/DG volumes. Met allele carriers without childhood adversity had larger and with childhood adversity smaller CA4/DG and CA2/3 volumes than Val-allele homozygotes. Our results highlight stress by gene interactions as relevant for hippocampal volume reductions, in particular for the subfield CA2/3 and dentate gyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Centre of Advanced Medical Imaging, St. James's Hospital & Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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22
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Ghahramani NM, Ngun TC, Chen PY, Tian Y, Krishnan S, Muir S, Rubbi L, Arnold AP, de Vries GJ, Forger NG, Pellegrini M, Vilain E. The effects of perinatal testosterone exposure on the DNA methylome of the mouse brain are late-emerging. Biol Sex Differ 2014; 5:8. [PMID: 24976947 PMCID: PMC4074311 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-5-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The biological basis for sex differences in brain function and disease susceptibility is poorly understood. Examining the role of gonadal hormones in brain sexual differentiation may provide important information about sex differences in neural health and development. Permanent masculinization of brain structure, function, and disease is induced by testosterone prenatally in males, but the possible mediation of these effects by long-term changes in the epigenome is poorly understood. Methods We investigated the organizational effects of testosterone on the DNA methylome and transcriptome in two sexually dimorphic forebrain regions—the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis/preoptic area and the striatum. To study the contribution of testosterone to both the establishment and persistence of sex differences in DNA methylation, we performed genome-wide surveys in male, female, and female mice given testosterone on the day of birth. Methylation was assessed during the perinatal window for testosterone's organizational effects and in adulthood. Results The short-term effect of testosterone exposure was relatively modest. However, in adult animals the number of genes whose methylation was altered had increased by 20-fold. Furthermore, we found that in adulthood, methylation at a substantial number of sexually dimorphic CpG sites was masculinized in response to neonatal testosterone exposure. Consistent with this, testosterone's effect on gene expression in the striatum was more apparent in adulthood. Conclusion Taken together, our data imply that the organizational effects of testosterone on the brain methylome and transcriptome are dramatic and late-emerging. Our findings offer important insights into the long-term molecular effects of early-life hormonal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar M Ghahramani
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tuck C Ngun
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Pao-Yang Chen
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yuan Tian
- Interdepartmental PhD Program in Bioinformatics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sangitha Krishnan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stephanie Muir
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Liudmilla Rubbi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Arthur P Arnold
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Geert J de Vries
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Nancy G Forger
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Eric Vilain
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, UCLA, 695 Charles Young Drive South, Gonda Room 5506, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7088, USA
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23
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Carballedo A, Morris D, Zill P, Fahey C, Reinhold E, Meisenzahl E, Bondy B, Gill M, Möller HJ, Frodl T. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and early life adversity affect hippocampal volume. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2013; 162B:183-90. [PMID: 23341118 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between adverse life events during childhood and genetic factors is associated with a higher risk to develop major depressive disorder (MDD). One of the polymorphisms found to be associated with MDD is the Val66MET polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The aim of our two-center study was to determine how the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and childhood adversity affect the volumetric measures of the hippocampus in healthy individuals and people with MDD. In this two-center study, 62 adult patients with MDD and 71 healthy matched controls underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. We used manual tracing of the bilateral hippocampal structure with help of the software BRAINS2, assessed childhood adversity using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and genotyped Val66Met BDNF SNP (rs6265). MDD patients had smaller hippocampal volumes, both in the left and right hemispheres (F = 5.4, P = 0.022). We also found a significant interaction between BDNF allele and history of childhood adversity (F = 6.1, P = 0.015): Met allele carriers in our samples showed significantly smaller hippocampal volumes when they did have a history of childhood adversity, both in patients and controls. Our results highlight how relevant stress-gene interactions are for hippocampal volume reductions. Subjects exposed to early life adversity developed smaller hippocampal volumes when they carry the Met-allele of the BDNF polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Carballedo
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Carballedo A, Amico F, Ugwu I, Fagan AJ, Fahey C, Morris D, Meaney JF, Leemans A, Frodl T. Reduced fractional anisotropy in the uncinate fasciculus in patients with major depression carrying the met-allele of the Val66Met brain-derived neurotrophic factor genotype. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2012; 159B:537-48. [PMID: 22585743 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Experimental studies support a neurotrophic hypothesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Val66Met brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphism on the white matter fiber tracts connecting hippocampus and amygdala with the prefrontal lobe in a sample of patients with MDD and healthy controls. Thirty-seven patients with MDD and 42 healthy volunteers were recruited. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data with 61 diffusion directions were obtained with MRI 3 Tesla scanner. Deterministic tractography was applied with ExploreDTI and Val66Met BDNF SNP (rs6265) was genotyped. Fiber tracts connecting the hippocampus and amygdala with the prefrontal lobe, namely uncinate fasciculus (UF), fornix, and cingulum were analyzed. A significant interaction was found in the UF between BDNF alleles and diagnosis. Patients carrying the BDNF met-allele had smaller fractional anisotropy (FA) in the UF compared to those patients homozygous for val-allele and compared to healthy subjects carrying the met-allele. A significant three-way interaction was detected between region of the cingulum (dorsal, rostral, and parahippocampal regions), brain hemisphere and BDNF genotype. Larger FA was detectable in the left rostral cingulum for met-allele carriers when compared to val/val alelle carriers. We provide evidence for the importance of the neurotrophic involvement in limbic and prefrontal connections. The met-allele of the BDNF polymorphism seems to render subjects more vulnerable for dysfunctions associated with the UF, a tract known to be related to negative emotional-cognitive processing bias, declarative memory problems, and autonoetic self awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Carballedo
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Gavin DP, Akbarian S. Epigenetic and post-transcriptional dysregulation of gene expression in schizophrenia and related disease. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 46:255-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2011.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Epigenetic modification of hippocampal Bdnf DNA in adult rats in an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2011; 45:919-26. [PMID: 21306736 PMCID: PMC3335738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2010] [Revised: 11/11/2011] [Accepted: 11/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene have been linked with memory, stress, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we examined whether there was a link between an established rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Bdnf DNA methylation. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were given psychosocial stress composed of two acute cat exposures in conjunction with 31 days of daily social instability. These manipulations have been shown previously to produce physiological and behavioral sequelae in rats that are comparable to symptoms observed in traumatized people with PTSD. We then assessed Bdnf DNA methylation patterns (at exon IV) and gene expression. We have found here that the psychosocial stress regimen significantly increased Bdnf DNA methylation in the dorsal hippocampus, with the most robust hypermethylation detected in the dorsal CA1 subregion. Conversely, the psychosocial stress regimen significantly decreased methylation in the ventral hippocampus (CA3). No changes in Bdnf DNA methylation were detected in the medial prefrontal cortex or basolateral amygdala. In addition, there were decreased levels of Bdnf mRNA in both the dorsal and ventral CA1. These results provide evidence that traumatic stress occurring in adulthood can induce CNS gene methylation, and specifically, support the hypothesis that epigenetic marking of the Bdnf gene may underlie hippocampal dysfunction in response to traumatic stress. Furthermore, this work provides support for the speculative notion that altered hippocampal Bdnf DNA methylation is a cellular mechanism underlying the persistent cognitive deficits which are prominent features of the pathophysiology of PTSD.
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Abstract
Calcium-response factor (CaRF) is a unique DNA-binding protein first recognized as a transcription factor for its role in modulating transcription of the gene encoding Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in neurons. Here I review evidence for the biological functions and transcriptional targets of CaRF in the brain and discuss potential mechanisms by which calcium-activated signaling pathways may modulate CaRF-dependent transcription. These data paint an emerging picture of CaRF as a regulatory nexus for signaling pathways that control aspects of synaptic development and neuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E West
- Department of Neurobiology, Box 3209, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Toledo-Rodriguez M, Lotfipour S, Leonard G, Perron M, Richer L, Veillette S, Pausova Z, Paus T. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with epigenetic modifications of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-6 exon in adolescent offspring. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2010; 153B:1350-4. [PMID: 20583129 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.31109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal cigarette smoking (PEMCS) is associated with variations in brain and behavior in adolescence. Epigenetic mechanisms may mediate some of the consequences of PEMCS through methylation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in genes important for brain development, such as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In the current study, we used bisulfite sequencing to assess DNA methylation of the BDNF promoter in the blood of adolescents whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. We demonstrate that PEMCS is associated with higher rates of DNA methylation in the BDNF-6 exon. These results suggest that PEMCS may lead to long-term down-regulation of BDNF expression via the increase of DNA methylation in its promoter region. Such mechanisms could, in turn, lead to modifications in both development and plasticity of the brain exposed in utero to maternal cigarette smoking.
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Cadet JL, Brannock C, Ladenheim B, McCoy MT, Beauvais G, Hodges AB, Lehrmann E, Wood WH, Becker KG, Krasnova IN. Methamphetamine preconditioning causes differential changes in striatal transcriptional responses to large doses of the drug. Dose Response 2010; 9:165-81. [PMID: 21731535 DOI: 10.2203/dose-response.10-011.cadet] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a toxic drug of abuse, which can cause significant decreases in the levels of monoamines in various brain regions. However, animals treated with progressively increasing doses of METH over several weeks are protected against the toxic effects of the drug. In the present study, we tested the possibility that this pattern of METH injections might be associated with transcriptional changes in the rat striatum, an area of the brain which is known to be very sensitive to METH toxicity and which is protected by METH preconditioning. We found that the presence and absence of preconditioning followed by injection of large doses of METH caused differential expression in different sets of striatal genes. Quantitative PCR confirmed METH-induced changes in some genes of interest. These include small heat shock 27 kD proteins 1 and 2 (HspB1 and HspB2), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox-1). Our observations are consistent with previous studies which have reported that ischemic or pharmacological preconditioning can cause reprogramming of gene expression after lethal ischemic insults. These studies add to the growing literature on the effects of preconditioning on the brain transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIDA/NIH/DHHS, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Ponomarev I, Rau V, Eger EI, Harris RA, Fanselow MS. Amygdala transcriptome and cellular mechanisms underlying stress-enhanced fear learning in a rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2010; 35:1402-11. [PMID: 20147889 PMCID: PMC3040562 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2010.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Severe stress or trauma can cause permanent changes in brain circuitry, leading to dysregulation of fear responses and the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To date, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying stress-induced long-term plasticity in fear circuits. We addressed this question by using global gene expression profiling in an animal model of PTSD, stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL). A total of 15 footshocks were used to induce SEFL and the volatile anesthetic isoflurane was used to suppress the behavioral effects of stress. Gene expression in lateral/basolateral amygdala was measured using microarrays at 3 weeks after the exposure to different combinations of shock and isoflurane. Shock produced robust effects on amygdalar transcriptome and isoflurane blocked or reversed many of the stress-induced changes. We used a modular approach to molecular profiles of shock and isoflurane and built a network of regulated genes, functional categories, and cell types that represent a mechanistic foundation of perturbation-induced plasticity in the amygdala. This analysis partitioned perturbation-induced changes in gene expression into neuron- and astrocyte-specific changes, highlighting a previously underappreciated role of astroglia in amygdalar plasticity. Many neuron-enriched genes were highly correlated with astrocyte-enriched genes, suggesting coordinated transcriptional responses to environmental challenges in these cell types. Several individual genes were validated using RT-PCR and behavioral pharmacology. This study is the first to propose specific cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying SEFL, an animal model of PTSD, and to nominate novel molecular and cellular targets with potential for therapeutic intervention in PTSD, including glycine and neuropeptide systems, chromatin remodeling, and gliotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Ponomarev
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research and the College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, 1 University Station, Austin, TX, USA,Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA, Tel: +512-471-5122, Fax: +512-232-2525, E-mail:
| | - Vinuta Rau
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Edmond I Eger
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research and the College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, 1 University Station, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Michael S Fanselow
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Differential epigenetic regulation of BDNF and NT-3 genes by trichostatin A and 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine in Neuro-2a cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 394:173-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.02.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Cadet JL, McCoy MT, Cai NS, Krasnova IN, Ladenheim B, Beauvais G, Wilson N, Wood W, Becker KG, Hodges AB. Methamphetamine preconditioning alters midbrain transcriptional responses to methamphetamine-induced injury in the rat striatum. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7812. [PMID: 19915665 PMCID: PMC2771908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 10/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit drug which is neurotoxic to the mammalian brain. Numerous studies have revealed significant decreases in dopamine and serotonin levels in the brains of animals exposed to moderate-to-large METH doses given within short intervals of time. In contrast, repeated injections of small nontoxic doses of the drug followed by a challenge with toxic METH doses afford significant protection against monoamine depletion. The present study was undertaken to test the possibility that repeated injections of the drug might be accompanied by transcriptional changes involved in rendering the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system refractory to METH toxicity. Our results confirm that METH preconditioning can provide significant protection against METH-induced striatal dopamine depletion. In addition, the presence and absence of METH preconditioning were associated with substantial differences in the identity of the genes whose expression was affected by a toxic METH challenge. Quantitative PCR confirmed METH-induced changes in genes of interest and identified additional genes that were differentially impacted by the toxic METH challenge in the presence of METH preconditioning. These genes include small heat shock 27 kD 27 protein 2 (HspB2), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), c-fos, and some encoding antioxidant proteins including CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-1, and heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox-1). These observations are consistent, in part, with the transcriptional alterations reported in models of lethal ischemic injuries which are preceded by ischemic or pharmacological preconditioning. Our findings suggest that multiple molecular pathways might work in tandem to protect the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway against the deleterious effects of the toxic psychostimulant. Further analysis of the molecular and cellular pathways regulated by these genes should help to provide some insight into the neuroadaptive potentials of the brain when repeatedly exposed to drugs of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Roth TL, Lubin FD, Funk AJ, Sweatt JD. Lasting epigenetic influence of early-life adversity on the BDNF gene. Biol Psychiatry 2009; 65:760-9. [PMID: 19150054 PMCID: PMC3056389 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 847] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2008] [Revised: 11/24/2008] [Accepted: 11/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment and early trauma leave lasting imprints on neural mechanisms of cognition and emotion. With a rat model of infant maltreatment by a caregiver, we investigated whether early-life adversity leaves lasting epigenetic marks at the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene in the central nervous system. METHODS During the first postnatal week, we exposed infant rats to stressed caretakers that predominately displayed abusive behaviors. We then assessed DNA methylation patterns and gene expression throughout the life span as well as DNA methylation patterns in the next generation of infants. RESULTS Early maltreatment produced persisting changes in methylation of BDNF DNA that caused altered BDNF gene expression in the adult prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, we observed altered BDNF DNA methylation in offspring of females that had previously experienced the maltreatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight an epigenetic molecular mechanism potentially underlying lifelong and transgenerational perpetuation of changes in gene expression and behavior incited by early abuse and neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania L. Roth
- Department of Neurobiology and the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama - Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Farah D. Lubin
- Department of Neurobiology and the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama - Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Adam J. Funk
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama - Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - J. David Sweatt
- Department of Neurobiology and the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama - Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
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Wong J, Webster MJ, Cassano H, Weickert CS. Changes in alternative brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcript expression in the developing human prefrontal cortex. Eur J Neurosci 2009; 29:1311-22. [PMID: 19519623 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06669.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we determined when and through which promoter brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcription is regulated during the protracted period of human frontal cortex development. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we examined the expression of the four most abundant alternative 5' exons of the BDNF gene (exons I, II, IV, and VI) in RNA extracted from the prefrontal cortex. We found that expression of transcripts I-IX and VI-IX was highest during infancy, whereas that of transcript II-IX was lowest just after birth, slowly increasing to reach a peak in toddlers. Transcript IV-IX was significantly upregulated within the first year of life, and was maintained at this level until school age. Quantification of BDNF protein revealed that levels followed a similar developmental pattern as transcript IV-IX. In situ hybridization of mRNA in cortical sections showed the highest expression in layers V and VI for all four BDNF transcripts, whereas moderate expression was observed in layers II and III. Interestingly, although low expression of BDNF was observed in cortical layer IV, this BDNF mRNA low-zone decreased in prominence with age and showed an increase in neuronal mRNA localization. In summary, our findings show that dynamic regulation of BDNF expression occurs through differential use of alternative promoters during the development of the human prefrontal cortex, particularly in the younger age groups, when the prefrontal cortex is more plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Wong
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, Australia
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Caldwell KK, Sheema S, Paz RD, Samudio-Ruiz SL, Laughlin MH, Spence NE, Roehlk MJ, Alcon SN, Allan AM. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder-associated depression: evidence for reductions in the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a mouse model. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2008; 90:614-24. [PMID: 18558427 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2008] [Revised: 05/05/2008] [Accepted: 05/09/2008] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure is associated with an increased incidence of depressive disorders in patient populations. However, the mechanisms that link prenatal ethanol exposure and depression are unknown. Several recent studies have implicated reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampal formation and frontal cortex as important contributors to the etiology of depression. In the present studies, we sought to determine whether prenatal ethanol exposure is associated with behaviors that model depression, as well as with reduced BDNF levels in the hippocampal formation and/or medial frontal cortex, in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Compared to control adult mice, prenatal ethanol-exposed adult mice displayed increased learned helplessness behavior and increased immobility in the Porsolt forced swim test. Prenatal ethanol exposure was associated with decreased BDNF protein levels in the medial frontal cortex, but not the hippocampal formation, while total BDNF mRNA and BDNF transcripts containing exons III, IV or VI were reduced in both the medial frontal cortex and the hippocampal formation of prenatal ethanol-exposed mice. These results identify reduced BDNF levels in the medial frontal cortex and hippocampal formation as potential mediators of depressive disorders associated with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin K Caldwell
- Department of Neurosciences, MSC 08 4740, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Yossifoff M, Kisliouk T, Meiri N. Dynamic changes in DNA methylation during thermal control establishment affect CREB binding to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor promoter. Eur J Neurosci 2008; 28:2267-77. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06532.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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De Luca V, Strauss J, Semeralul M, Huang S, Li PP, Warsh JJ, Kennedy JL, Wong AH. Analysis of BDNF Val66Met allele-specific mRNA levels in bipolar disorder. Neurosci Lett 2008; 441:229-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2007] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 06/10/2008] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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de Cid R, Fonseca F, Gratacs M, Gutierrez F, Martn-Santos R, Estivill X, Torrens M. BDNFvariability in opioid addicts and response to methadone treatment: preliminary findings. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2008; 7:515-22. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2007.00386.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Abstract
Although there is evidence to link schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) to genetic and environmental factors, specific individual or groups of genes/factors causative of the disease have been elusive to the research community. An understanding of the molecular aberrations that cause these mental illnesses requires comprehensive approaches that examine both genetic and epigenetic factors. Because of the overwhelming evidence for the role of environmental factors in the disease presentation, our initial approach involved deciphering how epigenetic changes resulting from promoter DNA methylation affect gene expression in SCZ and BD. Apparently, the central reversible but covalent epigenetic modification to DNA is derived from methylation of the cytosine residues that is potentially heritable and can affect gene expression and downstream activities. Environmental factors can influence DNA methylation patterns and hence alter gene expression. Such changes can be especially problematic in individuals with genetic susceptibilities to specific diseases. Recent reports from our laboratory provided compelling evidence that both hyper- and hypo-DNA methylation changes of the regulatory regions play critical roles in defining the altered functionality of genes in major psychiatric disorders such as SCZ and BD. In this chapter, we outline the technical details of the methods that could help to expand this line of research to assist with compiling the differential methylation-mediated epigenetic alterations that are responsible for the pathogenesis of SCZ, BD, and other mental diseases. We use the genes of the extended dopaminergic (DAergic) system such as membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT), monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), dopamine transporter 1 (DAT1), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine (DA) receptors1 and 2 (DRD1/2), and related genes (e.g., reelin [RELN] and brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]) to illustrate the associations between differential promoter DNA methylations and disease phenotype. It is our hope that comprehensive analyses of the DAergic system as the prototype could provide the impetus and molecular basis to uncover early markers for diagnosis, help in the understanding of differences in disease severity in individuals with similar or identical genetic makeup, and assist with the identification of novel targets for therapeutic applications.
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Junien C, Nathanielsz P. Report on the IASO Stock Conference 2006: early and lifelong environmental epigenomic programming of metabolic syndrome, obesity and type II diabetes. Obes Rev 2007; 8:487-502. [PMID: 17949354 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2007.00371.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Now that analysis of the organization of the human genome sequence is reaching completion, studies of the finely tuned chromatin epigenetic networks, DNA methylation and histone modifications, are required to determine how the same DNA sequence generates different cells, lineages and organs, i.e. the phenotype. Maternal nutrition, behaviour and metabolic disturbances as well as other environmental factors have been shown to have major effects on these epigenetic processes, potentially affecting the predisposition of offspring to obesity and related adult disorders. The March 2006 Stock Conference considered the latest evidence from studies in the field of obesity and other related areas that elucidate mechanisms by which the environment can modify gene expression and the resulting individual phenotype. Presentations included evaluation of the molecular basis of epigenetic memory and the nature of relevant sequence targets, windows of susceptibility, and maternal dietary and behavioural factors that determine epigenetic changes. Imprinted genes, age and tissue-related exposures, transgenerational and potential interventions were also discussed. In summary, it is clear that epigenetic alterations can no longer be ignored in evaluations of the causes of obesity and its associated disorders. There is a need for systematic large-scale epigenetic studies of obesity, employing appropriate strategies and techniques and appropriately chosen environmental factors in critical spatio-temporal windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Junien
- Inserm U 781, Clinique Maurice Lamy, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades 149 rue de Sèvres, Paris, France.
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Nair A, Vadodaria KC, Banerjee SB, Benekareddy M, Dias BG, Duman RS, Vaidya VA. Stressor-specific regulation of distinct brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcripts and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein expression in the postnatal and adult rat hippocampus. Neuropsychopharmacology 2007; 32:1504-19. [PMID: 17164818 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Stress regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the hippocampal damage observed in depression. BDNF has a complex gene structure with four 5' untranslated exons (I-IV) with unique promoters, and a common 3' coding exon (V). To better understand the stress regulation of BDNF, we addressed whether distinct stressors differentially regulate exon-specific BDNF transcripts in the postnatal and adult hippocampus. The early life stress of maternal separation (MS) resulted in a time point-dependent differential upregulation of BDNF transcripts restricted to early postnatal life (P14-BDNF II, P21-BDNF IV, V). In adulthood, distinct stressors regulated BDNF transcripts in a signature manner. Immobilization stress, administered once, decreased all BDNF splice variants but had differing effects on BDNF I/II (increase) and III/IV (decrease) when administered chronically. Although immobilization stress reduced BDNF (V) mRNA, chronic unpredictable stress did not influence total BDNF despite altering specific BDNF transcripts. Furthermore, a prior history of MS altered the signature pattern in which adult-onset stress regulated specific BDNF transcripts. We also examined the expression of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), an upstream transcriptional activator of BDNF, and observed a CREB induction in the postnatal hippocampus following MS. As a possible consequence of enhanced CREB and BDNF expression following MS, we examined hippocampal progenitor proliferation and observed a significant increase restricted to early life. These results suggest that alterations in CREB/BDNF may contribute to the generation of individual differences in stress neurocircuitry, providing a substrate for altered vulnerability to depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Nair
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
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Miyake K, Nagai K. Phosphorylation of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) regulates the intracellular localization during neuronal cell differentiation. Neurochem Int 2006; 50:264-70. [PMID: 17052801 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2006.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2006] [Revised: 08/10/2006] [Accepted: 08/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a transcriptional repressor which recognizes methylated CpG dinucleotides. Mutations in the MeCP2 gene is known to cause human autistic disease Rett syndrome, but its molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Since MeCP2 is a DNA-binding protein, it has been believed that MeCP2 functions only in the nucleus. We herein show that MeCP2 is localized in the cytosol as well as in the nucleus of neuronal cells. Through the use of immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses, MeCP2 was found to be localized both in the nucleus and cytosol of rat PC-12 and mouse Neuro2a cells before neuronal differentiation, and it was translocated into the nucleus during differentiation. In primary cultured neurons from mouse cortex, MeCP2 was expressed in whole cell bodies on the first day of culture while after 7 days of culture, MeCP2 was localized mainly in the nucleus. Furthermore, MeCP2 was re-localized in the nucleus and cytosol after 14 days of culture. To study the molecular mechanisms of translocation, we analyzed the post-translational modification of MeCP2. The cytosolic MeCP2 was Ser/Thr-phosphorylated, while the nuclear MeCP2 was not. Both the cytosolic and nuclear MeCP2 were SUMOylated, which has been reported to be a nuclear transport signal. Our data suggests that the nuclear translocation of neuronal MeCP2 was induced during differentiation and/or maturation, and that Ser/Thr-phosphorylation regulates its translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunio Miyake
- Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
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Tsankova NM, Berton O, Renthal W, Kumar A, Neve RL, Nestler EJ. Sustained hippocampal chromatin regulation in a mouse model of depression and antidepressant action. Nat Neurosci 2006; 9:519-25. [PMID: 16501568 DOI: 10.1038/nn1659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1285] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2006] [Accepted: 01/31/2006] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the molecular mechanisms of depression and antidepressant action, we administered chronic social defeat stress followed by chronic imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) to mice and studied adaptations at the levels of gene expression and chromatin remodeling of five brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) splice variant mRNAs (I-V) and their unique promoters in the hippocampus. Defeat stress induced lasting downregulation of Bdnf transcripts III and IV and robustly increased repressive histone methylation at their corresponding promoters. Chronic imipramine reversed this downregulation and increased histone acetylation at these promoters. This hyperacetylation by chronic imipramine was associated with a selective downregulation of histone deacetylase (Hdac) 5. Furthermore, viral-mediated HDAC5 overexpression in the hippocampus blocked imipramine's ability to reverse depression-like behavior. These experiments underscore an important role for histone remodeling in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression and highlight the therapeutic potential for histone methylation and deacetylation inhibitors in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia M Tsankova
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Center for Basic Neuroscience, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9070, USA
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