1
|
Zhang Z, Zhang M, Li D, Shu R, Pan Q, Zou W, Wang K, Yin Y. Microglial Annexin A3 Downregulation Alleviates Ischemic Injury by Inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3-mediated Inflammation. Inflammation 2025:10.1007/s10753-025-02287-4. [PMID: 40087252 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-025-02287-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2025] [Accepted: 03/05/2025] [Indexed: 03/17/2025]
Abstract
Microglial inflammation is a hallmark of ischemic stroke. Annexin A3 (ANXA3) is expressed in microglia and plays a detrimental role in stroke. However, the role of ANXA3 in microglial inflammation after ischemic stroke is unclear. In this study, an ischemic stroke model was established in mice via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The adeno-associated virus shANXA3 (AAV-shANXA3) was injected into ipsilateral cortex ischemic lesion, and the infarction volume, neurological score, and neuronal injury were examined. Moreover, primary microglia were transfected with a lentivirus (LV-shANXA3) and subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Neuron viability and lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) levels of neurons cocultured with microglia were analyzed. Additionally, microglial activation and ANXA3, p-NF-κB, NLRP3 and downstream proteins of NLRP3 inflammasome (cleaved caspase-1, N-GSDMD and IL-1β) expression levels were measured. We found that microglial ANXA3 expression was increased after ischemic injury and that ANXA3 knockdown reduced the infarction volume, mitigated neurological deficits, and alleviated neuronal injuries. Additionally, ANXA3 knockdown ameliorated microglial activation and reduced the levels of p-NF-κB and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome signaling. Furthermore, ANXA3 upregulation resulted in decreased IκBα levels, whereas ANXA3 downregulation resulted in increased IκBα levels. Notably, IκBα knockdown blocked the neuroprotective effects of AAV-shANXA3 against ischemic injury. In conclusion, microglial ANXA3 downregulation alleviates ischemic stroke by inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3-mediated microglial inflammation, which indicates that ANXA3 may be a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zengli Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhu West Road, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Mengxue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhu West Road, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Yulin Hospital, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Ruichen Shu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhu West Road, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qian Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhu West Road, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Wangyuan Zou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhu West Road, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yiqing Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhu West Road, Tianjin, 300060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ngo AL, Ahmad CM, Gharavi Alkhansari N, Nguyen L, Zhang H. Epigenetic Insights into Substance Use Disorder and Associated Psychiatric Conditions. Complex Psychiatry 2025; 11:12-36. [PMID: 40201238 PMCID: PMC11975344 DOI: 10.1159/000544912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2025] [Indexed: 04/10/2025] Open
Abstract
Background Substance use disorder (SUD) is closely associated with epigenetic modifications that significantly impact mental health outcomes. Alcohol and drug misuse induce widespread changes in the epigenome and transcriptome of the central nervous system, disrupting critical processes such as reward signaling and emotional regulation. These alterations in epigenetic regulation and gene expression often persist even after substance cessation, potentially contributing to the onset or worsening of psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, stress, and anxiety. Summary This review delves into key epigenetic mechanisms underlying SUD and its comorbid psychiatric disorders, with a focus on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA regulation. Additionally, it examines the influence of environmental and biological factors on the epigenome and evaluates emerging epigenetic-based therapeutic strategies aimed at treating SUD and related psychiatric conditions. Key Messages Gaining a deeper understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms driving SUD and its associated psychiatric disorders is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic interventions. This review highlights the potential of epigenetic-based pharmacological strategies to mitigate the societal and personal burdens linked to SUD and its mental health complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ambrose Loc Ngo
- College of Medicine, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Linda Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy, Western University, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang J, Wu P, Wen Q. Optimization strategies for mesenchymal stem cell-based analgesia therapy: a promising therapy for pain management. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:211. [PMID: 39020426 PMCID: PMC11256674 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03828-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is a very common and complex medical problem that has a serious impact on individuals' physical and mental health as well as society. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids are currently the main drugs used for pain management, but they are not effective in controlling all types of pain, and their long-term use can cause adverse effects that significantly impair patients' quality of life. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potential in pain treatment. However, limitations such as the low proliferation rate of MSCs in vitro and low survival rate in vivo restrict their analgesic efficacy and clinical translation. In recent years, researchers have explored various innovative approaches to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of MSCs in pain treatment. This article reviews the latest research progress of MSCs in pain treatment, with a focus on methods to enhance the analgesic efficacy of MSCs, including engineering strategies to optimize the in vitro culture environment of MSCs and to improve the in vivo delivery efficiency of MSCs. We also discuss the unresolved issues to be explored in future MSCs and pain research and the challenges faced by the clinical translation of MSC therapy, aiming to promote the optimization and clinical translation of MSC-based analgesia therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China.
| | - Qingping Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
This paper is the forty-fifth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2022 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Deng M, Zou W. Noncoding RNAs: Novel Targets for Opioid Tolerance. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1202-1213. [PMID: 36453497 PMCID: PMC10286586 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221129122932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
As a global health problem, chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability, and it imposes a huge economic and public health burden on families and society. Opioids represent the cornerstone of analgesic drugs. However, opioid tolerance caused by long-term application of opioids is a major factor leading to drug withdrawal, serious side effects caused by dose increases, and even the death of patients, placing an increasing burden on individuals, medicine, and society. Despite efforts to develop methods to prevent and treat opioid tolerance, no effective treatment has yet been found. Therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying opioid tolerance is crucial for finding new prevention and treatment strategies. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important parts of mammalian gene transcriptomes, and there are thousands of unique noncoding RNA sequences in cells. With the rapid development of high-throughput genome technology, research on ncRNAs has become a hot topic in biomedical research. In recent years, studies have shown that ncRNAs mediate physiological and pathological processes, including chromatin remodeling, transcription, posttranscriptional modification and signal transduction, which are key regulators of physiological processes in developmental and disease environments and have become biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for various diseases. An increasing number of studies have found that ncRNAs are closely related to the development of opioid tolerance. In this review, we have summarized the evidence that ncRNAs play an important role in opioid tolerance and that ncRNAs may be novel targets for opioid tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wangyuan Zou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Seyednejad SA, Sartor GC. Noncoding RNA therapeutics for substance use disorder. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2022; 2:10807. [PMID: 36601439 PMCID: PMC9808746 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2022.10807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to regulate maladaptive neuroadaptations that drive compulsive drug use, ncRNA-targeting therapeutics for substance use disorder (SUD) have yet to be clinically tested. Recent advances in RNA-based drugs have improved many therapeutic issues related to immune response, specificity, and delivery, leading to multiple successful clinical trials for other diseases. As the need for safe and effective treatments for SUD continues to grow, novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics represent an appealing approach to target ncRNA mechanisms in SUD. Here, we review ncRNA processes implicated in SUD, discuss recent therapeutic approaches for targeting ncRNAs, and highlight potential opportunities and challenges of ncRNA-targeting therapeutics for SUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Afshin Seyednejad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (CT IBACS), Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Gregory C. Sartor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Connecticut Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (CT IBACS), Storrs, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xing M, Deng M, Shi Y, Dai J, Ding T, Song Z, Zou W. Identification and characterization of N6-methyladenosine circular RNAs in the spinal cord of morphine-tolerant rats. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:967768. [PMID: 35992914 PMCID: PMC9388936 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.967768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine tolerance (MT) is a tricky problem, the mechanism of it is currently unknown. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve significant functions in the biological processes (BPs) of the central nervous system. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), as a key post-transcriptional modification of RNA, can regulate the metabolism and functions of circRNAs. Here we explore the patterns of m6A-methylation of circRNAs in the spinal cord of morphine-tolerant rats. In brief, we constructed a morphine-tolerant rat model, performed m6A epitranscriptomic microarray using RNA samples collected from the spinal cords of morphine-tolerant rats and normal saline rats, and implemented the bioinformatics analysis. In the spinal cord of morphine-tolerant rats, 120 circRNAs with different m6A modifications were identified, 54 of which were hypermethylated and 66 of which were hypomethylated. Functional analysis of these m6A circRNAs found some important pathways involved in the pathogenesis of MT, such as the calcium signaling pathway. In the m6A circRNA-miRNA networks, several critical miRNAs that participated in the occurrence and development of MT were discovered to bind to these m6A circRNAs, such as miR-873a-5p, miR-103-1-5p, miR-107-5p. M6A modification of circRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of MT. These findings may lead to new insights into the epigenetic etiology and pathology of MT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manyu Xing
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meiling Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yufei Shi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiajia Dai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tong Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zongbin Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wangyuan Zou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Wangyuan Zou,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wu G, Du X, Li Z, Du Y, Lv J, Li X, Xu Y, Liu S. The emerging role of long non-coding RNAs in schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:995956. [PMID: 36226104 PMCID: PMC9548578 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.995956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder which is contributed by both genetic and environmental factors. However, at present, its specific pathogenesis is still not very clear, and there is a lack of objective and reliable biomarkers. Accumulating evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, including SZ, and hold promise as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of SZ and their potential value as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangxian Wu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xinzhe Du
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zexuan Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanhong Du
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jinzhi Lv
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xinrong Li
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Mental Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Sha Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| |
Collapse
|