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Smail MA, Lenz KM. Developmental functions of microglia: Impact of psychosocial and physiological early life stress. Neuropharmacology 2024; 258:110084. [PMID: 39025401 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110084] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Microglia play numerous important roles in brain development. From early embryonic stages through adolescence, these immune cells influence neuronal genesis and maturation, guide connectivity, and shape brain circuits. They also interact with other glial cells and structures, influencing the brain's supportive microenvironment. While this central role makes microglia essential, it means that early life perturbations to microglia can have widespread effects on brain development, potentially resulting in long-lasting behavioral impairments. Here, we will focus on the effects of early life psychosocial versus physiological stressors in rodent models. Psychosocial stress refers to perceived threats that lead to stress axes activation, including prenatal stress, or chronic postnatal stress, including maternal separation and resource scarcity. Physiological stress refers to physical threats, including maternal immune activation, postnatal infection, and traumatic brain injury. Differing sources of early life stress have varied impacts on microglia, and these effects are moderated by factors such as developmental age, brain region, and sex. Overall, these stressors appear to either 1) upregulate basal microglia numbers and activity throughout the lifespan, while possibly blunting their responsivity to subsequent stressors, or 2) shift the developmental curve of microglia, resulting in differential timing and function, impacting the critical periods they govern. Either could contribute to behavioral dysfunctions that occur after the resolution of early life stress. Exploring how different stressors impact microglia, as well as how multiple stressors interact to alter microglia's developmental functions, could deepen our understanding of how early life stress changes the brain's developmental trajectory. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Microglia".
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A Smail
- Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Kathryn M Lenz
- Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Chronic Brain Injury Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Green TRF, Rowe RK. Quantifying microglial morphology: an insight into function. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 216:221-229. [PMID: 38456795 PMCID: PMC11097915 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxae023] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia are specialized immune cells unique to the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia have a highly plastic morphology that changes rapidly in response to injury or infection. Qualitative and quantitative measurements of ever-changing microglial morphology are considered a cornerstone of many microglia-centric research studies. The distinctive morphological variations seen in microglia are a useful marker of inflammation and severity of tissue damage. Although a wide array of damage-associated microglial morphologies has been documented, the exact functions of these distinct morphologies are not fully understood. In this review, we discuss how microglia morphology is not synonymous with microglia function, however, morphological outcomes can be used to make inferences about microglial function. For a comprehensive examination of the reactive status of a microglial cell, both histological and genetic approaches should be combined. However, the importance of quality immunohistochemistry-based analyses should not be overlooked as they can succinctly answer many research questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabitha R F Green
- Department of Integrative Physiology, The University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Rachel K Rowe
- Department of Integrative Physiology, The University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Yang C, Tian Y, Yang X, Liu L, Ling C, Xia L, Liu H. Hematological and inflammatory markers in Han Chinese patients with drug-free schizophrenia: relationship with symptom severity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1337103. [PMID: 38352871 PMCID: PMC10861680 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1337103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There is a growing amount of evidence suggesting that immunity and inflammation play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between hematological and inflammatory markers with symptom severity in Han Chinese patients with drug-free schizophrenia. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University and data were extracted from the electronic medical record system over a 5-year period (May 2017 to April 2022), including participants' general and clinical information as well as Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores and hematological parameters. Results A total of 2,899 patients with schizophrenia were identified through the initial search. After screening, 91 patients and 141 healthy controls (HCs) were included. The patients had a higher value of neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) than HCs (all P < 0.001). MLR was positively correlated with BPRS total score (r = 0.337, P = 0.001) and resistance subscale score (r = 0.350, P = 0.001). Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that severely ill was significantly associated with being male and a higher value of MLR (Natural Logaruthm, Ln) (all P < 0.05), and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed good performance of a regression model with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.787. Conclusion Patients with drug-free schizophrenia have an unbalanced distribution of peripheral blood granulocytes, and elevated NLR, MLR and PLR. Patients with higher value of MLR tend to have more psychotic symptoms, especially those symptoms of hostility, uncooperativeness, and suspiciousness. Our study gives a preliminary indication that MLR is a potential predictor of disease severity in patients with drug-free schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yinghan Tian
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoxue Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lewei Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Ling
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huanzhong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Tewari M, Michalski S, Egan TM. Modulation of Microglial Function by ATP-Gated P2X7 Receptors: Studies in Rat, Mice and Human. Cells 2024; 13:161. [PMID: 38247852 PMCID: PMC10814008 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020161] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
P2X receptors are a family of seven ATP-gated ion channels that trigger physiological and pathophysiological responses in a variety of cells. Five of the family members are sensitive to low concentrations of extracellular ATP, while the P2X6 receptor has an unknown affinity. The last subtype, the P2X7 receptor, is unique in requiring millimolar concentrations to fully activate in humans. This low sensitivity imparts the agonist with the ability to act as a damage-associated molecular pattern that triggers the innate immune response in response to the elevated levels of extracellular ATP that accompany inflammation and tissue damage. In this review, we focus on microglia because they are the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, and they activate in response to ATP or its synthetic analog, BzATP. We start by introducing purinergic receptors and then briefly consider the roles that microglia play in neurodevelopment and disease by referencing both original works and relevant reviews. Next, we move to the role of extracellular ATP and P2X receptors in initiating and/or modulating innate immunity in the central nervous system. While most of the data that we review involve work on mice and rats, we highlight human studies of P2X7R whenever possible.
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Diaz Heijtz R, Keane L, Koren O. Early-life sensitive periods for antibiotic-induced shifts in neuro-immune developmental trajectories and vulnerability to brain disorders. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 114:78-79. [PMID: 37574176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lily Keane
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Omry Koren
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel
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Zhou J, Xia Y, Li M, Chen Y, Dai J, Liu C, Chen C. A higher dysregulation burden of brain DNA methylation in female patients implicated in the sex bias of Schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4842-4852. [PMID: 37696874 PMCID: PMC10925554 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02243-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences are pervasive in schizophrenia (SCZ), but the extent and magnitude of DNA methylation (DNAm) changes underlying these differences remain uncharacterized. In this study, sex-stratified differential DNAm analysis was performed in postmortem brain samples from 117 SCZ and 137 controls, partitioned into discovery and replication datasets. Three differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were identified (adj.p < 0.05) in females and 29 DMPs in males without overlap between them. Over 81% of these sex-stratified DMPs were directionally consistent between sexes but with different effect sizes. Females experienced larger magnitude of DNAm changes and more DMPs (based on data of equal sample size) than males, contributing to a higher dysregulation burden of DNAm in females SCZ. Additionally, despite similar proportions of female-related DMPs (fDMPs, 8%) being under genetic control compared with males (10%), significant enrichment of DMP-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in signals of genome-wide association studies was identified only in fDMPs. One DMP in each sex connected the SNPs and gene expression of CALHM1 in females and CCDC149 in males. PPI subnetworks revealed that both female- and male-related differential DNAm interacted with synapse-related dysregulation. Immune-related pathways were unique for females and neuron-related pathways were associated with males. This study reveals remarkable quantitative differences in DNAm-related sexual dimorphism in SCZ and that females have a higher dysregulation burden of SCZ-associated DNAm than males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Zhou
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and the Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yan Xia
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02114, USA.
- Analytic and Translational Genetics unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Miao Li
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and the Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and the Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jiacheng Dai
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and the Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and the Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
| | - Chao Chen
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, and the Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
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Zhu H, Guan A, Liu J, Peng L, Zhang Z, Wang S. Noteworthy perspectives on microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:223. [PMID: 37794488 PMCID: PMC10548593 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02901-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are so versatile that they not only provide immune surveillance for central nervous system, but participate in neural circuitry development, brain blood vessels formation, blood-brain barrier architecture, and intriguingly, the regulation of emotions and behaviors. Microglia have a profound impact on neuronal survival, brain wiring and synaptic plasticity. As professional phagocytic cells in the brain, they remove dead cell debris and neurotoxic agents via an elaborate mechanism. The functional profile of microglia varies considerately depending on age, gender, disease context and other internal or external environmental factors. Numerous studies have demonstrated a pivotal involvement of microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders, including negative affection, social deficit, compulsive behavior, fear memory, pain and other symptoms associated with major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. In this review, we summarized the latest discoveries regarding microglial ontogeny, cell subtypes or state spectrum, biological functions and mechanistic underpinnings of emotional and behavioral disorders. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of microglia-targeted therapies of neuropsychiatric disorders, and propose outstanding questions to be addressed in future research of human microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongrui Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Ao Guan
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jiayuan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
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Bhatia TN, Jamenis AS, Abbas M, Clark RN, Miner KM, Chandwani MN, Kim RE, Hilinski W, O'Donnell LA, Luk KC, Shi Y, Hu X, Chen J, Brodsky JL, Leak RK. A 14-day pulse of PLX5622 modifies α-synucleinopathy in preformed fibril-infused aged mice of both sexes. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 184:106196. [PMID: 37315905 PMCID: PMC10528721 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106196] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive microglia are observed with aging and in Lewy body disorders, including within the olfactory bulb of men with Parkinson's disease. However, the functional impact of microglia in these disorders is still debated. Resetting these reactive cells by a brief dietary pulse of the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor PLX5622 may hold therapeutic potential against Lewy-related pathologies. To our knowledge, withdrawal of PLX5622 after short-term exposure has not been tested in the preformed α-synuclein fibril (PFF) model, including in aged mice of both sexes. Compared to aged female mice, we report that aged males on the control diet showed higher numbers of phosphorylated α-synuclein+ inclusions in the limbic rhinencephalon after PFFs were injected in the posterior olfactory bulb. However, aged females displayed larger inclusion sizes compared to males. Short-term (14-day) dietary exposure to PLX5622 followed by control chow reduced inclusion numbers and levels of insoluble α-synuclein in aged males-but not females-and unexpectedly raised inclusion sizes in both sexes. Transient delivery of PLX5622 also improved spatial reference memory in PFF-infused aged mice, as evidenced by an increase in novel arm entries in a Y-maze. Superior memory was positively correlated with inclusion sizes but negatively correlated with inclusion numbers. Although we caution that PLX5622 delivery must be tested further in models of α-synucleinopathy, our data suggest that larger-sized-but fewer-α-synucleinopathic structures are associated with better neurological outcomes in PFF-infused aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarun N Bhatia
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anuj S Jamenis
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Muslim Abbas
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rachel N Clark
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kristin M Miner
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Manisha N Chandwani
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Roxanne E Kim
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Lauren A O'Donnell
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kelvin C Luk
- Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yejie Shi
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders & Recovery and Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xiaoming Hu
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders & Recovery and Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jun Chen
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders & Recovery and Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Brodsky
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rehana K Leak
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Sequeira MK, Bolton JL. Stressed Microglia: Neuroendocrine-Neuroimmune Interactions in the Stress Response. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad088. [PMID: 37279575 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Stressful life experiences are associated with the development of neuropsychiatric disorders like depression. Emerging evidence indicates that microglia, the specialized resident macrophages of the brain, may be a key mediator of the relationship between psychosocial stressor exposure and adaptive or maladaptive responses at the level of synaptic, circuit, and neuroimmune alterations. Here, we review current literature regarding how psychosocial stressor exposure changes microglial structure and function, thereby altering behavioral and brain outcomes, with a particular focus on age- and sex-dependent effects. We argue that additional emphasis should be placed in future research on investigating sex differences and the impacts of stressor exposure during sensitive periods of development, as well as going beyond traditional morphological measurements to interrogate microglial function. The bidirectional relationship between microglia and the stress response, particularly the role of microglia in the neuroendocrine control of stress-related circuits, is also an important area for future investigation. Finally, we discuss emerging themes and future directions that point to the possibility of the development of novel therapeutics for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica L Bolton
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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Murack M, Smith KB, Traynor OH, Pirwani AF, Gostlin SK, Mohamed T, Tata DA, Messier C, Ismail N. Environmental enrichment alters LPS-induced changes in BDNF and PSD-95 expressions during puberty. Brain Res 2023; 1806:148283. [PMID: 36801452 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Puberty is a critical period of cortical reorganization and increased synaptogenesis. Healthy cortical reorganization and synaptic growth require sufficient environmental stimuli and minimalized stress exposure during pubertal development. Exposure to impoverished environments or immune challenges impact cortical reorganization and reduce the expression of proteins associated with neuronal plasticity (BDNF) and synaptogenesis (PSD-95). Environmentally enriched (EE) housing includes improved social-, physical-, and cognitive stimulation. We hypothesized that enriched housing environment would mitigate pubertal stress-induced decreases in BDNF and PSD-95 expressions. Three-week-old male and female CD-1 mice (n = 10 per group) were housed for three weeks in either EE, social or deprived housing conditions. At 6 weeks of age, mice were treated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline eight hours prior to tissue collection. Male and female EE mice displayed greater BDNF and PSD-95 expressions in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus compared to socially housed and deprived housed mice. LPS treatment decreased BDNF expression in all the brain regions examined in EE mice, except for the CA3 region of the hippocampus, where EE housing successfully mitigated the pubertal LPS-induced decrease in BDNF expression. Interestingly, LPS-treated mice housed in deprived conditions displayed unexpected increases in BDNF and PSD-95 expressions throughout the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Both enriched and deprived housing conditions moderate how an immune challenge influences BDNF and PSD-95 expressions in a region-specific manner. These findings also emphasize the vulnerability of brain plasticity during puberty to various environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Murack
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Kevin B Smith
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Olivia H Traynor
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Atiqa F Pirwani
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Sarah K Gostlin
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 Av. McGill College Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Taha Mohamed
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Despoina A Tata
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Claude Messier
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada; University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada; University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
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11
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Prengel TM, Brunne B, Habiballa M, Rune GM. Sexually differentiated microglia and CA1 hippocampal synaptic connectivity. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13276. [PMID: 37170708 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Microglia have been shown to sculpt postnatal circuitry from birth up to adulthood due to their role in both synapse formation, synaptic pruning, and the elimination of weak, redundant synapses. Microglia are differentiated in a sex-dependent manner. In this study, we tested whether sexual differentiation of microglia results in sex-dependent postnatal reorganization of CA1 synaptic connectivity in the hippocampus. The stereological counting of synapses in mice using electron microscopy showed a continuous rise in synapse density until the fourth week, followed by a plateau phase and loss of synapses from the eighth week onwards, with no difference between sexes. This course of alteration in synapse numbers did not differ between sexes. However, selectively, on postnatal day (P) 14 the density of synapses was significantly higher in the female than in the male hippocampus. Higher synapse density in females was paralleled by higher activity of microglia, as indicated by morphological changes, CD68 expression, and proximity of microglia to synaptic sites. In Thy1-GFP mice, consistent with increased synapse numbers, bouton density was also clearly increased in females at P14. At this time point, CD47 expression, the "don't eat me" signal of neurons, was similar in males and females. The decrease in bouton density thereafter in conjunction with increased synapse numbers argues for a role of microglia in the formation of multispine boutons (MSB). Our data in females at P14 support the regulatory role of microglia in synapse density. Sexual differentiation of microglia, however, does not substantially affect long-term synaptic reorganization in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim M Prengel
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bianka Brunne
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Moataz Habiballa
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele M Rune
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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β-Adrenoceptor Blockade Moderates Neuroinflammation in Male and Female EAE Rats and Abrogates Sexual Dimorphisms in the Major Neuroinflammatory Pathways by Being More Efficient in Males. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:1237-1265. [PMID: 35798933 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01246-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Our previous studies showed more severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in male compared with female adult rats, and moderating effect of propranolol-induced β-adrenoceptor blockade on EAE in females, the effect associated with transcriptional stimulation of Nrf2/HO-1 axis in spinal cord microglia. This study examined putative sexual dimorphism in propranolol action on EAE severity. Propranolol treatment beginning from the onset of clinical EAE mitigated EAE severity in rats of both sexes, but to a greater extent in males exhibiting higher noradrenaline levels and myeloid cell β2-adrenoceptor expression in spinal cord. This correlated with more prominent stimulatory effects of propranolol not only on CX3CL1/CX3CR1/Nrf2/HO-1 cascade, but also on Stat3/Socs3 signaling axis in spinal cord microglia/myeloid cells (mirrored in the decreased Stat3 and the increased Socs3 expression) from male rats compared with their female counterparts. Propranolol diminished the frequency of activated cells among microglia, increased their phagocyting/endocyting capacity, and shifted cytokine secretory profile of microglia/blood-borne myeloid cells towards an anti-inflammatory/neuroprotective phenotype. Additionally, it downregulated the expression of chemokines (CCL2, CCL19/21) driving T-cell/monocyte trafficking into spinal cord. Consequently, in propranolol-treated rats fewer activated CD4+ T cells and IL-17+ T cells, including CD4+IL17+ cells coexpressing IFN-γ/GM-CSF, were recovered from spinal cord of propranolol-treated rats compared with sex-matched saline-injected controls. All the effects of propranolol were more prominent in males. The study as a whole disclosed that sexual dimorphism in multiple molecular mechanisms implicated in EAE development may be responsible for greater severity of EAE in male rats and sexually dimorphic action of substances affecting them. Propranolol moderated EAE severity more effectively in male rats, exhibiting greater spinal cord noradrenaline (NA) levels and myeloid cell β2-adrenoceptor (β2-AR) expression than females. Propranolol affected CX3CR1/Nrf2/HO-1 and Stat3/Socs3 signaling axes in myeloid cells, favored their anti-inflammatory/neuroprotective phenotype and, consequently, reduced Th cell reactivation and differentiation into highly pathogenic IL-17/IFN-γ/GM-CSF-producing cells.
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Matuszewska A, Kowalski K, Jawień P, Tomkalski T, Gaweł-Dąbrowska D, Merwid-Ląd A, Szeląg E, Błaszczak K, Wiatrak B, Danielewski M, Piasny J, Szeląg A. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Men with Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6492. [PMID: 37047464 PMCID: PMC10094807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder with a chronic, progressive course. The etiology of this condition is linked to the interactions of multiple genes and environmental factors. The earlier age of onset of schizophrenia, the higher frequency of negative symptoms in the clinical presentation, and the poorer response to antipsychotic treatment in men compared to women suggests the involvement of sex hormones in these processes. This article aims to draw attention to the possible relationship between testosterone and some clinical features in male schizophrenic patients and discuss the complex nature of these phenomena based on data from the literature. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched to select the papers without limiting the time of the publications. Hormone levels in the body are regulated by many organs and systems, and take place through the neuroendocrine, hormonal, neural, and metabolic pathways. Sex hormones play an important role in the development and function of the organism. Besides their impact on secondary sex characteristics, they influence brain development and function, mood, and cognition. In men with schizophrenia, altered testosterone levels were noted. In many cases, evidence from available single studies gave contradictory results. However, it seems that the testosterone level in men affected by schizophrenia may differ depending on the phase of the disease, types of clinical symptoms, and administered therapy. The etiology of testosterone level disturbances may be very complex. Besides the impact of the illness (schizophrenia), stress, and antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, testosterone levels may be influenced by, i.a., obesity, substances of abuse (e.g., ethanol), or liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Matuszewska
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Jawień
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 25/27, 50-375 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Tomkalski
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Tadeusz Marciniak Lower Silesia Specialist Hospital–Centre for Medical Emergency, A.E. Fieldorfa 2, 54-049 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Gaweł-Dąbrowska
- Department of Population Health, Division of Public Health, Wroclaw Medical University, Bujwida 44, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Merwid-Ląd
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Szeląg
- Department of Maxillofacial Orthopaedics and Orthodontics, Wroclaw Medical University, Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Błaszczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Benita Wiatrak
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Danielewski
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Piasny
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Adam Szeląg
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
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14
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Chen C, Zhou J, Xia Y, Li M, Chen Y, Dai J, Liu C. A Higher Dysregulation Burden of Brain DNA Methylation in Female Patients Implicated in the Sex Bias of Schizophrenia. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2496133. [PMID: 36778507 PMCID: PMC9915764 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2496133/v1] [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: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences are pervasive in schizophrenia (SCZ), but the extent and magnitude of DNA methylation (DNAm) changes underlying these differences remain uncharacterized. In this study, sex-stratified differential DNAm analysis was performed in postmortem brain samples from 117 SCZ and 137 controls, partitioned into discovery and replication datasets. Three differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were identified (adj. p < 0.05) in females and 29 DMPs in males without overlap between them. Over 81% of these sex-stratified DMPs were directionally consistent between sexes but with different effect sizes. Down-sampling analysis revealed more DMPs in females than in males when the sample sizes matched. Females had higher DNAm levels in healthy individuals and larger magnitude of DNAm changes in patients than males. Despite similar proportions of female-related DMPs (fDMPs, 8%) being under genetic control compared with males (10%), significant enrichment of DMP-related SNPs in signals of genome-wide association studies was identified only in fDMPs. One DMP in each sex connected the SNPs and gene expression of CALHM1 in females and CCDC149 in males. PPI subnetworks revealed that both female- and male-related differential DNAm interacted with synapse-related dysregulation. Immune-related pathways were unique for females and neuron-related pathways were associated with males. This study reveals remarkable quantitative differences in DNAm-related sexual dimorphism in SCZ and that females have a higher dysregulation burden of SCZ-associated DNAm than males.
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15
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Ji W, An K, Wang C, Wang S. Bioinformatics analysis of diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in peripheral blood based on sex differences and support vector machine algorithm. Hereditas 2022; 159:38. [PMID: 36195955 PMCID: PMC9531459 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-022-00252-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) varies based on gender. Due to the lack of early stage biomarkers, most of them are diagnosed at the terminal stage. This study aimed to explore sex-specific signaling pathways and identify diagnostic biomarkers of AD. Methods Microarray dataset for blood was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database of GSE63060 to conduct differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis by R software limma. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted. Immune checkpoint gene expression was compared between females and males. Using CytoHubba, we identified hub genes in a protein–protein interaction network (PPI). Then, we evaluated their distinct effectiveness using unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Support vector machine (SVM) and ten-fold cross-validation were used to further verify these biomarkers. Lastly, we confirmed our findings by using another independent dataset. Results A total of 37 female-specific DEGs and 27 male-specific DEGs were identified from GSE63060 datasets. Analyses of enrichment showed that female-specific DEGs primarily focused on energy metabolism, while male-specific DEGs mostly involved in immune regulation. Three immune-checkpoint-relevant genes dysregulated in males. In females, however, these eight genes were not differentially expressed. SNRPG, RPS27A, COX7A2, ATP5PO, LSM3, COX7C, PFDN5, HINT1, PSMA6, RPS3A and RPL31 were regarded as hub genes for females, while SNRPG, RPL31, COX7C, RPS27A, RPL35A, RPS3A, RPS20 and PFDN5 were regarded as hub genes for males. Thirteen hub genes mentioned above was significantly lower in both AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The diagnostic model of 15-marker panel (13 hub genes with sex and age) was developed. Both the training dataset and the independent validation dataset have area under the curve (AUC) with a high value (0.919, 95%CI 0.901–0.929 and 0.803, 95%CI 0.789–0.826). Based on GSEA for hub genes, they were associated with some aspects of AD pathogenesis. Conclusion DEGs in males and females contribute differently to AD pathogenesis. Algorithms combining blood-based biomarkers may improve AD diagnostic accuracy, but large validation studies are needed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41065-022-00252-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencan Ji
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu,, China
| | - Ke An
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu,, China.,School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Canjun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaohua Wang
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu,, China. .,School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China.
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16
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Liu J, Sato Y, Falcone-Juengert J, Kurisu K, Shi J, Yenari MA. Sexual dimorphism in immune cell responses following stroke. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 172:105836. [PMID: 35932990 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent bodies of work in regard to stroke have revealed significant sex differences in terms of risk and outcome. While differences in sex hormones have been the focus of earlier research, the reasons for these differences are much more complex and require further identification. This review covers differences in sex related immune responses with a focus on differences in immune cell composition and function. While females are more susceptible to immune related diseases, they seem to have better outcomes from stroke at the experimental level with reduced pro-inflammatory responses. However, at the clinical level, the picture is much more complex with worse neurological outcomes from stroke. While the use of exogenous sex steroids can replicate some of these findings, it is apparent that many other factors are involved in the modulation of immune responses. As a result, more research is needed to better understand these differences and identify appropriate interventions and risk modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Liu
- Dept Neurosurgery, UCSF and SF VAMC, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yoshimichi Sato
- Dept Neurosurgery, UCSF and SF VAMC, San Francisco, CA, USA; Dept Neurosurgery, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Kota Kurisu
- Dept Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jian Shi
- Dept Neurology, UCSF and SF VAMC, San Francisco, CA, USA
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17
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Brisch R, Wojtylak S, Saniotis A, Steiner J, Gos T, Kumaratilake J, Henneberg M, Wolf R. The role of microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders and suicide. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:929-945. [PMID: 34595576 PMCID: PMC9388452 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01334-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review examines the possible role of microglial cells, first, in neuroinflammation and, second, in schizophrenia, depression, and suicide. Recent research on the interactions between microglia, astrocytes and neurons and their involvement in pathophysiological processes of neuropsychiatric disorders is presented. This review focuses on results from postmortem, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies, and animal models of schizophrenia and depression. Third, the effects of antipsychotic and antidepressant drug therapy, and of electroconvulsive therapy on microglial cells are explored and the upcoming development of therapeutic drugs targeting microglia is described. Finally, there is a discussion on the role of microglia in the evolutionary progression of human lineage. This view may contribute to a new understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Brisch
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Szymon Wojtylak
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Arthur Saniotis
- Department of Anthropology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Pharmacy, Knowledge University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tomasz Gos
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jaliya Kumaratilake
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Maciej Henneberg
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Wolf
- Department of Nursing and Health, Hochschule Fulda, University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany.
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18
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Bakina O, Kettenmann H, Nolte C. Microglia form satellites with different neuronal subtypes in the adult murine central nervous system. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1105-1122. [PMID: 35213755 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25026] [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: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). In the adult uncompromised CNS, they have a highly ramified morphology and continuously extend and retract their processes. A subpopulation of microglial cells forms close soma-to-soma contacts with neurons and have been termed satellite microglia, yet the role of such interaction is largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the distribution of satellite microglia in different areas of the CNS of adult male mice applying transgenic- and immunolabeling of neuronal subtypes and microglia followed by three-dimensional imaging analysis. We quantified satellite microglia associated with GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons in the somatosensory cortex, striatum, and thalamus; with dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in the basal forebrain and raphe nucleus, respectively; and with cerebellar Purkinje cell neurons. Satellite microglia in the retina were assessed qualitatively. Microglia form satellites with all neuronal subtypes studied, whereas a preference for a specific neuron subtype was not found. The occurrence and frequency of satellite microglia is determined by the histo-architectural organization of the brain area and the densities of neuronal somata therein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Bakina
- Department of Cellular Neurosciences, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Kettenmann
- Department of Cellular Neurosciences, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.,Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Christiane Nolte
- Department of Cellular Neurosciences, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
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19
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Stress induced microglial activation contributes to depression. Pharmacol Res 2022; 179:106145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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20
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Walker SM. Developmental Mechanisms of CPSP: Clinical Observations and Translational Laboratory Evaluations. Can J Pain 2021; 6:49-60. [PMID: 35910395 PMCID: PMC9331197 DOI: 10.1080/24740527.2021.1999796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms that underly the transition from acute to chronic pain and identifying potential targets for preventing or minimizing this progression have specific relevance for chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). Though it is clear that multiple psychosocial, family, and environmental factors may influence CPSP, this review will focus on parallels between clinical observations and translational laboratory studies investigating the acute and long-term effects of surgical injury on nociceptive pathways. This includes data related to alterations in sensitivity at different points along nociceptive pathways from the periphery to the brain; age- and sex-dependent mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to persistent pain; potential targets for preventive interventions; and the impact of prior surgical injury. Ongoing preclinical studies evaluating age- and sex-dependent mechanisms will also inform comparative efficacy and preclinical safety assessments of potential preventive pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing the risk of CPSP. In future clinical studies, more detailed and longitudinal peri-operative phenotyping with patient- and parent-reported chronic pain core outcomes, alongside more specialized evaluations of somatosensory function, modulation, and circuitry, may enhance understanding of individual variability in postsurgical pain trajectories and improve recognition and management of CPSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suellen M. Walker
- Clinical Neurosciences (Pain Research), Developmental Neurosciences, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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21
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Yan L, Jayaram M, Chithanathan K, Zharkovsky A, Tian L. Sex-Specific Microglial Activation and SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Expression Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Stress. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:750373. [PMID: 34899189 PMCID: PMC8654352 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.750373] [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: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated a lot of stress and anxiety among not only infected patients but also the general population across the globe, which disturbs cerebral immune homeostasis and potentially exacerbates the SARS-CoV-2 virus-induced neuroinflammation, especially among people susceptible to neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we used a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model to study its effects on glia-mediated neuroinflammation and expression of SARS-CoV2 viral receptors. We observed that female mice showed depressive-like behavior after CUMS, whereas male mice showed enhanced anxiety and social withdrawal. Interestingly, CUMS led to increased amounts of total and MHCII+ microglia in the hippocampi of female mice but not male mice. mRNA levels of SARS-CoV-2 viral receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (Ace2) and basigin (Bsg) were also upregulated in the prefrontal cortices of stressed female mice but not male mice. Similarly, sex-specific changes in SARS-CoV-2 viral receptors FURIN and neuropilin-1 (NRP1) were also observed in monocytes of human caregivers enduring chronic stress. Our findings provided evidence on detrimental effects of chronic stress on the brain and behavior and implied potential sex-dependent susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection after chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mohan Jayaram
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Keerthana Chithanathan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alexander Zharkovsky
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Li Tian
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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22
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Kolmogorova D, Ah-Yen EG, Taylor BC, Vaggas T, Liang J, Davis T, Ismail N. Sex-specific responses of the pubertal neuroimmune axis in CD-1 mice. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 13:100229. [PMID: 34589744 PMCID: PMC8474685 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic relationship between the sexually dimorphic neuroimmune system and the sex-specific outcomes of a pubertal immune challenge is unclear. Therefore, we examined sex differences in the progression of cytotoxic microglial responses and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption to a peripubertal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in brain regions relevant to stress responses and cognitive function. Six-week-old (i.e., stress-sensitive pubertal period) male and female CD-1 mice were treated with LPS (1.5 mg/kg body weight, ip) or 0.9% saline (LPS-matched volume, ip). Sex and treatment differences in microglial (Iba1+) and apoptotic neuronal (caspase-3+/NeuN+) and non-neuronal (caspase-3+/NeuN−) expression were examined in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and paraventricular nucleus 24 h (sickness), one week (symptomatic recovery) and four weeks (early adulthood) post-treatment (n = 8/group). Microglial morphology was quantified with fractal analyses. Group differences in BBB permeability to 14C-sucrose were examined 24 h (whole-brain, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and cerebellum) and one week (whole-brain) post-treatment. The acute effects of pubertal LPS were specific to females (i.e., global BBB disruption, altered microglial expression and morphology in the mPFC and hippocampus, increased hippocampal apoptosis). The residual effects of pubertal LPS-induced sickness observed in microglia persisted into adulthood in a sex- and region-specific manner. In addition to highlighting these sex-specific responses of the pubertal neuroimmune system, we report baseline region-specific sex differences in microglia spanning puberty through adulthood. We propose that these sex differences in neuroimmune-neurovascular interactions during the stress-sensitive pubertal period create sex biases in stress-related disorders of brain and behaviour. Pubertal LPS alters baseline sex differences in microglial numbers and morphology. Pubertal CD-1 mice mount sexually dimorphic neuroimmune responses to systemic LPS. Treatment effects on microglial expression and morphology differ by sex and region. The acute LPS-induced effects were specific to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Kolmogorova
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily Grace Ah-Yen
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Tiffany Vaggas
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Jacky Liang
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tama Davis
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- NISE Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Pubertal LPS treatment selectively alters PSD-95 expression in male CD-1 mice. Brain Res Bull 2021; 175:186-195. [PMID: 34333052 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Puberty includes a highly stress-sensitive period with significant sex differences in the neurophysiological and behavioural outcomes of a peripheral immune challenge. Sex differences in the pubertal neuroimmune network's responses to systemic LPS may explain some of these enduring sex-specific outcomes of a pubertal immune challenge. However, the functional implications of these sex-specific neuroimmune responses on the local microenvironment are unclear. Western blots were used to examine treatment- and sex-related changes in expression of regulatory proteins in inflammation (NFκB), cell death (AIF), oxidative stress (SOD-1), and synaptic plasticity (PSD-95) following symptomatic recovery (i.e., one week post-treatment) from pubertal immune challenge. Across the four examined brain regions (i.e., hippocampus, PFC, hypothalamus, and cerebellum), only PSD-95 levels were altered one week post-treatment by the pubertal LPS treatment. Unlike their female counterparts, seven-week-old males showed increased PSD-95 expression in the hippocampus (p < .05). AIF, SOD-1, and NFκB levels in both sexes were unaffected by treatment (all p > .05), which suggests appropriate resolution of NFκB-mediated immune responses to pubertal LPS without stimulating AIF-mediated apoptosis and oxidative stress. We also report a significant male-biased sex difference in PSD-95 levels in the PFC and in cerebellar expression of SOD-1 during puberty (all p < .05). These findings highlight the sex-specific vulnerability of the pubertal hippocampus to systemic LPS and suggest that a pubertal immune challenge may expedite neurodevelopment in the hippocampus in a sex-specific manner.
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24
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Wu Z, Zhou L, Sun L, Xie Y, Xiao L, Wang H, Wang G. Brief postpartum separation from offspring promotes resilience to lipopolysaccharide challenge-induced anxiety and depressive-like behaviors and inhibits neuroinflammation in C57BL/6J dams. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 95:190-202. [PMID: 33766700 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates an important role for neuroinflammation in depression. Brief maternal separation promotes resilience to depression in offspring, but relatively little is known about the effects of different durations of postpartum separation (PS) from offspring on anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in dams following immune challenge. Lactating C57BL/6J mice were subjected to no separation (NPS), brief PS (15 min/day, PS15) or prolonged PS (180 min/day, PS180) from postpartum day (PPD) 1 to PPD21 and then injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Behavioral tests, including the open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST), were carried out at 24 h after the injection. LPSresulted in anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in NPS dams and activated ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Iba1), an important biomarker of microglia, in the hippocampus. However, compared with NPS + LPS dams, PS15 + LPS dams spent significantly more time in the center of the OFT (anxiety-like behavior) and exhibited lower immobility time in the FST (depressive-like behavior), which indicated a phenomenon of resilience. Furthermore, the activation of neuroinflammation was inhibited in PS15 dams. Specifically, levels of the Iba1 mRNA and protein were decreased, while the mRNA expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome/interleukin-18 (IL-18)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was decreased in the hippocampus. Furthermore, positive linear correlations were observed between microglial activation and LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors in dams. Collectively, the findings of this study confirm that brief PS from offspring promotes resilience to LPS immune challenge-induced behavioral deficits and inhibits neuroinflammation in dams separated from their offspring during lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuotian Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Limin Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yumeng Xie
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ling Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Gaohua Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China.
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25
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Breach MR, Dye CN, Joshi A, Platko S, Gilfarb RA, Krug AR, Franceschelli DV, Galan A, Dodson CM, Lenz KM. Maternal allergic inflammation in rats impacts the offspring perinatal neuroimmune milieu and the development of social play, locomotor behavior, and cognitive flexibility. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 95:269-286. [PMID: 33798637 PMCID: PMC8187275 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal systemic inflammation increases risk for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia in offspring. Notably, these disorders are male-biased. Studies have implicated immune system dysfunction in the etiology of these disorders, and rodent models of maternal immune activation provide useful tools to examine mechanisms of sex-dependent effects on brain development, immunity, and behavior. Here, we employed an allergen-induced model of maternal inflammation in rats to characterize levels of mast cells and microglia in the perinatal period in male and female offspring, as well as social, emotional, and cognitive behaviors throughout the lifespan. Adult female rats were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), bred, and challenged intranasally on gestational day 15 of pregnancy with OVA or saline. Allergic inflammation upregulated microglia in the fetal brain, increased mast cell number in the hippocampus on the day of birth, and conferred region-, time- and sex- specific changes in microglia measures. Additionally, offspring of OVA-exposed mothers subsequently exhibited abnormal social behavior, hyperlocomotion, and reduced cognitive flexibility. These data demonstrate the long-term effects of maternal allergic challenge on offspring development and provide a basis for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders linked to maternal systemic inflammation in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela R. Breach
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Courtney N. Dye
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Aarohi Joshi
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Steven Platko
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rachel A. Gilfarb
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Annemarie R. Krug
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Anabel Galan
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Claire M. Dodson
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Lenz
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA,Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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26
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Chowen JA, Garcia-Segura LM. Role of glial cells in the generation of sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases and brain aging. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 196:111473. [PMID: 33766745 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Diseases and aging-associated alterations of the nervous system often show sex-specific characteristics. Glial cells play a major role in the endogenous homeostatic response of neural tissue, and sex differences in the glial transcriptome and function have been described. Therefore, the possible role of these cells in the generation of sex differences in pathological alterations of the nervous system is reviewed here. Studies have shown that glia react to pathological insults with sex-specific neuroprotective and regenerative effects. At least three factors determine this sex-specific response of glia: sex chromosome genes, gonadal hormones and neuroactive steroid hormone metabolites. The sex chromosome complement determines differences in the transcriptional responses in glia after brain injury, while gonadal hormones and their metabolites activate sex-specific neuroprotective mechanisms in these cells. Since the sex-specific neuroprotective and regenerative activity of glial cells causes sex differences in the pathological alterations of the nervous system, glia may represent a relevant target for sex-specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Chowen
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutriciόn (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, and IMDEA Food Institute, CEIUAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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27
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Han J, Fan Y, Zhou K, Blomgren K, Harris RA. Uncovering sex differences of rodent microglia. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:74. [PMID: 33731174 PMCID: PMC7972194 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There are inherent structural and functional differences in the central nervous systems (CNS) of females and males. It has been gradually established that these sex-specific differences are due to a spectrum of genetic, epigenetic, and hormonal factors which actively contribute to the differential incidences, disease courses, and even outcomes of CNS diseases between sexes. Microglia, as principle resident macrophages in the CNS, play a crucial role in both CNS physiology and pathology. However, sex differences of microglia have been relatively unexplored until recently. Emerging data has convincingly demonstrated the existence of sex-dependent structural and functional differences of rodent microglia, consequently changing our current understanding of these versatile cells. In this review, we attempt to comprehensively outline the current advances revealing microglial sex differences in rodent and their potential implications for specific CNS diseases with a stark sex difference. A detailed understanding of molecular processes underlying microglial sex differences is of major importance in design of translational sex- and microglia-specific therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Han
- Applied Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, CMM L8:04, Karolinska Sjukhuset, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Yueshan Fan
- Applied Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, CMM L8:04, Karolinska Sjukhuset, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Klas Blomgren
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Pediatric Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert A Harris
- Applied Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, CMM L8:04, Karolinska Sjukhuset, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
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28
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Meeh KL, Rickel CT, Sansano AJ, Shirangi TR. The development of sex differences in the nervous system and behavior of flies, worms, and rodents. Dev Biol 2021; 472:75-84. [PMID: 33484707 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how sex differences in innate animal behaviors arise has long fascinated biologists. As a general rule, the potential for sex differences in behavior is built by the developmental actions of sex-specific hormones or regulatory proteins that direct the sexual differentiation of the nervous system. In the last decade, studies in several animal systems have uncovered neural circuit mechanisms underlying discrete sexually dimorphic behaviors. Moreover, how certain hormones and regulatory proteins implement the sexual differentiation of these neural circuits has been illuminated in tremendous detail. Here, we discuss some of these mechanisms with three case-studies-mate recognition in flies, maturation of mating behavior in worms, and play-fighting behavior in young rodents. These studies illustrate general and unique developmental mechanisms to establish sex differences in neuroanatomy and behavior and highlight future challenges for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Meeh
- Villanova University, Department of Biology, 800 Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA
| | - Clare T Rickel
- Villanova University, Department of Biology, 800 Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA
| | - Alexander J Sansano
- Villanova University, Department of Biology, 800 Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA
| | - Troy R Shirangi
- Villanova University, Department of Biology, 800 Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA, 19085, USA.
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29
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Jones MC, Koh JM, Cheong KH. Synaptic Pruning in Schizophrenia: Does Minocycline Modulate Psychosocial Brain Development? Bioessays 2021; 42:e2000046. [PMID: 33448432 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the tetracycline antibiotic minocycline, or its cousins, hold therapeutic potential for affective and psychotic disorders. This is proposed on the basis of a direct effect on microglia-mediated frontocortical synaptic pruning (FSP) during adolescence, perhaps in genetically susceptible individuals harboring risk alleles in the complement component cascade that is involved in this normal process of CNS circuit refinement. In reviewing this field, it is argued that minocycline is actually probing and modulating a deeply evolved and intricate system wherein psychosocial stimuli sculpt the circuitry of the "social brain" underlying adult behavior and personality. Furthermore, this system can generate psychiatric morbidity that is not dependent on genetic variation. This view has important ramifications for understanding "pathologies" of human social behavior and cognition as well as providing long-sought potential mechanistic links between social experience and susceptibility to mental and physical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Jones
- Science, Mathematics & Technology Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), 8 Somapah Road, S487372, Singapore
| | - Jin Ming Koh
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Kang Hao Cheong
- Science, Mathematics & Technology Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), 8 Somapah Road, S487372, Singapore.,SUTD-Massachusetts Institute of Technology International Design Centre, S487372, Singapore
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30
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Eccleston C, Fisher E, Howard RF, Slater R, Forgeron P, Palermo TM, Birnie KA, Anderson BJ, Chambers CT, Crombez G, Ljungman G, Jordan I, Jordan Z, Roberts C, Schechter N, Sieberg CB, Tibboel D, Walker SM, Wilkinson D, Wood C. Delivering transformative action in paediatric pain: a Lancet Child & Adolescent Health Commission. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2021; 5:47-87. [PMID: 33064998 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30277-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Eccleston
- Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, UK; Cochrane Pain, Palliative, and Supportive Care Review Groups, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK; Department of Clinical-Experimental and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Emma Fisher
- Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, UK; Cochrane Pain, Palliative, and Supportive Care Review Groups, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard F Howard
- Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Rebeccah Slater
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paula Forgeron
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tonya M Palermo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kathryn A Birnie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Brian J Anderson
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christine T Chambers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Geert Crombez
- Department of Clinical-Experimental and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gustaf Ljungman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Neil Schechter
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine B Sieberg
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dick Tibboel
- Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Suellen M Walker
- Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Dominic Wilkinson
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chantal Wood
- Department of Spine Surgery and Neuromodulation, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
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31
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Tremblay MÈ. A Diversity of Cell Types, Subtypes and Phenotypes in the Central Nervous System: The Importance of Studying Their Complex Relationships. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:628347. [PMID: 33424557 PMCID: PMC7785523 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.628347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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32
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Smedlund KB, Hill JW. The role of non-neuronal cells in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110996. [PMID: 32860862 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is controlled by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) released by the hypothalamus. Disruption of this system leads to impaired reproductive maturation and function, a condition known as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Most studies to date have focused on genetic causes of HH that impact neuronal development and function. However, variants may also impact the functioning of non-neuronal cells known as glia. Glial cells make up 50% of brain cells of humans, primates, and rodents. They include radial glial cells, microglia, astrocytes, tanycytes, oligodendrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Many of these cells influence the hypothalamic neuroendocrine system controlling fertility. Indeed, glia regulate GnRH neuronal activity and secretion, acting both at their cell bodies and their nerve endings. Recent work has also made clear that these interactions are an essential aspect of how the HPG axis integrates endocrine, metabolic, and environmental signals to control fertility. Recognition of the clinical importance of interactions between glia and the GnRH network may pave the way for the development of new treatment strategies for dysfunctions of puberty and adult fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn B Smedlund
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA; Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Jennifer W Hill
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA; Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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33
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Hao X, Pan J, Gao X, Zhang S, Li Y. Gut microbiota on gender bias in autism spectrum disorder. Rev Neurosci 2020; 32:/j/revneuro.ahead-of-print/revneuro-2020-0042/revneuro-2020-0042.xml. [PMID: 32887209 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Its three core symptoms are social communication disorder, communication disorder, narrow interest and stereotyped repetitive behavior. The proportion of male and female autistic patients is 4:1. Many researchers have studied this phenomenon, but the mechanism is still unclear. This review mainly discusses the related mechanism from the perspective of gut microbiota and introduces the influence of gut microbiota on the difference of ASD between men and women, as well as how gut microbiota may affect the gender dimorphism of ASD through metabolite of microbiota, immunity, and genetics, which provide some useful information for those who are interested in this research and find more gender-specific treatment for autistic men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
| | - Jiao Pan
- Department of Microbiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin300071,China
| | - Xiumei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
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34
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Vena AA, Zandy SL, Cofresí RU, Gonzales RA. Behavioral, neurobiological, and neurochemical mechanisms of ethanol self-administration: A translational review. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 212:107573. [PMID: 32437827 PMCID: PMC7580704 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder has multiple characteristics including excessive ethanol consumption, impaired control over drinking behaviors, craving and withdrawal symptoms, compulsive seeking behaviors, and is considered a chronic condition. Relapse is common. Determining the neurobiological targets of ethanol and the adaptations induced by chronic ethanol exposure is critical to understanding the clinical manifestation of alcohol use disorders, the mechanisms underlying the various features of the disorder, and for informing medication development. In the present review, we discuss ethanol's interactions with a variety of neurotransmitter systems, summarizing findings from preclinical and translational studies to highlight recent progress in the field. We then describe animal models of ethanol self-administration, emphasizing the value, limitations, and validity of commonly used models. Lastly, we summarize the behavioral changes induced by chronic ethanol self-administration, with an emphasis on cue-elicited behavior, the role of ethanol-related memories, and the emergence of habitual ethanol seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Vena
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, United States of America
| | | | - Roberto U Cofresí
- Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, United States of America
| | - Rueben A Gonzales
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, United States of America.
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35
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Li LZ, Huang YY, Yang ZH, Zhang SJ, Han ZP, Luo YM. Potential microglia-based interventions for stroke. CNS Neurosci Ther 2020; 26:288-296. [PMID: 32064759 PMCID: PMC7052807 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of families worldwide suffer from the physical and mental burden posed by stroke. An increasing number of studies aimed at the prevention and treatment of stroke have been conducted. Specifically, manipulating the immune response to stroke is under intense investigation. Microglia are the principal immune cells in the brain and are the first line of defense against the pathophysiology induced by stroke. Increasing evidence has suggested that microglia play diverse roles that depend on dynamic interactions with neurons, astrocytes, and other neighboring cells both in the normal brain and under pathological conditions, including stroke. Moreover, there are dynamic alterations in microglial functions with respect to aging and sex differences in the human brain, which offer a deep understanding of the conditions of stroke patients of different ages and sex. Hence, we review the dynamic microglial reactions caused by aging, sex, and crosstalk with neighboring cells both in normal conditions and after stroke and relevant potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Zhi Li
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-You Huang
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-Hong Yang
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Jia Zhang
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Ping Han
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Min Luo
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
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36
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Giatti S, Diviccaro S, Serafini MM, Caruso D, Garcia-Segura LM, Viviani B, Melcangi RC. Sex differences in steroid levels and steroidogenesis in the nervous system: Physiopathological role. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 56:100804. [PMID: 31689419 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system, in addition to be a target for steroid hormones, is the source of a variety of neuroactive steroids, which are synthesized and metabolized by neurons and glial cells. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of neurosteroidogenic proteins and enzymes and the levels of neuroactive steroids are different in the nervous system of males and females. We here summarized the state of the art of neuroactive steroids, particularly taking in consideration sex differences occurring in the synthesis and levels of these molecules. In addition, we discuss the consequences of sex differences in neurosteroidogenesis for the function of the nervous system under healthy and pathological conditions and the implications of neuroactive steroids and neurosteroidogenesis for the development of sex-specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Diviccaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Melania Maria Serafini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Donatella Caruso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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Tannenbaum C, Boksa P. Sex: a key consideration in understanding the etiology of psychiatric disorders and improving treatment. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2019; 44:364-366. [PMID: 31657538 PMCID: PMC6821507 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.190165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cara Tannenbaum
- From the Institute of Gender and Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Que., Canada (Tannenbaum); and the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada (Boksa)
| | - Patricia Boksa
- From the Institute of Gender and Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Que., Canada (Tannenbaum); and the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada (Boksa)
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38
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Bollinger JL, Salinas I, Fender E, Sengelaub DR, Wellman CL. Gonadal hormones differentially regulate sex-specific stress effects on glia in the medial prefrontal cortex. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12762. [PMID: 31228875 PMCID: PMC6715499 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Women are more susceptible to various stress-linked psychopathologies, including depression. Dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been implicated in depression, and studies indicate sex differences in stress effects on mPFC structure and function. For example, chronic stress induces dendritic atrophy in the mPFC in male rats, yet dendritic growth in females. Recent findings suggest glial pathways toward depression. Glia are highly responsive to neuronal activity and function as critical regulators of synaptic plasticity. Preclinical models demonstrate stress-induced microglial activation in mPFC in males, yet deactivation in females. By contrast, stress reduces astrocyte complexity in mPFC in male rats, whereas the effects in females are unknown. Glia possess receptors for most gonadal hormones and gonadal hormones are known to modulate neuronal activity. Thus, gonadal hormones represent a potential mechanism underlying sex differences in glia, as well as divergent stress effects. Therefore, we examined the role of gonadal hormones in sex-specific stress effects on neuronal activity (ie FosB/ ΔFosB induction) and glia in the mPFC. The findings obtained indicate greater microglial activation in mPFC in females and a greater astrocyte area in males. Basal astrocyte morphology is modulated by androgens, whereas androgens or oestrogens dampen the microglial state in males. Astrocyte morphology is associated with neuronal activity in both sexes, regardless of hormonal condition. Chronic stress induced astrocytic atrophy in males, yet hypertrophy in females, with gonadal hormones partly regulating this difference. Stress effects on microglia are oestradiol-dependent in females. Taken together, these data suggest sex-specific, gonadal hormone-dependent stress effects on astrocytes and microglia in the mPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin L Bollinger
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Isabella Salinas
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Emily Fender
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Dale R Sengelaub
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Cara L Wellman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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39
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Schwarz JM. Frank Beach Award Winner - The future of mental health research: Examining the interactions of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems between mother and infant and how they affect mental health. Horm Behav 2019; 114:104521. [PMID: 30981689 PMCID: PMC7367439 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are periods of significant change in the immune and endocrine systems. This period of life is also associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders in the mother, and an increased risk of developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders in her infant. The collective data described here supports the idea that peripartum mood disorders in mother and developmental disorders in her infant likely reflects multiple pathogeneses, stemming from various interactions between the immune, endocrine and nervous systems, thereby resulting in various symptom constellations. In this case, testing the mechanisms underlying specific symptoms of these disorders (e.g. deficits in specific types of learning or anhedonia) may provide a better understanding of the various physiological interactions and multiple etiologies that most likely underlie the risk of mental health disorders during this unique time in life. The goal here is to summarize the current understanding of how immune and endocrine factors contribute to maternal mental health, while simultaneously understanding the impact these unique interactions have on the developing brain of her infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn M Schwarz
- University of Delaware, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 108 Wolf Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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Gandhi K, Montoya‐Uribe V, Martinez S, David S, Jain B, Shim G, Li C, Jenkins S, Nathanielsz P, Schlabritz‐Loutsevitch N. Ontogeny and programming of the fetal temporal cortical endocannabinoid system by moderate maternal nutrient reduction in baboons (Papio spp.). Physiol Rep 2019; 7:e14024. [PMID: 30912236 PMCID: PMC6434170 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor nutrition during pregnancy is a worldwide public health problem. Maternal nutrient reduction (MNR) is associated with maternal and fetal stress and a sex-dependent decrease in nonhuman primate (NHP) cognitive performance. Early life stress potentiates epileptogenesis in a sex-specific manner, and temporal lobe (TL) epilepsy is associated with neurocognitive disorders. The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) demonstrates remarkable developmental changes and plays a key role in aging-related diseases (e.g., dementia). Baboons have been studied as a natural model of epilepsy and express all ECS system components. We therefore evaluated baboon fetal temporal cortex ECS ontogenic and MNR-dependent changes. At 120 days gestational age (dGA) (term 185 days), maternal, fetal, and placental morphometry were similar between control and MNR pregnancies. MNR maternal weight gain was decreased compared with controls at 165 dGA independent of fetal sex. In male fetuses, expression of ECS synthesizing and degrading enzymes was gestational age-dependent, with the exception of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). MNR had a sex-specific effect on the protein expression of CB1R during development: CB1R protein expression was decreased in fetal temporal cortex of male fetuses at 120 and 140 dGA. Our data reveal that the MNR has sex-specific effects on temporal cortical expression of the ECS in baboon offspring and shows vulnerability of ECS in male fetuses during gestation.
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MESH Headings
- Amidohydrolases/genetics
- Amidohydrolases/metabolism
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Caloric Restriction
- Endocannabinoids/genetics
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Female
- Fetal Development
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
- Gestational Age
- Male
- Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Papio
- Pregnancy
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Sex Factors
- Signal Transduction
- Temporal Lobe/growth & development
- Temporal Lobe/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Gandhi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTexas Tech University Health sciences Center at the Permian BasinOdessaTexas
| | | | - Stacy Martinez
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTexas Tech University Health sciences Center at the Permian BasinOdessaTexas
| | - Samuel David
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Texas at the Permian BasinOdessaTexas
| | - Bobby Jain
- Department of PsychiatryTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian BasinOdessaTexas
| | - Grace Shim
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTexas Tech University Health sciences Center at the Permian BasinOdessaTexas
| | - Cun Li
- University of WyomingLaramieWyoming
- Texas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTexas
| | - Susan Jenkins
- University of WyomingLaramieWyoming
- Texas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTexas
| | - Peter Nathanielsz
- University of WyomingLaramieWyoming
- Texas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTexas
| | - Natalia Schlabritz‐Loutsevitch
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTexas Tech University Health sciences Center at the Permian BasinOdessaTexas
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Texas at the Permian BasinOdessaTexas
- Department of Neurobiology and PharmacologyTexas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbockTexas
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Priming of Adult Incision Response by Early-Life Injury: Neonatal Microglial Inhibition Has Persistent But Sexually Dimorphic Effects in Adult Rats. J Neurosci 2019; 39:3081-3093. [PMID: 30796159 PMCID: PMC6468109 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1786-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hindpaw incision primes developing spinal nociceptive circuitry, resulting in enhanced hyperalgesia following reinjury in adulthood. Spinal microglia contribute to this persistent effect, and microglial inhibition at the time of adult reincision blocks the enhanced hyperalgesia. Here, we pharmacologically inhibited microglial function with systemic minocycline or intrathecal SB203580 at the time of neonatal incision and evaluated sex-dependent differences following adult reincision. Incision in adult male and female rats induced equivalent hyperalgesia and spinal dorsal horn expression of genes associated with microglial proliferation (Emr1) and transformation to a reactive phenotype (Irf8). In control adults with prior neonatal incision, the enhanced degree and duration of incision-induced hyperalgesia and spinal microglial responses to reincision were equivalent in males and females. However, microglial inhibition at the time of the neonatal incision revealed sex-dependent effects: the persistent mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia following reincision in adulthood was prevented in males but unaffected in females. Similarly, reincision induced Emr1 and Irf8 gene expression was downregulated in males, but not in females, following neonatal incision with minocycline. To evaluate the distribution of reincision hyperalgesia, prior neonatal incision was performed at different body sites. Hyperalgesia was maximal when the same paw was reincised, and was increased following prior incision at ipsilateral, but not contralateral, sites, supporting a segmentally restricted spinal mechanism. These data highlight the contribution of spinal microglial mechanisms to persistent effects of early-life injury in males, and sex-dependent differences in the ability of microglial inhibition to prevent the transition to a persistent pain state span developmental stages.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Following the same surgery, some patients develop persistent pain. Contributory mechanisms are not fully understood, but early-life experience and sex/gender may influence the transition to chronic pain. Surgery and painful procedural interventions in vulnerable preterm neonates are associated with long-term alterations in somatosensory function and pain that differ in males and females. Surgical injury in neonatal rodents primes the developing nociceptive system and enhances reinjury response in adulthood. Neuroimmune interactions are critical mediators of persistent pain, but sex-dependent differences in spinal neuroglial signaling influence the efficacy of microglial inhibitors following adult injury. Neonatal microglial inhibition has beneficial long-term effects on reinjury response in adult males only, emphasizing the importance of evaluating sex-dependent differences at all ages in preclinical studies.
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Ruszkiewicz JA, Miranda-Vizuete A, Tinkov AA, Skalnaya MG, Skalny AV, Tsatsakis A, Aschner M. Sex-Specific Differences in Redox Homeostasis in Brain Norm and Disease. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 67:312-342. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1241-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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