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Oga K, Fuchikami M, Kobayashi H, Miyagi T, Fujita S, Fujita S, Okada S, Morinobu S. Involvement of dysregulated hippocampal histone H3K9 methylation at the promoter of the BDNF gene in impaired memory extinction. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06640-7. [PMID: 38940908 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06640-7] [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: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Since the precise mechanisms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain unknown, effective treatment interventions have not yet been established. Impaired extinction of fear memory (EFM) is one of the core symptoms of PTSD and is associated with stress-induced epigenetic change in gene expression. OBJECTIVES In this study, we examined whether the involvement of histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) in EFM is mediated through brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus, and whether BIX01294, a selective G9a and GLP histone methyltransferase inhibitor, could be treatment for impaired EFM in an animal model of PTSD. METHODS The single prolonged stress (SPS) paradigm was used to model PTSD. We measured BDNF mRNA levels by RT-PCR, and H3K9me2 levels in the BDNF gene promoters by chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR. After undergoing contextual fear conditioning and hippocampal injection of BIX01294, male rats were subjected to extinction training and extinction testing and their freezing times and BDNF mRNA levels were measured. RESULTS Compared to sham rats, SPS rats showed decreased BDNF mRNA levels 2 h after extinction training, no significant changes in levels of global H3K9me2 prior to extinction training, and increased levels of H3K9me2 in BDNF gene promoter IV, but not in BDNF gene promoter I. Administration of BIX01294 ameliorated the decrease in BDNF mRNA levels 2 h after extinction training and subsequently alleviated impaired EFM in extinction tests in SPS rats. CONCLUSION We conclude that reduced hippocampal levels of BDNF mRNA due to increase in H3K9me2 levels may play a role in PTSD-associated EFM impairment, and BIX01294 could be a PTSD treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Oga
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Manabu Fuchikami
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Hironori Kobayashi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiro Miyagi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Sho Fujita
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fujita
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Satoshi Okada
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Division of Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-Ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shigeru Morinobu
- Department of Psychology, School of Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Hiroshima International University, Kure, Japan
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2
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Coda DM, Gräff J. From cellular to fear memory: An epigenetic toolbox to remember. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 84:102829. [PMID: 38128422 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102829] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Throughout development, the neuronal epigenome is highly sensitive to external stimuli, yet capable of safeguarding cellular memory for a lifetime. In the adult brain, memories of fearful experiences are rapidly instantiated, yet can last for decades, but the mechanisms underlying such longevity remain unknown. Here, we showcase how fear memory formation and storage - traditionally thought to exclusively affect synapse-based events - elicit profound and enduring changes to the chromatin, proposing epigenetic regulation as a plausible molecular template for mnemonic processes. By comparing these to mechanisms occurring in development and differentiation, we notice that an epigenetic machinery similar to that preserving cellular memories might be employed by brain cells so as to form, store, and retrieve behavioral memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Martino Coda
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Johannes Gräff
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Etami Y, Lildharrie C, Manza P, Wang GJ, Volkow ND. Neuroimaging in Adolescents: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Risk for Substance Use Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2113. [PMID: 38136935 PMCID: PMC10743116 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122113] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trauma in childhood and adolescence has long-term negative consequences in brain development and behavior and increases the risk for psychiatric disorders. Among them, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during adolescence illustrates the connection between trauma and substance misuse, as adolescents may utilize substances to cope with PTSD. Drug misuse may in turn lead to neuroadaptations in learning processes that facilitate the consolidation of traumatic memories that perpetuate PTSD. This reflects, apart from common genetic and epigenetic modifications, overlapping neurocircuitry engagement triggered by stress and drug misuse that includes structural and functional changes in limbic brain regions and the salience, default-mode, and frontoparietal networks. Effective strategies to prevent PTSD are needed to limit the negative consequences associated with the later development of a substance use disorder (SUD). In this review, we will examine the link between PTSD and SUDs, along with the resulting effects on memory, focusing on the connection between the development of an SUD in individuals who struggled with PTSD in adolescence. Neuroimaging has emerged as a powerful tool to provide insight into the brain mechanisms underlying the connection of PTSD in adolescence and the development of SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gene-Jack Wang
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Y.E.); (C.L.); (P.M.); (N.D.V.)
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4
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Pierce ZP, Black JM. Stress and Susceptibility: A Systematic Review of Prenatal Epigenetic Risks for Developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2023; 24:2648-2660. [PMID: 35714974 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221109792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to systematically assess the current literature about prenatal epigenetic markers that lead to post-traumatic stress disorder susceptibility across the lifespan. Studies included in this review met several research criteria: Studies included (1) participants with a PTSD diagnosis according to the DSM-5, (2) prenatal epigenetic marker data that could be analyzed, and (3) explicit references to postnatal PTSD susceptibility. Our study sample fit within a timeframe of 2002 (the earliest recorded studies of prenatal susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder in the databases used) and February 2021 when the literature search for this review was terminated. Studies for this review were collated from PubMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Boston College School of Social Work Library databases. A systematic search was conducted in these databases using basic keyword terms, such as "PSTD resilience" and "PTSD vulnerability," and then adding clarifying terms to refine specific searches, such as "epigenetics," "genetics," "epigenetic markers," "haplotypes," and "mRNA methylation." Based on these criteria and research methods, 33 studies remained for inclusion in the review sample. This review suggests that BDNF Val66-Met, a polymorphism of FKBP5, and an altered messenger ribonucleic acid methylation marker in NR3C1 present most often in cases of PTSD. These epigenetic markers might be implicated in central neurological processes related to post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary P Pierce
- School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
- The Cell to Society Laboratory, School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Jessica M Black
- School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
- The Cell to Society Laboratory, School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
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5
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Liu MN, Tian XY, Fang T, Wu N, Li H, Li J. Insights into the Involvement and Therapeutic Target Potential of the Dopamine System in the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3708-3723. [PMID: 36933147 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03312-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric disease closely related to life-threatening events and psychological stress. Re-experiencing, hyperarousal, avoidance, and numbness are the hallmark symptoms of PTSD, but their underlying neurological processes have not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, the identification and development of drugs for PTSD that targets brain neuronal activities have stalled. Considering that the persistent fear memory induced by traumatic stimulation causes high alertness, high arousal, and cognitive impairment of PTSD symptoms. While the midbrain dopamine system can affect physiological processes such as aversive fear memory learning, consolidation, persistence, and extinction, by altering the functions of the dopaminergic neurons, our viewpoint is that the dopamine system plays a considerable role in the PTSD occurrence and acts as a potential therapeutic target of the disorder. This paper reviews recent findings on the structural and functional connections between ventral tegmental area neurons and the core synaptic circuits involved in PTSD, gene polymorphisms related to the dopamine system that confer susceptibility to clinical PTSD. Moreover, the progress of research on medications that target the dopamine system as PTSD therapies is also discussed. Our goal is to offer some hints for early detection and assist in identifying novel, efficient approaches for treating PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Nan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.,Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ting Fang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Hong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
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6
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Ferrara NC, Kwapis JL, Trask S. Memory retrieval, reconsolidation, and extinction: Exploring the boundary conditions of post-conditioning cue exposure. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1146665. [PMID: 36937567 PMCID: PMC10017482 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1146665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Following fear conditioning, behavior can be reduced by giving many CS-alone presentations in a process known as extinction or by presenting a few CS-alone presentations and interfering with subsequent memory reconsolidation. While the two share procedural similarities, both the behavioral outcomes and the neurobiological underpinnings are distinct. Here we review the neural and behavioral mechanisms that produce these separate behavioral reductions, as well as some factors that determine whether or not a retrieval-dependent reconsolidation process or an extinction process will be in effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C. Ferrara
- Discipline of Physiology and Biophysics, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Janine L. Kwapis
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Sydney Trask
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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7
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Farrell K, McFadden T, Jarome TJ. Neuronal and astrocytic protein degradation are critical for fear memory formation. Learn Mem 2023; 30:70-73. [PMID: 36921984 PMCID: PMC10027238 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053716.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Strong evidence has implicated proteasome-mediated protein degradation in the memory consolidation process. However, due to the use of pharmacological approaches, the cell type specificity of this remains unknown. Here, we used neuron-specific and novel astrocyte-specific CRISPR-dCas9-KRAB-MECP2 plasmids to inhibit protein degradation in a cell type-specific manner in the amygdala of male rats. We found that while inhibition of neuronal, but not astrocytic, protein degradation impaired performance during the training session, both resulted in impaired contextual fear memory retention. Together, these data provide the first evidence of a cell type-specific role for protein degradation in the memory consolidation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Farrell
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Taylor McFadden
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Timothy J Jarome
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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8
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Raza Z, Hussain SF, Foster VS, Wall J, Coffey PJ, Martin JF, Gomes RSM. Exposure to war and conflict: The individual and inherited epigenetic effects on health, with a focus on post-traumatic stress disorder. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 3:1066158. [PMID: 38455905 PMCID: PMC10910933 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2023.1066158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
War and conflict are global phenomena, identified as stress-inducing triggers for epigenetic modifications. In this state-of-the-science narrative review based on systematic principles, we summarise existing data to explore the outcomes of these exposures especially in veterans and show that they may result in an increased likelihood of developing gastrointestinal, auditory, metabolic and circadian issues, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also note that, despite a potential "healthy soldier effect", both veterans and civilians with PTSD exhibit the altered DNA methylation status in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulatory genes such as NR3C1. Genes associated with sleep (PAX8; LHX1) are seen to be differentially methylated in veterans. A limited number of studies also revealed hereditary effects of war exposure across groups: decreased cortisol levels and a heightened (sex-linked) mortality risk in offspring. Future large-scale studies further identifying the heritable risks of war, as well as any potential differences between military and civilian populations, would be valuable to inform future healthcare directives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zara Raza
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Syeda F Hussain
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria S Foster
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- St George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Wall
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Haxby Group Hull, General Practice Surgery, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Coffey
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John F Martin
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renata S M Gomes
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research, Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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9
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Cao-Lei L, Saumier D, Fortin J, Brunet A. A narrative review of the epigenetics of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:857087. [PMID: 36419982 PMCID: PMC9676221 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.857087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic research in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essential, given that environmental stressors and fear play such a crucial role in its development. As such, it may provide a framework for understanding individual differences in the prevalence of the disorder and in treatment response. This paper reviews the epigenetic markers associated with PTSD and its treatment, including candidate genes and epigenome-wide studies. Because the etiopathogenesis of PTSD rests heavily on learning and memory, we also draw upon animal neuroepigenetic research on the acquisition, update and erasure of fear memory, focusing on the mechanisms associated with memory reconsolidation. Reconsolidation blockade (or impairment) treatment in PTSD has been studied in clinical trials and, from a neurological perspective, may hold promise for identifying epigenetic markers of successful therapy. We conclude this paper by discussing several key considerations and challenges in epigenetic research on PTSD in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cao-Lei
- Research Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CIUSSS-ODIM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Saumier
- Research Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CIUSSS-ODIM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Justine Fortin
- Research Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CIUSSS-ODIM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alain Brunet
- Research Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CIUSSS-ODIM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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10
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Hyperacusis: Loudness Intolerance, Fear, Annoyance and Pain. Hear Res 2022; 426:108648. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2022.108648] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Farrell K, Auerbach A, Musaus M, Jarome TJ. The epigenetic role of proteasome subunit RPT6 during memory formation in female rats. Learn Mem 2022; 29:256-264. [PMID: 36206393 PMCID: PMC9488026 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053498.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Reports of sex differences in the neurobiology of memory formation are becoming more prevalent. Despite this, much remains unknown about the role of sex in this process. We previously reported the first evidence of a novel epigenetic role for proteasome subunit RPT6 during memory formation in the hippocampus of male rodents whereby it associated with monoubiquitinated histone H2B (H2Bubi). Here, we used molecular, biochemical, and behavioral approaches to investigate whether RPT6 has a similar epigenetic role during memory formation in female rats. Following contextual fear conditioning, we found that RPT6 levels and DNA binding at regions coding for c-fos, the previously identified target of RPT6 in males, were unchanged in the hippocampus of females and that loss of RPT6 did not alter learning-induced increases in c-fos However, RPT6 was in complex with H2Bubi in the female hippocampus and this association increased with fear conditioning, suggesting that it could still retain an epigenetic function. Consistent with this, hippocampal siRNA-mediated knockdown of the RPT6-coding gene, Psmc5, impaired memory in females. These results suggest that while RPT6 does associate with epigenetic H2Bubi during memory formation in both males and females, it has sex-specific gene targets during the memory consolidation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Farrell
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Aubrey Auerbach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Madeline Musaus
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Timothy J Jarome
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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12
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Alexander DC, Corman T, Mendoza M, Glass A, Belity T, Wu R, Campbell RR, Han J, Keiser AA, Winkler J, Wood MA, Kim T, Garcia BA, Cohen H, Mews P, Egervari G, Berger SL. Targeting acetyl-CoA metabolism attenuates the formation of fear memories through reduced activity-dependent histone acetylation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2114758119. [PMID: 35921439 PMCID: PMC9371679 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114758119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation is a key component in the consolidation of long-term fear memories. Histone acetylation is fueled by acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), and recently, nuclear-localized metabolic enzymes that produce this metabolite have emerged as direct and local regulators of chromatin. In particular, acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) mediates histone acetylation in the mouse hippocampus. However, whether ACSS2 regulates long-term fear memory remains to be determined. Here, we show that Acss2 knockout is well tolerated in mice, yet the Acss2-null mouse exhibits reduced acquisition of long-term fear memory. Loss of Acss2 leads to reductions in both histone acetylation and expression of critical learning and memory-related genes in the dorsal hippocampus, specifically following fear conditioning. Furthermore, systemic administration of blood-brain barrier-permeable Acss2 inhibitors during the consolidation window reduces fear-memory formation in mice and rats and reduces anxiety in a predator-scent stress paradigm. Our findings suggest that nuclear acetyl-CoA metabolism via ACSS2 plays a critical, previously unappreciated, role in the formation of fear memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desi C. Alexander
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- bDepartment of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Tanya Corman
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Mariel Mendoza
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- cDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Andrew Glass
- dDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Tal Belity
- eDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Ranran Wu
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- cDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Rianne R. Campbell
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Joseph Han
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Ashley A. Keiser
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Jeffrey Winkler
- dDepartment of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Marcelo A. Wood
- fDepartment of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | | | - Benjamin A. Garcia
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- cDepartment of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Hagit Cohen
- eDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
- hBeer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Philipp Mews
- iFishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- 2To whom correspondence may be addressed. , , or
| | - Gabor Egervari
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- jDepartment of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- 2To whom correspondence may be addressed. , , or
| | - Shelley L. Berger
- aEpigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- bDepartment of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- jDepartment of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- kDepartment of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- 2To whom correspondence may be addressed. , , or
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Shang A, Bieszczad KM. Epigenetic mechanisms regulate cue memory underlying discriminative behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104811. [PMID: 35961385 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104811] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The burgeoning field of neuroepigenetics has introduced chromatin modification as an important interface between experience and brain function. For example, epigenetic mechanisms like histone acetylation and DNA methylation operate throughout a lifetime to powerfully regulate gene expression in the brain that is required for experiences to be transformed into long-term memories. This review highlights emerging evidence from sensory models of memory that converge on the premise that epigenetic regulation of activity-dependent transcription in the sensory brain facilitates highly precise memory recall. Chromatin modifications may be key for neurophysiological responses to transient sensory cue features experienced in the "here and now" to be recapitulated over the long term. We conclude that the function of epigenetic control of sensory system neuroplasticity is to regulate the amount and type of sensory information retained in long-term memories by regulating neural representations of behaviorally relevant cues that guide behavior. This is of broad importance in the neuroscience field because there are few circumstances in which behavioral acts are devoid of an initiating sensory experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Shang
- Dept. of Psychology - Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Kasia M Bieszczad
- Dept. of Psychology - Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers University - New Brunswick, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science (RuCCS), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08854, USA.
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14
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Chang Y, Zhang J, Zhang J, Zhu W, Zheng Q, Qian Z, Wei C, Liu Y, Liu Z, Ren W, Han J. N6-methyladenosine RNA modification of glutamatergic neurons is associated with contextual fear discrimination. Physiol Behav 2022; 248:113741. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212280. [PMID: 34830163 PMCID: PMC8618067 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, which include DNA methylation, a variety of post-translational modifications of histone proteins (acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, serotonylation, dopaminylation), chromatin remodeling enzymes, and long non-coding RNAs, are robust regulators of activity-dependent changes in gene transcription. In the brain, many of these epigenetic modifications have been widely implicated in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms has been reported in the aged brain and is associated with or contributes to memory decline across the lifespan. Furthermore, alterations in the epigenome have been reported in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we review the diverse types of epigenetic modifications and their role in activity- and learning-dependent synaptic plasticity. We then discuss how these mechanisms become dysregulated across the lifespan and contribute to memory loss with age and in Alzheimer’s disease. Collectively, the evidence reviewed here strongly supports a role for diverse epigenetic mechanisms in memory formation, aging, and neurodegeneration in the brain.
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16
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Aykac A, Kalkan R. Epigenetic Approach to PTSD: In the Aspects of Rat Models. Glob Med Genet 2021; 9:7-13. [PMID: 35169777 PMCID: PMC8837403 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder and develops after exposure to life-threatening traumatic experiences. The risk factors of PTSD included genetic factors; alterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis; neurotrophic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and catecholaminergic systems; and a variety of environmental factors, such as war, accident, natural disaster, pandemic, physical, or sexual abuse, that cause stress or trauma in individuals. To be able to understand the molecular background of PTSD, rodent animal models are widely used by researchers. When looking for a solution for PTSD, it is important to consider preexisting genetic risk factors and physiological, molecular, and biochemical processes caused by trauma that may cause susceptibility to this disorder. In studies, it is reported that epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in the biological response affected by environmental factors, as well as the task of programming cell identity. In this article, we provided an overview of the role of epigenetic modifications in understanding the biology of PTSD. We also summarized the data from animal studies and their importance during the investigation of PTSD. This study shed light on the epigenetic background of stress and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asli Aykac
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Rasime Kalkan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
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17
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Jarome TJ, Perez GA, Webb WM, Hatch KM, Navabpour S, Musaus M, Farrell K, Hauser RM, McFadden T, Martin K, Butler AA, Wang J, Lubin FD. Ubiquitination of Histone H2B by Proteasome Subunit RPT6 Controls Histone Methylation Chromatin Dynamics During Memory Formation. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 89:1176-1187. [PMID: 33934885 PMCID: PMC8178164 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttranslational histone modifications play a critical role in the regulation of gene transcription underlying synaptic plasticity and memory formation. One such epigenetic change is histone ubiquitination, a process that is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in a manner similar to that by which proteins are normally targeted for degradation. However, histone ubiquitination mechanisms are poorly understood in the brain and in learning. In this article, we describe a new role for the ubiquitin-proteasome system in histone crosstalk, showing that learning-induced monoubiquitination of histone H2B (H2Bubi) is required for increases in the transcriptionally active H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) mark at learning-related genes in the hippocampus. METHODS Using a series of molecular, biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral experiments, we interrogated the effects of short interfering RNA-mediated knockdown and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-mediated upregulation of ubiquitin ligases, deubiquitinating enzymes and histone methyltransferases in the rat dorsal hippocampus during memory consolidation. RESULTS We show that H2Bubi recruits H3K4me3 through a process that is dependent on the 19S proteasome subunit RPT6 and that a loss of H2Bubi in the hippocampus prevents learning-induced increases in H3K4me3, gene transcription, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation. Furthermore, we show that CRISPR-dCas9-mediated increases in H2Bubi promote H3K4me3 and memory formation under weak training conditions and that promoting histone methylation does not rescue memory impairments resulting from loss of H2Bubi. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that H2B ubiquitination regulates histone crosstalk in learning by way of nonproteolytic proteasome function, demonstrating a novel mechanism by which histone modifications are coordinated in response to learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Jarome
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia; School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia; Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Gabriella A Perez
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - William M Webb
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Katrina M Hatch
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Shaghayegh Navabpour
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Madeline Musaus
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Kayla Farrell
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Rebecca M Hauser
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Taylor McFadden
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Kiley Martin
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia
| | - Anderson A Butler
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Farah D Lubin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
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18
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Tan SZK, Poon CH, Chan YS, Lim LW. Prelimbic cortical stimulation disrupts fear memory consolidation through ventral hippocampal dopamine D 2 receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:3587-3601. [PMID: 33899943 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Anxiety disorders pose one of the biggest threats to mental health worldwide, yet current therapeutics have been mostly ineffective due to issues with relapse, efficacy and toxicity of the medications. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising therapy for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders including anxiety, but very little is known about the effects of deep brain stimulation on fear memories. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In this study, we employed a standard tone-footshock fear conditioning paradigm and modified plus maze discriminative avoidance task to probe the effects of prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation on various stages of memory. KEY RESULTS We identified memory consolidation stage as a critical time point to disrupt fear memory via prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation. The observed disruption was partially modulated by the inactivation of the ventral hippocampus and the transient changes in ventral hippocampus dopamine (D2 ) receptors expression upon prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation. We also observed wide-scale changes of various neurotransmitters and their metabolites in ventral hippocampus, confirming its important role in response to prelimbic cortex deep brain stimulation. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These findings highlight the molecular mechanism in the ventral hippocampus in response to prelimbic cortex stimulation and may have translational value, indicating that targeting the prelimbic cortex in the memory consolidation stage via non-invasive neuromodulation techniques may be a feasible therapeutic strategy against anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Zheng Kai Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Him Poon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ying-Shing Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Cassel JC, Ferraris M, Quilichini P, Cholvin T, Boch L, Stephan A, Pereira de Vasconcelos A. The reuniens and rhomboid nuclei of the thalamus: A crossroads for cognition-relevant information processing? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:338-360. [PMID: 33766671 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Over the past twenty years, the reuniens and rhomboid (ReRh) nuclei, which constitute the ventral midline thalamus, have received constantly growing attention. Since our first review article about the functional contributions of ReRh nuclei (Cassel et al., 2013), numerous (>80) important papers have extended anatomical knowledge, including at a developmental level, introduced new and very original electrophysiological insights on ReRh functions, and brought novel results on cognitive and non-cognitive implications of the ReRh. The current review will cover these recent articles, more on Re than on Rh, and their contribution will be approached according to their affiliation with work before 2013. These neuroanatomical, electrophysiological or behavioral findings appear coherent and point to the ReRh nuclei as two major components of a multistructural system supporting numerous cognitive (and non-cognitive) functions. They gate the flow of information, perhaps especially from the medial prefrontal cortex to the hippocampus and back, and coordinate activity and processing across these two (and possibly other) brain regions of major cognitive relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Cassel
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Maëva Ferraris
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale Quilichini
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Thibault Cholvin
- Institute for Physiology I, University Clinics Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laurine Boch
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Aline Stephan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Pereira de Vasconcelos
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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20
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The "missing heritability"-Problem in psychiatry: Is the interaction of genetics, epigenetics and transposable elements a potential solution? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:23-42. [PMID: 33757815 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders exhibit an enormous burden on the health care systems worldwide accounting for around one-third of years lost due to disability among adults. Their etiology is largely unknown and diagnostic classification is based on symptomatology and course of illness and not on objective biomarkers. Most psychiatric disorders are moderately to highly heritable. However, it is still unknown what mechanisms may explain the discrepancy between heritability estimates and the present data from genetic analysis. In addition to genetic differences also epigenetic modifications are considered as potentially relevant in the transfer of susceptibility to psychiatric diseases. Though, whether or not epigenetic alterations can be inherited for many generations is highly controversial. In the present article, we will critically summarize both the genetic findings and the results from epigenetic analyses, including also those of noncoding RNAs. We will argue that one possible solution to the "missing heritability" problem in psychiatry is a potential role of retrotransposons, the exploration of which is presently only in its beginnings.
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21
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The Emerging Role of ATP-Dependent Chromatin Remodeling in Memory and Substance Use Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186816. [PMID: 32957495 PMCID: PMC7555352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term memory formation requires coordinated regulation of gene expression and persistent changes in cell function. For decades, research has implicated histone modifications in regulating chromatin compaction necessary for experience-dependent changes to gene expression and cell function during memory formation. Recent evidence suggests that another epigenetic mechanism, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, works in concert with the histone-modifying enzymes to produce large-scale changes to chromatin structure. This review examines how histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodelers restructure chromatin to facilitate memory formation. We highlight the emerging evidence implicating ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling as an essential mechanism that mediates activity-dependent gene expression, plasticity, and cell function in developing and adult brains. Finally, we discuss how studies that target chromatin remodelers have expanded our understanding of the role that these complexes play in substance use disorders.
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22
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Molecular Mechanisms of Reconsolidation-Dependent Memory Updating. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186580. [PMID: 32916796 PMCID: PMC7555418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory is not a stable record of experience, but instead is an ongoing process that allows existing memories to be modified with new information through a reconsolidation-dependent updating process. For a previously stable memory to be updated, the memory must first become labile through a process called destabilization. Destabilization is a protein degradation-dependent process that occurs when new information is presented. Following destabilization, a memory becomes stable again through a protein synthesis-dependent process called restabilization. Much work remains to fully characterize the mechanisms that underlie both destabilization and subsequent restabilization, however. In this article, we briefly review the discovery of reconsolidation as a potential mechanism for memory updating. We then discuss the behavioral paradigms that have been used to identify the molecular mechanisms of reconsolidation-dependent memory updating. Finally, we outline what is known about the molecular mechanisms that support the memory updating process. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying reconsolidation-dependent memory updating is an important step toward leveraging this process in a therapeutic setting to modify maladaptive memories and to improve memory when it fails.
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23
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Wang Z, Jin T, Le Q, Liu C, Wang X, Wang F, Ma L. Retrieval-Driven Hippocampal NPTX2 Plasticity Facilitates the Extinction of Cocaine-Associated Context Memory. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:979-991. [PMID: 31836174 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postretrieval extinction attenuates the pathological memory associated with psychiatric states such as drug addiction in both humans and rodents. The extinction of a learned response requires gene transcription and protein synthesis after memory retrieval in a time-dependent manner, yet the precise physiological basis after retrieval to allow extinction to neutralize a learned behavior is not fully understood. METHODS In a cocaine conditioned place preference paradigm, we used a ribosomal tagging strategy to measure the translational state of hippocampal pyramidal neurons after the retrieval of cocaine-associated context memory. Using approaches of electrophysiology, neuronal tracing, and a doxycycline-dependent robust activity marking system, we investigated the cellular and molecular basis of retrieval-induced plasticity that facilitated the extinction. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis discovered the specific translational regulation of signaling pathways by retrieval and revealed Nptx2 as the hub gene. Manipulating Nptx2 in dorsal hippocampus bidirectionally regulated the extinction of cocaine-associated context memory as well as the retrieval-driven synaptic remodeling. The pentraxin (PTX) domain of NPTX2 recruited GluA1-AMPA receptors and enhanced the extinction and excitatory synaptic transmission that was prevented by overexpressing carboxyl cytoplasmic tail of GluA1. Furthermore, Nptx2 in retrieval-activated neurons was required for the extinction. CONCLUSIONS The retrieval-driven upregulation of Nptx2 contributes to the synaptic remodeling in dorsal hippocampus and facilitates the extinction of cocaine-associated context memory, indicating a potential target for the treatment of cue-induced cocaine seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Jin
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiumin Le
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lan Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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24
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Bielawski T, Misiak B, Moustafa A, Frydecka D. Epigenetic mechanisms, trauma, and psychopathology: targeting chromatin remodeling complexes. Rev Neurosci 2020; 30:595-604. [PMID: 30730846 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2018-0055] [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: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pressure affects the genotype throughout different epigenetic processes. There is currently ample evidence on the role of epigenetics in developing various mental disorders. A burden of environmental pressure, such as psychological trauma, and its influence on genotype can lead to a variety of psychopathologies. Thus, this study focuses on the epigenetic activity of the complex protein machinery operating on chromatin - the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes. Although there are several recent studies on the molecular structure, functions, and taxonomy of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, the focus of this paper is to highlight the importance of those 'protein machines' in developing psychiatric disorders. Data were obtained from human preclinical and clinical studies. The results of this review indicate an importance of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in the interaction between environmental factors, including traumatic events, and genetic vulnerability to stress. Several studies indicate that ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes play a crucial role in the development and consolidation of memory, in neurodevelopmental processes, and in etiology depressive-like behavior. Thus, the activity of those 'protein machines' emerges as a key factor in the pathophysiology of various psychiatric diseases. It can also be concluded that the limitations of clinical studies may be explained by inappropriate laboratory methods and research paradigms due to the delayed timeframe of biochemical responses to environmental stimuli. Future research in this field may enable a better understanding of the pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases and contribute to the development of novel molecular treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Bielawski
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 10 Pasteur Street, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Blazej Misiak
- Department of Genetics, Wroclaw Medical University, 1 Marcinkowski Street, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ahmed Moustafa
- School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia.,Department of Social Sciences, Qatar University Ringgold Standard Institution, Ad Dawhah, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dorota Frydecka
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 10 Pasteur Street, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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25
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Schiele MA, Gottschalk MG, Domschke K. The applied implications of epigenetics in anxiety, affective and stress-related disorders - A review and synthesis on psychosocial stress, psychotherapy and prevention. Clin Psychol Rev 2020; 77:101830. [PMID: 32163803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mental disorders are highly complex and multifactorial in origin, comprising an elaborate interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA modifications (e.g. CpG methylation), histone modifications (e.g. acetylation) and microRNAs function as a translator between genes and the environment. Indeed, environmental influences such as exposure to stress shape epigenetic patterns, and lifetime experiences continue to alter the function of the genome throughout the lifespan. Here, we summarize the recently burgeoning body of research regarding the involvement of aberrant epigenetic signatures in mediating an increased vulnerability to a wide range of mental disorders. We review the current knowledge of epigenetic changes to constitute useful markers predicting the clinical response to psychotherapeutic interventions, and of psychotherapy to alter - and potentially reverse - epigenetic risk patterns. Given first evidence pointing to a transgenerational transmission of epigenetic information, epigenetic alterations arising from successful psychotherapy might be transferred to future generations and thus contribute to the prevention of mental disorders. Findings are integrated into a multi-level framework highlighting challenges pertaining to the mechanisms of action and clinical implications of epigenetic research. Promising future directions regarding the prediction, prevention, and personalized treatment of mental disorders in line with a 'precision medicine' approach are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael G Gottschalk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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26
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Kim GS, Smith AK, Xue F, Michopoulos V, Lori A, Armstrong DL, Aiello AE, Koenen KC, Galea S, Wildman DE, Uddin M. Methylomic profiles reveal sex-specific differences in leukocyte composition associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 81:280-291. [PMID: 31228611 PMCID: PMC6754791 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disorder precipitated by trauma exposure. However, only some persons exposed to trauma develop PTSD. There are sex differences in risk; twice as many women as men develop a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD. Methylomic profiles derived from peripheral blood are well-suited for investigating PTSD because DNA methylation (DNAm) encodes individual response to trauma and may play a key role in the immune dysregulation characteristic of PTSD pathophysiology. In the current study, we leveraged recent methodological advances to investigate sex-specific differences in DNAm-based leukocyte composition that are associated with lifetime PTSD. We estimated leukocyte composition on a combined methylation array dataset (483 participants, ∼450 k CpG sites) consisting of two civilian cohorts, the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study and Grady Trauma Project. Sex-stratified Mann-Whitney U test and two-way ANCOVA revealed that lifetime PTSD was associated with significantly higher monocyte proportions in males, but not in females (Holm-adjusted p-val < 0.05). No difference in monocyte proportions was observed between current and remitted PTSD cases in males, suggesting that this sex-specific difference may reflect a long-standing trait of lifetime history of PTSD, rather than current state of PTSD. Associations with lifetime PTSD or PTSD status were not observed in any other leukocyte subtype and our finding in monocytes was confirmed using cell estimates based on a different deconvolution algorithm, suggesting that our sex-specific findings are robust across cell estimation approaches. Overall, our main finding of elevated monocyte proportions in males, but not in females with lifetime history of PTSD provides evidence for a sex-specific difference in peripheral blood leukocyte composition that is detectable in methylomic profiles and that may reflect long-standing changes associated with PTSD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace S Kim
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Medical Scholars Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Fei Xue
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Don L Armstrong
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Allison E Aiello
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sandro Galea
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derek E Wildman
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
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27
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Rakesh G, Morey RA, Zannas AS, Malik Z, Clausen A, Marx CE, Kritzer MD, Szabo ST. Resilience as a translational endpoint in the treatment of PTSD. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1268-1283. [PMID: 30867558 PMCID: PMC6713904 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0383-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Resilience is a neurobiological entity that shapes an individual's response to trauma. Resilience has been implicated as the principal mediator in the development of mental illness following exposure to trauma. Although animal models have traditionally defined resilience as molecular and behavioral changes in stress responsive circuits following trauma, this concept needs to be further clarified for both research and clinical use. Here, we analyze the construct of resilience from a translational perspective and review optimal measurement methods and models. We also seek to distinguish between resilience, stress vulnerability, and posttraumatic growth. We propose that resilience can be quantified as a multifactorial determinant of physiological parameters, epigenetic modulators, and neurobiological candidate markers. This multifactorial definition can determine PTSD risk before and after trauma exposure. From this perspective, we propose the use of an 'R Factor' analogous to Spearman's g factor for intelligence to denote these multifactorial determinants. In addition, we also propose a novel concept called 'resilience reserve', analogous to Stern's cognitive reserve, to summarize the sum total of physiological processes that protect and compensate for the effect of trauma. We propose the development and application of challenge tasks to measure 'resilience reserve' and guide the assessment and monitoring of 'R Factor' as a biomarker for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopalkumar Rakesh
- Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center (BIAC), Durham, NC, 27710, USA. .,Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. .,VISN 6 VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 3022 Croasdaile Drive, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.
| | - Rajendra A Morey
- Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham NC, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710,VISN 6 VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 3022 Croasdaile Drive, Durham, NC 27705
| | | | - Zainab Malik
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Ashley Clausen
- Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center (BIAC), Durham VA Health Care System, VISN 6 VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, 3022 Croasdaile Drive, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Christine E Marx
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA,Division of Translational Neurosciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Michael D Kritzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Steven T Szabo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service Line, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
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28
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Keiser AA, Wood MA. Examining the contribution of histone modification to sex differences in learning and memory. Learn Mem 2019; 26:318-331. [PMID: 31416905 PMCID: PMC6699407 DOI: 10.1101/lm.048850.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The epigenome serves as a signal integration platform that encodes information from experience and environment that adds tremendous complexity to the regulation of transcription required for memory, beyond the directions encoded in the genome. To date, our understanding of how epigenetic mechanisms integrate information to regulate gene expression required for memory is primarily obtained from male derived data despite sex-specific life experiences and sex differences in consolidation and retrieval of memory, and in the molecular mechanisms that mediate these processes. In this review, we examine the contribution of chromatin modification to learning and memory in both sexes. We provide examples of how exposure to a number of internal and external factors influence the epigenome in sex-similar and sex-specific ways that may ultimately impact transcription required for memory processes. We also pose a number of key open questions and identify areas requiring further investigation as we seek to understand how histone modifying mechanisms shape memory in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Keiser
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
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29
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Schmidt U, Vermetten E. Integrating NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) into PTSD Research. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 38:69-91. [PMID: 28341942 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Three and a half decades of research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has produced substantial knowledge on the pathobiology of this frequent and debilitating disease. However, despite all research efforts, so far no drug that has specifically targeted PTSD core symptoms progressed to clinical use. Instead, although not overly efficient, serotonin re-uptake inhibitors continue to be considered the gold standard of PTSD pharmacotherapy. The psychotherapeutic treatment and symptom-oriented drug therapy options available for PTSD treatment today show some efficacy, although not in all PTSD patients, in particular not in a substantial percent of those suffering from the detrimental sequelae of repeated childhood trauma or in veterans with combat related PTSD. PTSD has this in common with other psychiatric disorders - in particular effective treatment for incapacitating conditions such as resistant major depression, chronic schizophrenia, and frequently relapsing obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as dementia has not yet been developed through modern neuropsychiatric research.In response to this conundrum, the National Institute of Mental Health launched the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework which aims to leave diagnosis-oriented psychiatric research behind and to move on to the use of research domains overarching the traditional diagnosis systems. To the best of our knowledge, the paper at hand is the first that has systematically assessed the utility of the RDoC system for PTSD research. Here, we review core findings in neurobiological PTSD research and match them to the RDoC research domains and units of analysis. Our synthesis reveals that several core findings in PTSD such as amygdala overactivity have been linked to all RDoC domains without further specification of their distinct role in the pathophysiological pathways associated with these domains. This circumstance indicates that the elucidation of the cellular and molecular processes ultimately decisive for regulation of psychic processes and for the expression of psychopathological symptoms is still grossly incomplete. All in all, we find the RDoC research domains to be useful but not sufficient for PTSD research. Hence, we suggest adding two novel domains, namely stress and emotional regulation and maintenance of consciousness. As both of these domains play a role in various if not in all psychiatric diseases, we judge them to be useful not only for PTSD research but also for psychiatric research in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Schmidt
- Trauma Outpatient Unit and RG Molecular Psychotraumatology, Clinical Department, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Department Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center Utrecht, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
- Arq Psychotruama Research Group, Diemen, The Netherlands.
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HDAC3-Mediated Repression of the Nr4a Family Contributes to Age-Related Impairments in Long-Term Memory. J Neurosci 2019; 39:4999-5009. [PMID: 31000586 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2799-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is accompanied by cognitive deficits, including impairments in long-term memory formation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that support preserved cognitive function in aged animals is a critical step toward identifying novel therapeutic targets that could improve memory in aging individuals. One potential mechanism is the Nr4a family of genes, a group of CREB-dependent nuclear orphan receptors that have previously been shown to be important for hippocampal memory formation. Here, using a cross-species approach, we tested the role of Nr4a1 and Nr4a2 in age-related memory impairments. Using a rat model designed to identify individual differences in age-related memory impairments, we first identified Nr4a2 as a key gene that fails to be induced by learning in cognitively impaired male aged rats. Next, using a mouse model that allows for genetic manipulations, we determined that histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) negatively regulates Nr4a2 in the aged male and female hippocampus. Finally, we show that overexpression of Nr4a1, Nr4a2, or both transcripts in the male mouse dorsal hippocampus can ameliorate age-related impairments in object location memory. Together, our results suggest that Nr4a2 may be a key mechanism that promotes preserved cognitive function in old age, with HDAC3-mediated repression of Nr4a2 contributing to age-related cognitive decline. More broadly, these results indicate that therapeutic strategies to promote Nr4a gene expression or function may be an effective strategy to improve cognitive function in old age.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Aging is accompanied by memory impairments, although there is a great deal of variability in the severity of these impairments. Identifying molecular mechanisms that promote preserved memory or participate in cognitive reserve in old age is important to develop strategies that promote healthy cognitive aging. Here, we show that learning-induced expression of the CREB-regulated nuclear receptor gene Nr4a2 is selectively impaired in aged rats with memory impairments. Further, we show that Nr4a2 is regulated by histone deacetylase HDAC3 in the aged mouse hippocampus. Finally, we demonstrate that hippocampal overexpression of either Nr4a2 or its family member, Nr4a1, can ameliorate age-related memory impairments. This suggests that promoting Nr4a expression may be a novel strategy to improve memory in aging individuals.
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31
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Raber J, Arzy S, Bertolus JB, Depue B, Haas HE, Hofmann SG, Kangas M, Kensinger E, Lowry CA, Marusak HA, Minnier J, Mouly AM, Mühlberger A, Norrholm SD, Peltonen K, Pinna G, Rabinak C, Shiban Y, Soreq H, van der Kooij MA, Lowe L, Weingast LT, Yamashita P, Boutros SW. Current understanding of fear learning and memory in humans and animal models and the value of a linguistic approach for analyzing fear learning and memory in humans. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 105:136-177. [PMID: 30970272 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Fear is an emotion that serves as a driving factor in how organisms move through the world. In this review, we discuss the current understandings of the subjective experience of fear and the related biological processes involved in fear learning and memory. We first provide an overview of fear learning and memory in humans and animal models, encompassing the neurocircuitry and molecular mechanisms, the influence of genetic and environmental factors, and how fear learning paradigms have contributed to treatments for fear-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Current treatments as well as novel strategies, such as targeting the perisynaptic environment and use of virtual reality, are addressed. We review research on the subjective experience of fear and the role of autobiographical memory in fear-related disorders. We also discuss the gaps in our understanding of fear learning and memory, and the degree of consensus in the field. Lastly, the development of linguistic tools for assessments and treatment of fear learning and memory disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Raber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Departments of Neurology and Radiation Medicine, and Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Shahar Arzy
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | | | - Brendan Depue
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Haley E Haas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Kangas
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Hilary A Marusak
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jessica Minnier
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Mouly
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS-UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Andreas Mühlberger
- Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; PFH - Private University of Applied Sciences, Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Research), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Seth Davin Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kirsi Peltonen
- Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christine Rabinak
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Youssef Shiban
- Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; PFH - Private University of Applied Sciences, Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Research), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hermona Soreq
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science and The Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Michael A van der Kooij
- Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitatsmedizin der Johannes Guttenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Leah T Weingast
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paula Yamashita
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sydney Weber Boutros
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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32
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Abstract
In the past few decades, the field of neuroepigenetics has investigated how the brain encodes information to form long-lasting memories that lead to stable changes in behaviour. Activity-dependent molecular mechanisms, including, but not limited to, histone modification, DNA methylation and nucleosome remodelling, dynamically regulate the gene expression required for memory formation. Recently, the field has begun to examine how a learning experience is integrated at the level of both chromatin structure and synaptic physiology. Here, we provide an overview of key established epigenetic mechanisms that are important for memory formation. We explore how epigenetic mechanisms give rise to stable alterations in neuronal function by modifying synaptic structure and function, and highlight studies that demonstrate how manipulating epigenetic mechanisms may push the boundaries of memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne R Campbell
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Center for Addiction Neuroscience, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Center for Addiction Neuroscience, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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33
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Liester MB, Sullivan EE. A review of epigenetics in human consciousness. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2019.1668222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell B. Liester
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, P.O. Box 302 153 N. Washington Street, Suite 103, Monument, CO 80132, USA
| | - Erin E. Sullivan
- Computer Science, University of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 302, Monument, CO 80132, USA
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34
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Richter-Levin G, Stork O, Schmidt MV. Animal models of PTSD: a challenge to be met. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1135-1156. [PMID: 30816289 PMCID: PMC6756084 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen increased interest in psychopathologies related to trauma exposure. Specifically, there has been a growing awareness to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in part due to terrorism, climate change-associated natural disasters, the global refugee crisis, and increased violence in overpopulated urban areas. However, notwithstanding the increased awareness to the disorder, the increasing number of patients, and the devastating impact on the lives of patients and their families, the efficacy of available treatments remains limited and highly unsatisfactory. A major scientific effort is therefore devoted to unravel the neural mechanisms underlying PTSD with the aim of paving the way to developing novel or improved treatment approaches and drugs to treat PTSD. One of the major scientific tools used to gain insight into understanding physiological and neuronal mechanisms underlying diseases and for treatment development is the use of animal models of human diseases. While much progress has been made using these models in understanding mechanisms of conditioned fear and fear memory, the gained knowledge has not yet led to better treatment options for PTSD patients. This poor translational outcome has already led some scientists and pharmaceutical companies, who do not in general hold opinions against animal models, to propose that those models should be abandoned. Here, we critically examine aspects of animal models of PTSD that may have contributed to the relative lack of translatability, including the focus on the exposure to trauma, overlooking individual and sex differences, and the contribution of risk factors. Based on findings from recent years, we propose research-based modifications that we believe are required in order to overcome some of the shortcomings of previous practice. These modifications include the usage of animal models of PTSD which incorporate risk factors and of the behavioral profiling analysis of individuals in a sample. These modifications are aimed to address factors such as individual predisposition and resilience, thus taking into consideration the fact that only a fraction of individuals exposed to trauma develop PTSD. We suggest that with an appropriate shift of practice, animal models are not only a valuable tool to enhance our understanding of fear and memory processes, but could serve as effective platforms for understanding PTSD, for PTSD drug development and drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. .,The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. .,Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Oliver Stork
- 0000 0001 1018 4307grid.5807.aDepartment of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany ,grid.452320.2Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Mathias V. Schmidt
- 0000 0000 9497 5095grid.419548.5Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two complex and debilitating psychiatric disorders that result in poor life and destructive behaviors against self and others. Currently, diagnosis is based on subjective rather than objective determinations leading to misdiagnose and ineffective treatments. Advances in novel neurobiological methods have allowed assessment of promising biomarkers to diagnose depression and PTSD, which offers a new means of appropriately treating patients. Areas covered: Biomarkers discovery in blood represents a fundamental tool to predict, diagnose, and monitor treatment efficacy in depression and PTSD. The potential role of altered HPA axis, epigenetics, NPY, BDNF, neurosteroid biosynthesis, the endocannabinoid system, and their function as biomarkers for mood disorders is discussed. Insofar, we propose the identification of a biomarker axis to univocally identify and discriminate disorders with large comorbidity and symptoms overlap, so as to provide a base of support for development of targeted treatments. We also weigh in on the feasibility of a future blood test for early diagnosis. Expert commentary: Potential biomarkers have already been assessed in patients' blood and need to be further validated through multisite large clinical trial stratification. Another challenge is to assess the relation among several interdependent biomarkers to form an axis that identifies a specific disorder and secures the best-individualized treatment. The future of blood-based tests for PTSD and depression is not only on the horizon but, possibly, already around the corner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Aspesi
- a The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Graziano Pinna
- a The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
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36
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Orsi SA, Devulapalli RK, Nelsen JL, McFadden T, Surineni R, Jarome TJ. Distinct subcellular changes in proteasome activity and linkage-specific protein polyubiquitination in the amygdala during the consolidation and reconsolidation of a fear memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 157:1-11. [PMID: 30458285 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have supported a critical role for the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in the memory consolidation and reconsolidation processes. The protein targets and functional role of ubiquitin-proteasome activity can vary widely across cellular compartments, however, it is unknown how UPS activity changes within the nuclear, cytoplasmic, and synaptic regions in response to learning or memory retrieval. Additionally, while previous studies have focused on degradation-specific protein polyubiquitination, it is unknown how learning alters other polyubiquitin tags that are not targeted by the proteasome. Using cellular fractionation protocols in combination with linkage-specific polyubiquitin antibodies, we examined subcellular changes in ubiquitin-proteasome activity in the amygdala during memory consolidation and reconsolidation. Following memory acquisition, overall protein ubiquitination and proteasome activity simultaneously increased in the nucleus and decreased in the synaptic and cytoplasmic regions. The nuclear increases were associated with upregulation of degradation-specific (K48) and degradation-independent (K63, M1) polyubiquitin tags, suggesting multiple functions for ubiquitin signaling within this region. Interestingly, retrieval induced a very different pattern of ubiquitin-proteasome activity in the amygdala, consisting of increases in overall protein ubiquitination and proteasome activity and K48-, K63-, and M1-polyubiquitin tags in the synaptic, but not nuclear or cytoplasmic regions. Collectively, learning and memory retrieval dynamically and differentially alter degradation-dependent and degradation-independent ubiquitin-proteasome activity across different cellular compartments, suggesting that the UPS may serve unique functions during memory consolidation and reconsolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina A Orsi
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rishi K Devulapalli
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jacob L Nelsen
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Taylor McFadden
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rithika Surineni
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Timothy J Jarome
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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37
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Fang Q, Li Z, Huang GD, Zhang HH, Chen YY, Zhang LB, Ding ZB, Shi J, Lu L, Yang JL. Traumatic Stress Produces Distinct Activations of GABAergic and Glutamatergic Neurons in Amygdala. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:387. [PMID: 30186100 PMCID: PMC6110940 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive recollections of a severe traumatic event and hyperarousal following exposure to the event. Human and animal studies have shown that the change of amygdala activity after traumatic stress may contribute to occurrences of some symptoms or behaviors of the patients or animals with PTSD. However, it is still unknown how the neuronal activation of different sub-regions in amygdala changes during the development of PTSD. In the present study, we used single prolonged stress (SPS) procedure to obtain the animal model of PTSD, and found that 1 day after SPS, there were normal anxiety behavior and extinction of fear memory in rats which were accompanied by a reduced proportion of activated glutamatergic neurons and increased proportion of activated GABAergic neurons in basolateral amygdala (BLA). About 10 days after SPS, we observed enhanced anxiety and impaired extinction of fear memory with increased activated both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in BLA and increased activated GABAergic neurons in central amygdala (CeA). These results indicate that during early and late phase after traumatic stress, distinct patterns of activation of glutamatergic neurons and GABAergic neurons are displayed in amygdala, which may be implicated in the development of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Fang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Psychiatric Department, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Li
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, China
| | - Geng-Di Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Huan-Huan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Yun Chen
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Bo Zhang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zeng-Bo Ding
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking University Sixth Hospital/Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Li Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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38
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Abstract
Chromatin-related phenomena regulate gene expression by altering the compaction and accessibility of DNA to relevant transcription factors, thus allowing every cell in the body to attain distinct identities and to function properly within a given cellular context. These processes occur not only in the developing central nervous system, but continue throughout the lifetime of a neuron to constantly adapt to changes in the environment. Such changes can be positive or negative, thereby altering the chromatin landscape to influence cellular and synaptic plasticity within relevant neural circuits, and ultimately behavior. Given the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in guiding physiological adaptations, perturbations in these processes in brain have been linked to several neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. In this review, we cover some of the recent advances linking chromatin dynamics to complex brain disorders and discuss new methodologies that may overcome current limitations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Bastle
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Ian Maze
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029.,Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
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39
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EZH2 Methyltransferase Activity Controls Pten Expression and mTOR Signaling during Fear Memory Reconsolidation. J Neurosci 2018; 38:7635-7648. [PMID: 30030400 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0538-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory retrieval induces a transient period of increased transcriptional and translational regulation in neurons called reconsolidation, which is regulated by the protein kinase B (AKT)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. However, it is currently unknown how activation of the AKT-mTOR pathway is regulated during the reconsolidation process. Here, we found that in male rats retrieval of a contextual fear memory transiently increased Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) levels along with increased histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) levels, which correlated with decreased levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a potent inhibitor of AKT-mTOR-dependent signaling in the hippocampus. Further experiments found increased H3K27me3 levels and DNA methylation across the Pten promoter and coding regions, indicating transcriptional silencing of the Pten gene. Pten H3K27me3 levels did not change following training or after the retrieval of a remote (old) fear memory, suggesting that this mechanism of Pten repression was specific to the reconsolidation of a new memory. In vivo siRNA-mediated knockdown of Ezh2 in the hippocampus abolished retrieval-induced increases in H3K27me3 and prevented decreases in PTEN levels. Ezh2 knockdown attenuated increases in the phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR following retrieval, which could be restored by simultaneously reducing Pten, suggesting that H3K27me3 regulates AKT-mTOR phosphorylation via repression of Pten Consistent with these results, knockdown of Ezh2 in area CA1 before retrieval impaired memory on later tests. Collectively, these results suggest that EZH2-mediated H3K27me3 plays a critical role in the repression of Pten transcription necessary for AKT-mTOR activation and memory reconsolidation following retrieval.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Understanding how critical translation pathways, like mTOR-mediated protein synthesis, are regulated during the memory storage process is necessary for improving memory impairments. This study tests whether mTOR activation is coupled to epigenetic mechanisms in the hippocampus following the retrieval of a contextual fear memory. Specifically, this study evaluates the role of epigenetic modifications in the form of histone methylation in downstream mTOR translational control during learning-dependent synaptic plasticity in neurons. Considering the broad implications of transcriptional and translational mechanisms in synaptic plasticity, psychiatric, and neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, these data are of interest to the neuroscience community due to the robust and specific regulation of mTOR signaling we found to be dependent on repressive histone methylation.
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Shang A, Bylipudi S, Bieszczad KM. Inhibition of histone deacetylase 3 via RGFP966 facilitates cortical plasticity underlying unusually accurate auditory associative cue memory for excitatory and inhibitory cue-reward associations. Behav Brain Res 2018; 356:453-469. [PMID: 29860001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are key for regulating long-term memory (LTM) and are known to exert control on memory formation in multiple systems of the adult brain, including the sensory cortex. One epigenetic mechanism is chromatin modification by histone acetylation. Blocking the action of histone de-acetylases (HDACs) that normally negatively regulate LTM by repressing transcription has been shown to enable memory formation. Indeed, HDAC inhibition appears to facilitate memory by altering the dynamics of gene expression events important for memory consolidation. However, less understood are the ways in which molecular-level consolidation processes alter subsequent memory to enhance storage or facilitate retrieval. Here we used a sensory perspective to investigate whether the characteristics of memory formed with HDAC inhibitors are different from naturally-formed memory. One possibility is that HDAC inhibition enables memory to form with greater sensory detail than normal. Because the auditory system undergoes learning-induced remodeling that provides substrates for sound-specific LTM, we aimed to identify behavioral effects of HDAC inhibition on memory for specific sound features using a standard model of auditory associative cue-reward learning, memory, and cortical plasticity. We found that three systemic post-training treatments of an HDAC3-inhibitor (RGPF966, Abcam Inc.) in rats in the early phase of training facilitated auditory discriminative learning, changed auditory cortical tuning, and increased the specificity for acoustic frequency formed in memory of both excitatory (S+) and inhibitory (S-) associations for at least 2 weeks. The findings support that epigenetic mechanisms act on neural and behavioral sensory acuity to increase the precision of associative cue memory, which can be revealed by studying the sensory characteristics of long-term associative memory formation with HDAC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Shang
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854 USA
| | - Sooraz Bylipudi
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854 USA
| | - Kasia M Bieszczad
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854 USA.
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41
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Kim GS, Smith AK, Nievergelt CM, Uddin M. Neuroepigenetics of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 158:227-253. [PMID: 30072055 PMCID: PMC6474244 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
While diagnosis of PTSD is based on behavioral symptom clusters that are most directly associated with brain function, epigenetic studies of PTSD in humans to date have been limited to peripheral tissues. Animal models of PTSD have been key for understanding the epigenetic alterations in the brain most directly relevant to endophenotypes of PTSD, in particular those pertaining to fear memory and stress response. This chapter provides an overview of neuroepigenetic studies based on animal models of PTSD, with an emphasis on the effect of stress on fear memory. Where relevant, we also describe human-based studies with relevance to neuroepigenetic insights gleaned from animal work and suggest promising directions for future studies of PTSD neuroepigenetics in living humans that combine peripheral epigenetic measures with measures of central nervous system activity, structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace S Kim
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States; Medical Scholars Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Monica Uddin
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States.
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42
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Zhang H, Peng SH, Liang XL, Wang HY, Zhang XG, Jiang XJ. Ntf3 hypermethylation in antenatal PTSD and preventive effect of the Chinese herbal medicine Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2017.1421101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Section Chinese Medicine Nursing of School of Nursing, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Si Han Peng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiao Li Liang
- Section Chinese Medicine Nursing of School of Nursing, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Hong Yan Wang
- School of Nursing, Sichuan Nursing Vocational College, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xian Geng Zhang
- Section Chinese Medicine Nursing of School of Nursing, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, PR China
- School of Nursing, Sichuan Nursing Vocational College, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiao Jing Jiang
- Section Chinese Medicine Nursing of School of Nursing, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, PR China
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Pittig A, Treanor M, LeBeau RT, Craske MG. The role of associative fear and avoidance learning in anxiety disorders: Gaps and directions for future research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 88:117-140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Inserra A. Hypothesis: The Psychedelic Ayahuasca Heals Traumatic Memories via a Sigma 1 Receptor-Mediated Epigenetic-Mnemonic Process. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:330. [PMID: 29674970 PMCID: PMC5895707 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ayahuasca ingestion modulates brain activity, neurotransmission, gene expression and epigenetic regulation. N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT, one of the alkaloids in Ayahuasca) activates sigma 1 receptor (SIGMAR1) and others. SIGMAR1 is a multi-faceted stress-responsive receptor which promotes cell survival, neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, and neuroimmunomodulation. Simultaneously, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) also present in Ayahuasca prevent the degradation of DMT. One peculiarity of SIGMAR1 activation and MAOI activity is the reversal of mnemonic deficits in pre-clinical models. Since traumatic memories in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often characterised by “repression” and PTSD patients ingesting Ayahuasca report the retrieval of such memories, it cannot be excluded that DMT-mediated SIGMAR1 activation and the concomitant MAOIs effects during Ayahuasca ingestion might mediate such “anti-amnesic” process. Here I hypothesise that Ayahuasca, via hyperactivation of trauma and emotional memory-related centres, and via its concomitant SIGMAR1- and MAOIs- induced anti-amnesic effects, facilitates the retrieval of traumatic memories, in turn making them labile (destabilised). As Ayahuasca alkaloids enhance synaptic plasticity, increase neurogenesis and boost dopaminergic neurotransmission, and those processes are involved in memory reconsolidation and fear extinction, the fear response triggered by the memory can be reprogramed and/or extinguished. Subsequently, the memory is stored with this updated significance. To date, it is unclear if new memories replace, co-exist with or bypass old ones. Although the mechanisms involved in memory are still debated, they seem to require the involvement of cellular and molecular events, such as reorganisation of homo and heteroreceptor complexes at the synapse, synaptic plasticity, and epigenetic re-modulation of gene expression. Since SIGMAR1 mobilises synaptic receptor, boosts synaptic plasticity and modulates epigenetic processes, such effects might be involved in the reported healing of traumatic memories in PTSD patients. If this theory proves to be true, Ayahuasca could come to represent the only standing pharmacological treatment which targets traumatic memories in PTSD. Lastly, since SIGMAR1 activation triggers both epigenetic and immunomodulatory programmes, the mechanism here presented could help understanding and treating other conditions in which the cellular memory is dysregulated, such as cancer, diabetes, autoimmune and neurodegenerative pathologies and substance addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Inserra
- Mind and Brain Theme, The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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45
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Jarome TJ, Devulapalli RK. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and Memory: Moving Beyond Protein Degradation. Neuroscientist 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/1073858418762317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cellular models of memory formation have focused on the need for protein synthesis. Recently, evidence has emerged that protein degradation mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is also important for this process. This has led to revised cellular models of memory formation that focus on a balance between protein degradation and synthesis. However, protein degradation is only one function of the UPS. Studies using single-celled organisms have shown that non-proteolytic ubiquitin-proteasome signaling is involved in histone modifications and DNA methylation, suggesting that ubiquitin and the proteasome can regulate chromatin remodeling independent of protein degradation. Despite this evidence, the idea that the UPS is more than a protein degradation pathway has not been examined in the context of memory formation. In this article, we summarize recent findings implicating protein degradation in memory formation and discuss various ways in which both ubiquitin signaling and the proteasome could act independently to regulate epigenetic-mediated transcriptional processes necessary for learning-dependent synaptic plasticity. We conclude by proposing comprehensive models of how non-proteolytic functions of the UPS could work in concert to control epigenetic regulation of the cellular memory consolidation process, which will serve as a framework for future studies examining the role of the UPS in memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Jarome
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rishi K. Devulapalli
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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46
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Shu G, Kramár EA, López AJ, Huynh G, Wood MA, Kwapis JL. Deleting HDAC3 rescues long-term memory impairments induced by disruption of the neuron-specific chromatin remodeling subunit BAF53b. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:109-114. [PMID: 29449454 PMCID: PMC5817283 DOI: 10.1101/lm.046920.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multiple epigenetic mechanisms, including histone acetylation and nucleosome remodeling, are known to be involved in long-term memory formation. Enhancing histone acetylation by deleting histone deacetylases, like HDAC3, typically enhances long-term memory formation. In contrast, disrupting nucleosome remodeling by blocking the neuron-specific chromatin remodeling subunit BAF53b impairs long-term memory. Here, we show that deleting HDAC3 can ameliorate the impairments in both long-term memory and synaptic plasticity caused by BAF53b mutation. This suggests a dynamic interplay exists between histone acetylation/deacetylation and nucleosome remodeling mechanisms in the regulation of memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanhua Shu
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697, USA.,Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Enikö A Kramár
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697, USA.,Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Alberto J López
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697, USA.,Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Grace Huynh
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697, USA.,Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697, USA.,Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Irvine, California, 92697, USA
| | - Janine L Kwapis
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697, USA.,Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Irvine, California, 92697, USA
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47
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Daws SE, Joseph NF, Jamieson S, King ML, Chévere-Torres I, Fuentes I, Shumyatsky GP, Brantley AF, Rumbaugh G, Miller CA. Susceptibility and Resilience to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-like Behaviors in Inbred Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 82:924-933. [PMID: 28778658 PMCID: PMC5683920 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The limited neurobiological understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been partially attributed to the need for improved animal models. Stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL) in rodents recapitulates many PTSD-associated behaviors, including stress-susceptible and stress-resilient subgroups in outbred rats. Identification of subgroups requires additional behavioral phenotyping, a confound to mechanistic studies. METHODS We employed a SEFL paradigm in inbred male and female C57BL/6 mice that combines acute stress with fear conditioning to precipitate traumatic-like memories. Extinction and long-term retention of extinction were examined after SEFL. Further characterization of SEFL effects on male mice was performed with additional behavioral tests, determination of regional activation by Fos immunofluorescence, and RNA sequencing of the basolateral amygdala. RESULTS Stressed animals displayed persistently elevated freezing during extinction. While more uniform in females, SEFL produced male subgroups with differential susceptibility that were identified without posttraining phenotyping. Additional phenotyping of male mice revealed PTSD-associated behaviors, including extinction-resistant fear memory, hyperarousal, generalization, and dysregulated corticosterone in stress-susceptible male mice. Altered Fos activation was also seen in the infralimbic cortex and basolateral amygdala of stress-susceptible male mice after remote memory retrieval. Key behavioral outcomes, including susceptibility, were replicated by two independent laboratories. RNA sequencing of the basolateral amygdala revealed transcriptional divergence between the male subgroups, including genes with reported polymorphic association to patients with PTSD. CONCLUSIONS This SEFL model provides a tool for development of PTSD therapeutics that is compatible with the growing number of mouse-specific resources. Furthermore, use of an inbred strain allows for investigation into epigenetic mechanisms that are expected to critically regulate susceptibility and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E Daws
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Nadine F Joseph
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Sarah Jamieson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Michelle L King
- Behavioral Core, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | | | - Illeana Fuentes
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | | | | | - Gavin Rumbaugh
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Courtney A Miller
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida.
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48
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Cross-talk between the epigenome and neural circuits in drug addiction. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2017; 235:19-63. [PMID: 29054289 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a behavioral disorder characterized by dysregulated learning about drugs and associated cues that result in compulsive drug seeking and relapse. Learning about drug rewards and predictive cues is a complex process controlled by a computational network of neural connections interacting with transcriptional and molecular mechanisms within each cell to precisely guide behavior. The interplay between rapid, temporally specific neuronal activation, and longer-term changes in transcription is of critical importance in the expression of appropriate, or in the case of drug addiction, inappropriate behaviors. Thus, these factors and their interactions must be considered together, especially in the context of treatment. Understanding the complex interplay between epigenetic gene regulation and circuit connectivity will allow us to formulate novel therapies to normalize maladaptive reward behaviors, with a goal of modulating addictive behaviors, while leaving natural reward-associated behavior unaffected.
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49
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Schiele MA, Domschke K. Epigenetics at the crossroads between genes, environment and resilience in anxiety disorders. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:e12423. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. A. Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; Freiburg Germany
| | - K. Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; Freiburg Germany
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50
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Raab A, Popp S, Lesch KP, Lohse MJ, Fischer M, Deckert J, Hommers L. Increased fear learning, spatial learning as well as neophobia in Rgs2−/−
mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:e12420. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Raab
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research; University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Comprehensive Hearth Failure Center (CHFC); University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
| | - S. Popp
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health; University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
| | - K.-P. Lesch
- Comprehensive Hearth Failure Center (CHFC); University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health; University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University; Moscow Russia
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience; Maastricht University; Maastricht The Netherlands
| | - M. J. Lohse
- Comprehensive Hearth Failure Center (CHFC); University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association; Berlin Germany
| | - M. Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health; University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
| | - J. Deckert
- Comprehensive Hearth Failure Center (CHFC); University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health; University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
| | - L. Hommers
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research; University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Comprehensive Hearth Failure Center (CHFC); University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health; University Hospital of Würzburg; Würzburg Germany
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