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Liu Y, Wei C, Yang Y, Zhu Z, Ren Y, Pi R. In situ chemical reprogramming of astrocytes into neurons: A new hope for the treatment of central neurodegenerative diseases? Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 982:176930. [PMID: 39179093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Central neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD)) are tightly associated with extensive neuron loss. Current therapeutic interventions merely mitigate the symptoms of these diseases, falling short of addressing the fundamental issue of neuron loss. Cell reprogramming, involving the transition of a cell from one gene expression profile to another, has made significant strides in the conversion between diverse somatic cell types. This advancement has been facilitated by gene editing techniques or the synergistic application of small molecules, enabling the conversion of glial cells into functional neurons. Despite this progress, the potential for in situ reprogramming of astrocytes in treating neurodegenerative disorders faces challenges such as immune rejection and genotoxicity. A novel avenue emerges through chemical reprogramming of astrocytes utilizing small molecules, circumventing genotoxic effects and unlocking substantial clinical utility. Recent studies have successfully demonstrated the in situ conversion of astrocytes into neurons using small molecules. Nonetheless, these findings have sparked debates, encompassing queries regarding the origin of newborn neurons, pivotal molecular targets, and alterations in metabolic pathways. This review succinctly delineates the background of astrocytes reprogramming, meticulously surveys the principal classes of small molecule combinations employed thus far, and examines the complex signaling pathways they activate. Finally, this article delves into the potential vistas awaiting exploration in the realm of astrocytes chemical reprogramming, heralding a promising future for advancing our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Cailv Wei
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Zeyu Zhu
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yu Ren
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Rongbiao Pi
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China; International Joint Laboratory (SYSU-PolyU HK) of Novel Anti-Dementia Drugs of Guangdong, Shenzhen, 518107, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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2
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Atella TC, Medina JM, Atella GC, Allodi S, Kluck GEG. Neuroprotective Effects of Metformin Through AMPK Activation in a Neurotoxin-Based Model of Cerebellar Ataxia. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:5102-5116. [PMID: 38165584 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03892-w] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxia is a heterogeneous group of neural disorders clinically characterized by cerebellar dysfunction. The diagnosis of patients with progressive cerebellar ataxia is complex due to the direct correlation with other neuron diseases. Although there is still no cure for this pathological condition, some metabolic, hereditary, inflammatory, and immunological factors affecting cerebellar ataxia are being studied and may become therapeutic targets. Advances in studying the neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, and molecular biology of the cerebellum (CE) contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the development of this disorder. In this study, Wistar rats aged 30 to 35 days were injected intraperitoneally with 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) and/or metformin (for AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) enzyme activation) and euthanized in 24 hours and 4 days after injection. We analyzed the neuromodulatory role of the AMPK on cerebellar ataxia induced by the neurotoxin 3-AP in the brain stem (BS) and CE, after pre-treatment for 7 and 15 days with metformin, a pharmacological indirect activator of AMPK. The results shown here suggest that AMPK activation in the BS and CE leads to a significant reduction in neuroinflammation in these regions. AMPK was able to restore the changes in fatty acid composition and pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by 3-AP, suggesting that the action of AMPK seems to result in a possible neuroprotection on the cerebellar ataxia model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tainá C Atella
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia Comparativa e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge M Medina
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídios e Lipoproteínas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Georgia C Atella
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídios e Lipoproteínas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Silvana Allodi
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia Comparativa e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - George E G Kluck
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Lipídios e Lipoproteínas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton General Hospital Campus, 237 Barton St E, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2X2, Canada.
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3
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Deckers C, Karbalaei R, Miles NA, Harder EV, Witt E, Harris EP, Reissner K, Wimmer ME, Bangasser DA. Early resource scarcity causes cortical astrocyte enlargement and sex-specific changes in the orbitofrontal cortex transcriptome in adult rats. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 29:100607. [PMID: 38304302 PMCID: PMC10831308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocyte morphology affects function, including the regulation of glutamatergic signaling. This morphology changes dynamically in response to the environment. However, how early life manipulations alter adult cortical astrocyte morphology is underexplored. Our lab uses brief postnatal resource scarcity, the limited bedding and nesting (LBN) manipulation, in rats. We previously found that LBN augments maternal behaviors and promotes later resilience to adult addiction-related behaviors, reducing impulsivity, risky decision-making, and morphine self-administration. These behaviors rely on glutamatergic transmission in the medial orbitofrontal (mOFC) and medial prefrontal (mPFC) cortex. Here we tested whether LBN changed astrocyte morphology in the mOFC and mPFC of adult rats using a novel viral approach that, unlike traditional markers, fully labels astrocytes. Prior exposure to LBN causes an increase in the surface area and volume of astrocytes in the mOFC and mPFC of adult males and females relative to control-raised rats. We next used bulk RNA sequencing of OFC tissue to assess transcriptional changes that could increase astrocyte size in LBN rats. LBN caused mainly sex-specific changes in differentially expressed genes. Pathway analysis revealed that OFC glutamatergic signaling is altered by LBN in males and females, but the gene changes in that pathway differed across sex. This may represent a convergent sex difference where glutamatergic signaling, which affects astrocyte morphology, is altered by LBN via sex-specific mechanisms. Collectively, these studies highlight that astrocytes may be an important cell type that mediates the effect of early resource scarcity on adult brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Deckers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Reza Karbalaei
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Nylah A. Miles
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Eden V. Harder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Emily Witt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Erin P. Harris
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Kathryn Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mathieu E. Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Debra A. Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
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4
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Manu DR, Slevin M, Barcutean L, Forro T, Boghitoiu T, Balasa R. Astrocyte Involvement in Blood-Brain Barrier Function: A Critical Update Highlighting Novel, Complex, Neurovascular Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17146. [PMID: 38138976 PMCID: PMC10743219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417146] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders have been linked to a defective blood-brain barrier (BBB), with dysfunctions triggered by stage-specific disease mechanisms, some of these being generated through interactions in the neurovascular unit (NVU). Advanced knowledge of molecular and signaling mechanisms in the NVU and the emergence of improved experimental models allow BBB permeability prediction and the development of new brain-targeted therapies. As NVU constituents, astrocytes are the most numerous glial cells, characterized by a heterogeneity that occurs as a result of developmental and context-based gene expression profiles and the differential expression of non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Due to their heterogeneity and dynamic responses to different signals, astrocytes may have a beneficial or detrimental role in the BBB's barrier function, with deep effects on the pathophysiology of (and on the progression of) central nervous system diseases. The implication of astrocytic-derived extracellular vesicles in pathological mechanisms, due to their ability to pass the BBB, must also be considered. The molecular mechanisms of astrocytes' interaction with endothelial cells at the BBB level are considered promising therapeutic targets in different neurological conditions. Nevertheless, a personalized and well-founded approach must be addressed, due to the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of reactive astrogliosis states during disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doina Ramona Manu
- Centre for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; (D.R.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Mark Slevin
- Centre for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; (D.R.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
| | - Laura Barcutean
- Neurology 1 Clinic, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Department of Neurology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Timea Forro
- Doctoral School, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Tudor Boghitoiu
- Psychiatry II Clinic, County Clinical Hospital, 540072 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Rodica Balasa
- Neurology 1 Clinic, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Department of Neurology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
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5
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Mockenhaupt K, Tyc KM, McQuiston A, Gonsiewski AK, Zarei-Kheirabadi M, Hariprashad A, Biswas DD, Gupta AS, Olex AL, Singh SK, Waters MR, Dupree JL, Dozmorov MG, Kordula T. Yin Yang 1 controls cerebellar astrocyte maturation. Glia 2023; 71:2437-2455. [PMID: 37417428 PMCID: PMC10529878 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24434] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Diverse subpopulations of astrocytes tile different brain regions to accommodate local requirements of neurons and associated neuronal circuits. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms governing astrocyte diversity remain mostly unknown. We explored the role of a zinc finger transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) that is expressed in astrocytes. We found that specific deletion of YY1 from astrocytes causes severe motor deficits in mice, induces Bergmann gliosis, and results in simultaneous loss of GFAP expression in velate and fibrous cerebellar astrocytes. Single cell RNA-seq analysis showed that YY1 exerts specific effects on gene expression in subpopulations of cerebellar astrocytes. We found that although YY1 is dispensable for the initial stages of astrocyte development, it regulates subtype-specific gene expression during astrocyte maturation. Moreover, YY1 is continuously needed to maintain mature astrocytes in the adult cerebellum. Our findings suggest that YY1 plays critical roles regulating cerebellar astrocyte maturation during development and maintaining a mature phenotype of astrocytes in the adult cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karli Mockenhaupt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Katarzyna M. Tyc
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Massey Cancer Center Bioinformatics Shared Resource Core, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Adam McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Alexandra K. Gonsiewski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Masoumeh Zarei-Kheirabadi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Avani Hariprashad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Debolina D. Biswas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Angela S. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Amy L. Olex
- C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Sandeep K. Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Michael R. Waters
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jeff L. Dupree
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Research Service, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Mikhail G. Dozmorov
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Tomasz Kordula
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- The Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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6
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Deckers C, Karbalaei R, Miles NA, Harder EV, Witt E, Harris EP, Reissner K, Wimmer ME, Bangasser DA. Early resource scarcity causes cortical astrocyte enlargement and sex-specific changes in the orbitofrontal cortex transcriptome in adult rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.01.547315. [PMID: 37425737 PMCID: PMC10327175 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.01.547315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Astrocyte morphology affects function, including the regulation of glutamatergic signaling. This morphology changes dynamically in response to the environment. However, how early life manipulations alter adult cortical astrocyte morphology is underexplored. Our lab uses brief postnatal resource scarcity, the limited bedding and nesting (LBN) manipulation, in rats. We previously found that LBN promotes later resilience to adult addiction-related behaviors, reducing impulsivity, risky decision-making, and morphine self-administration. These behaviors rely on glutamatergic transmission in the medial orbitofrontal (mOFC) and medial prefrontal (mPFC) cortex. Here we tested whether LBN changed astrocyte morphology in the mOFC and mPFC of adult rats using a novel viral approach that, unlike traditional markers, fully labels astrocytes. Prior exposure to LBN causes an increase in the surface area and volume of astrocytes in the mOFC and mPFC of adult males and females relative to control-raised rats. We next used bulk RNA sequencing of OFC tissue to assess transcriptional changes that could increase astrocyte size in LBN rats. LBN caused mainly sex-specific changes in differentially expressed genes. However, Park7, which encodes for the protein DJ-1 that alters astrocyte morphology, was increased by LBN across sex. Pathway analysis revealed that OFC glutamatergic signaling is altered by LBN in males and females, but the gene changes in that pathway differed across sex. This may represent a convergent sex difference where glutamatergic signaling, which affects astrocyte morphology, is altered by LBN via sex-specific mechanisms. Collectively, these studies highlight that astrocytes may be an important cell type that mediates the effect of early resource scarcity on adult brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Deckers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Reza Karbalaei
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Nylah A Miles
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Eden V Harder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Emily Witt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Erin P Harris
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta
| | - Kathryn Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta
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7
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Pavlou MAS, Singh K, Ravichandran S, Halder R, Nicot N, Birck C, Grandbarbe L, Del Sol A, Michelucci A. Transcriptional and Chromatin Accessibility Profiling of Neural Stem Cells Differentiating into Astrocytes Reveal Dynamic Signatures Affected under Inflammatory Conditions. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060948. [PMID: 36980289 PMCID: PMC10047363 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes arise from multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) and represent the most abundant cell type of the central nervous system (CNS), playing key roles in the developing and adult brain. Since the differentiation of NSCs towards a gliogenic fate is a precisely timed and regulated process, its perturbation gives rise to dysfunctional astrocytic phenotypes. Inflammation, which often underlies neurological disorders, including neurodevelopmental disorders and brain tumors, disrupts the accurate developmental process of NSCs. However, the specific consequences of an inflammatory environment on the epigenetic and transcriptional programs underlying NSCs' differentiation into astrocytes is unexplored. Here, we address this gap by profiling in mice glial precursors from neural tissue derived from early embryonic stages along their astrocytic differentiation trajectory in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a master pro-inflammatory cytokine. By using a combination of RNA- and ATAC-sequencing approaches, together with footprint and integrated gene regulatory network analyses, we here identify key differences during the differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes under physiological and inflammatory settings. In agreement with its role to turn cells resistant to inflammatory challenges, we detect Nrf2 as a master transcription factor supporting the astrocytic differentiation under TNF exposure. Further, under these conditions, we unravel additional transcriptional regulatory hubs, including Stat3, Smad3, Cebpb, and Nfkb2, highlighting the interplay among pathways underlying physiological astrocytic developmental processes and those involved in inflammatory responses, resulting in discrete astrocytic phenotypes. Overall, our study reports key transcriptional and epigenetic changes leading to the identification of molecular regulators of astrocytic differentiation. Furthermore, our analyses provide a valuable resource for understanding inflammation-induced astrocytic phenotypes that might contribute to the development and progression of CNS disorders with an inflammatory component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angeliki S Pavlou
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Neuro-Immunology Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Kartikeya Singh
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Srikanth Ravichandran
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Rashi Halder
- Scientific Central Services, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Nathalie Nicot
- Translational Medicine Operations Hub, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg
- LuxGen Genome Center, Luxembourg Institute of Health & Laboratoire National de Santé, L-3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Cindy Birck
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Luc Grandbarbe
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Antonio Del Sol
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Computational Biology Group, CIC bioGUNE-BRTA (Basque Research and Technology Alliance), 48160 Derio, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alessandro Michelucci
- Neuro-Immunology Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Scientific Central Services, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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8
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Direct Cell Reprogramming and Phenotypic Conversion: An Analysis of Experimental Attempts to Transform Astrocytes into Neurons in Adult Animals. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040618. [PMID: 36831283 PMCID: PMC9954435 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) repair after injury or disease remains an unresolved problem in neurobiology research and an unmet medical need. Directly reprogramming or converting astrocytes to neurons (AtN) in adult animals has been investigated as a potential strategy to facilitate brain and spinal cord recovery and advance fundamental biology. Conceptually, AtN strategies rely on forced expression or repression of lineage-specific transcription factors to make endogenous astrocytes become "induced neurons" (iNs), presumably without re-entering any pluripotent or multipotent states. The AtN-derived cells have been reported to manifest certain neuronal functions in vivo. However, this approach has raised many new questions and alternative explanations regarding the biological features of the end products (e.g., iNs versus neuron-like cells, neural functional changes, etc.), developmental biology underpinnings, and neurobiological essentials. For this paper per se, we proposed to draw an unconventional distinction between direct cell conversion and direct cell reprogramming, relative to somatic nuclear transfer, based on the experimental methods utilized to initiate the transformation process, aiming to promote a more in-depth mechanistic exploration. Moreover, we have summarized the current tactics employed for AtN induction, comparisons between the bench endeavors concerning outcome tangibility, and discussion of the issues of published AtN protocols. Lastly, the urgency to clearly define/devise the theoretical frameworks, cell biological bases, and bench specifics to experimentally validate primary data of AtN studies was highlighted.
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9
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Yuan Y, Wu Q, Huo L, Wang H, Liu X. Case report: Alexander's disease with "head drop" as the main symptom and literature review. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1002527. [PMID: 36601294 PMCID: PMC9807021 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1002527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander's disease (AxD) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary disorder that is caused by the mutations in the GFAP gene, which encodes the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). This neurogenerative disease has many clinical manifestations, and the onset of disease spans a wide range of ages, from newborns to children, adults, and even the elderly. An overaccumulation of the expression of GFAP has a close causal relationship with the pathogenesis of Alexander's disease. Usually, the disease has severe morbidity and high mortality, and can be divided into three distinct subgroups that are based on the age of clinical presentation: infantile (0-2 years), juvenile (2-13 years), and adult (>13 years). Children often present with epilepsy, macrocephaly, and psychomotor retardation, while adolescents and adults mainly present with muscle weakness, spasticity, and bulbar symptoms. Atonic seizures are a type of epilepsy that often appears in the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and myoclonic-astatic epilepsy in early childhood; however, the prognosis is often poor. Atonic episodes are characterized by a sudden or frequent reduction in muscle tone that can be local (such as head, neck, or limb) or generalized. Here, we report a 4-year-old girl whose main symptoms were intermittent head drop movements, which could break the frontal frame and even bleed in severe conditions. A video-encephalography (VEEG) showed that the nodding movements were atonic seizures. A head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal signals in the bilateral paraventricular and bilateral subfrontal cortex. The gene detection analyses indicated that the GFAP gene exon 1 c.262 C>T was caused by a heterozygous mutation, as both her parents were of the wild-type. The girl had no other abnormal manifestations except atonic seizures. She could communicate normally and go to kindergarten. After an oral administration of sodium valproate, there were no atonic attacks. Although epilepsy is a common symptom of Alexander's disease, atonic seizures have not been reported to date. Therefore, we report a case of Alexander's disease with atonic seizures as the main symptom and provide a review of the literature.
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10
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Leggio L, L'Episcopo F, Magrì A, Ulloa-Navas MJ, Paternò G, Vivarelli S, Bastos CAP, Tirolo C, Testa N, Caniglia S, Risiglione P, Pappalardo F, Serra A, García-Tárraga P, Faria N, Powell JJ, Peruzzotti-Jametti L, Pluchino S, García-Verdugo JM, Messina A, Marchetti B, Iraci N. Small Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Nigrostriatal Astrocytes Rescue Cell Death and Preserve Mitochondrial Function in Parkinson's Disease. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2201203. [PMID: 35856921 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as powerful players in cell-to-cell communication both in healthy and diseased brain. In Parkinson's disease (PD)-characterized by selective dopaminergic neuron death in ventral midbrain (VMB) and degeneration of their terminals in striatum (STR)-astrocytes exert dual harmful/protective functions, with mechanisms not fully elucidated. Here, this study shows that astrocytes from the VMB-, STR-, and VMB/STR-depleted brains release a population of small EVs in a region-specific manner. Interestingly, VMB-astrocytes secreted the highest rate of EVs, which is further exclusively increased in response to CCL3, a chemokine that promotes robust dopaminergic neuroprotection in different PD models. The neuroprotective potential of nigrostriatal astrocyte-EVs is investigated in differentiated versus undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells exposed to oxidative stress and mitochondrial toxicity. EVs from both VMB- and STR-astrocytes counteract H2 O2 -induced caspase-3 activation specifically in differentiated cells, with EVs from CCL3-treated astrocytes showing a higher protective effect. High resolution respirometry further reveals that nigrostriatal astrocyte-EVs rescue neuronal mitochondrial complex I function impaired by the neurotoxin MPP+ . Notably, only EVs from VMB-astrocyte fully restore ATP production, again specifically in differentiated SH-SY5Y. These results highlight a regional diversity in the nigrostriatal system for the secretion and activities of astrocyte-EVs, with neuroprotective implications for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Magrì
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - María José Ulloa-Navas
- Laboratory of Compared Neurobiology, University of Valencia-CIBERNED, Paterna, 46980, Spain.,Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32257, USA
| | - Greta Paternò
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Carlos A P Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | | | - Nunzio Testa
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, 94018, Italy
| | | | - Pierpaolo Risiglione
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Pappalardo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | | | | | - Nuno Faria
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Jonathan J Powell
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | | | - Stefano Pluchino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Angela Messina
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Bianca Marchetti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, 94018, Italy
| | - Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
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11
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Aleksandrova MA, Sukhinich KK. Astrocytes of the Brain: Retinue Plays the King. Russ J Dev Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360422040026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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12
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Zhang Y, Lei L, Zhou H, Lu X, Cai F, Li T. Roles of Micro Ribonucleic Acids in Astrocytes After Cerebral Stroke. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:890762. [PMID: 35755778 PMCID: PMC9218061 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.890762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral stroke is one of the highest-ranking causes of death and the leading cause of disability globally, particularly with an increasing incidence and prevalence in developing countries. Steadily more evidence has indicated that micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) have important regulatory functions in gene transcription and translation in the course of cerebral stroke. It is beyond arduous to understand the pathophysiology of cerebral stroke, due in part to the perplexity of influencing the network of the inflammatory response, brain edema, autophagy and neuronal apoptosis. The recent research shows miRNA plays a key role in regulating aquaporin 4 (AQP4), and many essential pathological processes after cerebral stroke. This article reviews the recent knowledge on how miRNA influences the inflammatory response, brain edema, infarction size, and neuronal injury after cerebral stroke. In addition, some miRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers in stroke diagnosis and therapy since the expression of some miRNAs in the blood is stable after cerebral stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuansheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Kunming University of Science and Technology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Li Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Kunming University of Science and Technology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Kunming University of Science and Technology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoyang Lu
- Translational Neurosurgery and Neurobiology, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Feifei Cai
- Department of Radiology, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Kunming University of Science and Technology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
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13
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Kim HB, Lu Y, Oh SC, Morris J, Miyashiro K, Kim J, Eberwine J, Sul JY. Astrocyte ethanol exposure reveals persistent and defined calcium response subtypes and associated gene signatures. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102147. [PMID: 35716779 PMCID: PMC9293641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play a critical role in brain function, but their contribution during ethanol (EtOH) consumption remains largely understudied. In light of recent findings on the heterogeneity of astrocyte physiology and gene expression, an approach with the ability to identify subtypes and capture this heterogeneity is necessary. Here, we combined measurements of calcium signaling and gene expression to define EtOH-induced astrocyte subtypes. In the absence of a demonstrated EtOH receptor, EtOH is believed to have effects on the function of many receptors and downstream biological cascades that underlie calcium responsiveness. This mechanism of EtOH-induced calcium signaling is unknown and this study provides the first step in understanding the characteristics of cells displaying these observed responses. To characterize underlying astrocyte subtypes, we assessed the correlation between calcium signaling and astrocyte gene expression signature in response to EtOH. We found that various EtOH doses increased intracellular calcium levels in a subset of astrocytes, distinguishing three cellular response types and one nonresponsive subtype as categorized by response waveform properties. Furthermore, single-cell RNA-seq analysis of astrocytes from the different response types identified type-enriched discriminatory gene expression signatures. Combining single-cell calcium responses and gene expression analysis identified specific astrocyte subgroups among astrocyte populations defined by their response to EtOH. This result provides a basis for identifying the relationship between astrocyte susceptibility to EtOH and corresponding measurable markers of calcium signaling and gene expression, which will be useful to investigate potential subgroup-specific influences of astrocytes on the physiology and pathology of EtOH exposure in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Bum Kim
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Youtao Lu
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Seonkyung C Oh
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacqueline Morris
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kevin Miyashiro
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Junhyong Kim
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; PENN Program in Single Cell Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James Eberwine
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; PENN Program in Single Cell Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jai-Yoon Sul
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; PENN Program in Single Cell Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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14
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Ahn JJ, Islam Y, Miller RH. Cell type specific isolation of primary astrocytes and microglia from adult mouse spinal cord. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 375:109599. [PMID: 35460698 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109599] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes and microglia are essential cellular elements of the CNS that are critical for normal development, function, and injury responses. Both cell types are highly pleiotropic and respond rapidly to environmental changes, making them challenging to characterize. One approach is to develop efficient isolation paradigms of distinct cell populations, allowing for characterization of their roles in distinct CNS regions and in pathological states. NEW METHOD We have developed an efficient and reliable protocol for isolation of astrocytes and microglia from the adult mouse spinal cord, which can be easily manipulated for immediate or future analyses. This method involves (1) rapid tissue dissociation; (2) cell release after myelin debris removal; (3) magnetic-activated cell sorting; and (4) optional downstream molecular and functional analyses. RESULTS High levels of viability and purity of the cells were confirmed after isolation. More importantly, characterization of cells verified their ability to proliferate and respond to external stimuli for potential use in downstream molecular and functional assays. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) Long-term culture of cells isolated from neonatal animals and cell type specific isolation from the brain have been successful; however, isolation of spinal cord cells from adult mice has been challenging due to the large amount of myelin and limited size of the tissue compared to the brain. Our method allows for efficient isolation of astrocytes and microglia from spinal cord alone and includes simple modifications to allow for various downstream applications. CONCLUSIONS This technique will be a valuable tool to better understand the functions of astrocytes and microglia in spinal cord function and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie J Ahn
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 736, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Yusra Islam
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 736, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Robert H Miller
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 736, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
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15
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Gerecke C, Egea Rodrigues C, Homann T, Kleuser B. The Role of Ten-Eleven Translocation Proteins in Inflammation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:861351. [PMID: 35386689 PMCID: PMC8977485 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.861351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation proteins (TET1-3) are dioxygenases that oxidize 5-methyldeoxycytosine, thus taking part in passive and active demethylation. TETs have shown to be involved in immune cell development, affecting from self-renewal of stem cells and lineage commitment to terminal differentiation. In fact, dysfunction of TET proteins have been vastly associated with both myeloid and lymphoid leukemias. Recently, there has been accumulating evidence suggesting that TETs regulate immune cell function during innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby modulating inflammation. In this work, we pursue to review the current and recent evidence on the mechanistic aspects by which TETs regulate immune cell maturation and function. We will also discuss the complex interplay of TET expression and activity by several factors to modulate a multitude of inflammatory processes. Thus, modulating TET enzymes could be a novel pharmacological approach to target inflammation-related diseases and myeloid and lymphoid leukemias, when their activity is dysregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Gerecke
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Caue Egea Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Homann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Burkhard Kleuser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
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16
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Gadolinium-based contrast agent accelerates the migration of astrocyte via integrin αvβ3 signaling pathway. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5850. [PMID: 35393504 PMCID: PMC8990080 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09882-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are chemicals injected intravenously during magnetic resonance imaging to enhance the diagnostic yield. Repeated use of GBCAs causes their deposition in the brain. Such deposition may affect various neuronal cells, including astrocytes. In this study, we examined the effect of GBCAs (Omniscan, Magnescope, Magnevist, and Gadovist) on astrocyte migration, which is critical for formation of neurons during development and maintaining brain homeostasis. All GBCAs increased cell migration and adhesion with increased actin remodelling. Knockdown of integrin αvβ3 by RNAi or exposure to integrin αvβ3 inhibitor reduced astrocyte migration. GBCAs increased phosphorylation of downstream factors of αvβ3, such as FAK, ERK1/2, and Akt. The phosphorylation of all these factors were reduced by RNAi or integrin αvβ3 inhibitor. GBCAs also increased the phosphorylation of their downstream factor, Rac1/cdc42, belonging to the RhoGTPases family. Coexposure to the selective RhoGTPases inhibitors, decreased the effects of GBCAs on cell migration. These findings indicate that GBCAs exert their action via integrin αvβ3 to activate the signaling pathway, resulting in increased astrocyte migration. Thus, the findings of the study suggest that it is important to avoid the repeated use of GBCAs to prevent adverse side effects in the brain, particularly during development.
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17
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Debom GN, Rubenich DS, Braganhol E. Adenosinergic Signaling as a Key Modulator of the Glioma Microenvironment and Reactive Astrocytes. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:648476. [PMID: 35069091 PMCID: PMC8766410 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.648476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are numerous glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and play important roles in brain homeostasis. These cells can directly communicate with neurons by releasing gliotransmitters, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and glutamate, into the multipartite synapse. Moreover, astrocytes respond to tissue injury in the CNS environment. Recently, astrocytic heterogeneity and plasticity have been discussed by several authors, with studies proposing a spectrum of astrocytic activation characterized by A1/neurotoxic and A2/neuroprotective polarization extremes. The fundamental roles of astrocytes in communicating with other cells and sustaining homeostasis are regulated by purinergic signaling. In the CNS environment, the gliotransmitter ATP acts cooperatively with other glial signaling molecules, such as cytokines, which may impact CNS functions by facilitating/inhibiting neurotransmitter release. Adenosine (ADO), the main product of extracellular ATP metabolism, is an important homeostatic modulator and acts as a neuromodulator in synaptic transmission via P1 receptor sensitization. Furthermore, purinergic signaling is a key factor in the tumor microenvironment (TME), as damaged cells release ATP, leading to ADO accumulation in the TME through the ectonucleotidase cascade. Indeed, the enzyme CD73, which converts AMP to ADO, is overexpressed in glioblastoma cells; this upregulation is associated with tumor aggressiveness. Because of the crucial activity of CD73 in these cells, extracellular ADO accumulation in the TME contributes to sustaining glioblastoma immune escape while promoting A2-like activation. The present review describes the importance of ADO in modulating astrocyte polarization and simultaneously promoting tumor growth. We also discuss whether targeting of CD73 to block ADO production can be used as an alternative cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela N Debom
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dominique S Rubenich
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elizandra Braganhol
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Cardiologia - Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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18
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Dele-Oni DO, Christianson KE, Egri SB, Vaca Jacome AS, DeRuff KC, Mullahoo J, Sharma V, Davison D, Ko T, Bula M, Blanchard J, Young JZ, Litichevskiy L, Lu X, Lam D, Asiedu JK, Toder C, Officer A, Peckner R, MacCoss MJ, Tsai LH, Carr SA, Papanastasiou M, Jaffe JD. Proteomic profiling dataset of chemical perturbations in multiple biological backgrounds. Sci Data 2021; 8:226. [PMID: 34433823 PMCID: PMC8387426 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-01008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While gene expression profiling has traditionally been the method of choice for large-scale perturbational profiling studies, proteomics has emerged as an effective tool in this context for directly monitoring cellular responses to perturbations. We previously reported a pilot library containing 3400 profiles of multiple perturbations across diverse cellular backgrounds in the reduced-representation phosphoproteome (P100) and chromatin space (Global Chromatin Profiling, GCP). Here, we expand our original dataset to include profiles from a new set of cardiotoxic compounds and from astrocytes, an additional neural cell model, totaling 5300 proteomic signatures. We describe filtering criteria and quality control metrics used to assess and validate the technical quality and reproducibility of our data. To demonstrate the power of the library, we present two case studies where data is queried using the concept of "connectivity" to obtain biological insight. All data presented in this study have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium with identifiers PXD017458 (P100) and PXD017459 (GCP) and can be queried at https://clue.io/proteomics .
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shawn B Egri
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | | | | | - James Mullahoo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Vagisha Sharma
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Desiree Davison
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Tak Ko
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - Michael Bula
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - Joel Blanchard
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - Jennie Z Young
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - Lev Litichevskiy
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Xiaodong Lu
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Daniel Lam
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Jacob K Asiedu
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Caidin Toder
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Adam Officer
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Ryan Peckner
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | - Michael J MacCoss
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
| | - Steven A Carr
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States
| | | | - Jacob D Jaffe
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, United States.
- Inzen Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States.
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19
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Different Flavors of Astrocytes: Revising the Origins of Astrocyte Diversity and Epigenetic Signatures to Understand Heterogeneity after Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136867. [PMID: 34206710 PMCID: PMC8268487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a specific type of neuroglial cells that confer metabolic and structural support to neurons. Astrocytes populate all regions of the nervous system and adopt a variety of phenotypes depending on their location and their respective functions, which are also pleiotropic in nature. For example, astrocytes adapt to pathological conditions with a specific cellular response known as reactive astrogliosis, which includes extensive phenotypic and transcriptional changes. Reactive astrocytes may lose some of their homeostatic functions and gain protective or detrimental properties with great impact on damage propagation. Different astrocyte subpopulations seemingly coexist in reactive astrogliosis, however, the source of such heterogeneity is not completely understood. Altered cellular signaling in pathological compared to healthy conditions might be one source fueling astrocyte heterogeneity. Moreover, diversity might also be encoded cell-autonomously, for example as a result of astrocyte subtype specification during development. We hypothesize and propose here that elucidating the epigenetic signature underlying the phenotype of each astrocyte subtype is of high relevance to understand another regulative layer of astrocyte heterogeneity, in general as well as after injury or as a result of other pathological conditions. High resolution methods should allow enlightening diverse cell states and subtypes of astrocyte, their adaptation to pathological conditions and ultimately allow controlling and manipulating astrocyte functions in disease states. Here, we review novel literature reporting on astrocyte diversity from a developmental perspective and we focus on epigenetic signatures that might account for cell type specification.
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20
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B Cells in Neuroinflammation: New Perspectives and Mechanistic Insights. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071605. [PMID: 34206848 PMCID: PMC8305155 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the role of B cells in neurological disorders has substantially expanded our perspectives on mechanisms of neuroinflammation. The success of B cell-depleting therapies in patients with CNS diseases such as neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis has highlighted the importance of neuroimmune crosstalk in inflammatory processes. While B cells are essential for the adaptive immune system and antibody production, they are also major contributors of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses in a number of inflammatory diseases. B cells can contribute to neurological diseases through peripheral immune mechanisms, including production of cytokines and antibodies, or through CNS mechanisms following compartmentalization. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant pro- or anti-inflammatory B cell populations contribute to neurological processes, including glial activation, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize recent findings on B cell involvement in neuroinflammatory diseases and discuss evidence to support pathogenic immunomodulatory functions of B cells in neurological disorders, highlighting the importance of B cell-directed therapies.
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21
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Birck C, Ginolhac A, Pavlou MAS, Michelucci A, Heuschling P, Grandbarbe L. NF-κB and TNF Affect the Astrocytic Differentiation from Neural Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:840. [PMID: 33917855 PMCID: PMC8068246 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The NF-κB signaling pathway is crucial during development and inflammatory processes. We have previously shown that NF-κB activation induces dedifferentiation of astrocytes into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here, we provide evidence that the NF-κB pathway plays also a fundamental role during the differentiation of NPCs into astrocytes. First, we show that the NF-κB pathway is essential to initiate astrocytic differentiation as its early inhibition induces NPC apoptosis and impedes their differentiation. Second, we demonstrate that persistent NF-κB activation affects NPC-derived astrocyte differentiation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-treated NPCs show NF-κB activation, maintain their multipotential and proliferation properties, display persistent expression of immature markers and inhibit astrocyte markers. Third, we analyze the effect of NF-κB activation on the main known astrocytic differentiation pathways, such as NOTCH and JAK-STAT. Our findings suggest that the NF-κB pathway plays a dual fundamental role during NPC differentiation into astrocytes: it promotes astrocyte specification, but its persistent activation impedes their differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Birck
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (C.B.); (A.G.); (M.A.S.P.); (P.H.)
| | - Aurélien Ginolhac
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (C.B.); (A.G.); (M.A.S.P.); (P.H.)
| | - Maria Angeliki S. Pavlou
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (C.B.); (A.G.); (M.A.S.P.); (P.H.)
- NORLUX Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Alessandro Michelucci
- NORLUX Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
- Neuro-Immunology Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1526 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Paul Heuschling
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (C.B.); (A.G.); (M.A.S.P.); (P.H.)
| | - Luc Grandbarbe
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (C.B.); (A.G.); (M.A.S.P.); (P.H.)
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22
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Zhang HY, Wang Y, He Y, Wang T, Huang XH, Zhao CM, Zhang L, Li SW, Wang C, Qu YN, Jiang XX. A1 astrocytes contribute to murine depression-like behavior and cognitive dysfunction, which can be alleviated by IL-10 or fluorocitrate treatment. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:200. [PMID: 32611425 PMCID: PMC7331266 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01871-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Astrocytes are crucial regulators in the central nervous system. Abnormal activation of astrocytes contributes to some behavior deficits. However, mechanisms underlying the effects remain unclear. Here, we studied the activation of A1 astrocytes and their contribution to murine behavior deficits. Methods A1 astrocytes were induced by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. The functional phenotype of astrocytes was determined by quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. To assess the role of A1 astrocytes in vivo, mice were injected intraperitoneally with LPS. Then, murine behaviors were tested, and the hippocampus and cortex were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. The function of IL-10 and fluorocitrate on A1 astrocyte activation was also examined. Results Our results show that astrocytes isolated from B6.129S6-Il10tm1Flv/J homozygotes (IL-10tm1/tm1) were prone to characteristics of A1 reactive astrocytes. Compared with their wild-type counterparts, IL-10tm1/tm1 astrocytes exhibited higher expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Whether or not they were stimulated with LPS, IL-10tm1/tm1 astrocytes exhibited enhanced expression of A1-specific transcripts and proinflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα. In addition, IL-10tm1/tm1 astrocytes demonstrated hyperphosphorylation of STAT3. Moreover, astrocytes from IL-10tm1/tm1 mice showed attenuated phagocytic ability and were neurotoxic. IL-10tm1/tm1 mice demonstrated increased immobility time in the forced swim test and defective learning and memory behavior in the Morris water maze test. Moreover, enhanced neuroinflammation was found in the hippocampus and cortex of IL-10tm1/tm1 mice, accompanying with more GFAP-positive astrocytes and severe neuron loss in the hippocampus. Pretreatment IL-10tm1/tm1 mice with IL-10 or fluorocitrate decreased the expression of proinflammatory factors and A1-specific transcripts in the hippocampus and cortex, and then alleviated LPS-induced depressive-like behavior. Conclusion These results demonstrate that astrocytes isolated from B6.129S6-Il10tm1Flv/J homozygotes are prone to A1 phenotype and contribute to the depression-like behavior and memory deficits. Inhibiting A1 astrocyte activation may be an attractive therapeutic strategy in some neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-Yang Zhang
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Youdi He
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Huang
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Chang-Ming Zhao
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Agroforestry Engineering and Planning, Tongren University, Tongren, 554300, Guizhou, China
| | - Si-Wei Li
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Changyong Wang
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yan-Nv Qu
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China. .,Department of Geriatrics, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiao-Xia Jiang
- Department of Neural Engineering and Biological Interdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China. .,Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Brain development and degeneration are highly complex processes that are regulated by a large number of molecules and signaling pathways the identities of which are being unraveled. Accumulating evidence points to histone deacetylases and epigenetic mechanisms as being important regulators of these processes. In this review, we describe that histone deacetylase-3 (HDAC3) is a particularly crucial regulator of both neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. In addition, HDAC3 regulates memory formation, synaptic plasticity, and the cognitive impairment associated with normal aging. Understanding how HDAC3 functions contributes to the normal development and functioning of the brain while also promoting neurodegeneration could lead to the development of therapeutic approaches for neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Maleki F, Sadigh ZA, Sadeghi F, Muhammadnejad A, Farahmand M, Parvin M, Shirkoohi R. Human cytomegalovirus infection in Iranian glioma patients correlates with aging and tumor aggressiveness. J Med Virol 2020; 92:1266-1276. [PMID: 31944314 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), as a ubiquitous and opportunistic virus, is a matter for consideration in broad-spectrum diseases, specifically in immunocompromised individuals. In recent decades, many studies that have evaluated the role of HCMV in inflammation and malignancies, especially in high-grade gliomas, have reported inconsistent results. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze 97 primary gliomas for human CMV UL83 gene and protein through TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The results were positive for the UL83 gene and pp65 protein in 71% and 24% of samples, respectively. The frequency of HCMV was significantly higher in glioblastomas than other glioma grades (P < .01 and P < .05 for the UL83 gene and protein, respectively). In addition, the association between the prevalence of HCMV and aging strengthened the virus reactivation hypothesis in gliomas. In conclusion, a high frequency of HCMV infection was found in gliomas that correlated with tumor aggressiveness and age. This study recommends a thorough investigation to determine HCMV infection in gliomas to improve the existing knowledge of its role in glial tumors, its prognostic value, and possible efficient antiviral target therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Maleki
- Human Viral Vaccine Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran
| | - Zohreh-Azita Sadigh
- Human Viral Vaccine Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran
| | - Farzin Sadeghi
- Department of Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ahad Muhammadnejad
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Biology Research Center, Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Farahmand
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Parvin
- Department of Pathology, Shahid Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
| | - Reza Shirkoohi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Biology Research Center, Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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