1
|
Harris S, Scioscia G, Raya Rey A. The influence of tourist visitation on the heterophyl to lymphocyte ratios and trophic values of Magellanic penguins ( Spheniscus magellanicus) at Martillo Island, Argentina. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad063. [PMID: 38053739 PMCID: PMC10694407 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife tourism is increasing worldwide and monitoring the impact of tourism on wild populations is of the utmost importance for species conservation. The Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus colony at Martillo Island, Argentina, was studied in the 2016-2020 breeding seasons. In all seasons, adults and chicks belonged to: (i) an area close to or within the tourist trail or (ii) an area far from the tourist trail and out of sight of the tourists. Blood samples were taken for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition, in order to estimate trophic niches, and for smears that were made in situ and were then stained in the laboratory where leucocyte counts and differentiation were made under optical microscope. Heterophil to lymphocyte ratios were used as proxies of stress. Repeated sampling showed individual stress levels reduced while wintering. In 2017, stress levels and trophic values were lower than 2018 for the same individuals. Trophic levels did not differ between tourism and no tourism areas within each season, and differed between 2017 and the remaining seasons, indicating a possible diet shift that year. Stress levels were higher for the tourism area than the no tourism area for adults and chicks in all years except for 2020, when stress levels in the tourism area were lower and similar to the no tourism area that year and previous years. Vessel transit within the Beagle Channel and tourist visitation to the penguin colony was greatly reduced in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A combination of internal characteristics and external factors may be affecting the stress physiology of individuals. Therefore, future research should include sampling of multiple aspects of penguin physiology, behaviour and environmental context in order to evaluate each effect on Magellanic penguin stress and, ultimately, inform the conservation of this iconic species in time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Harris
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Vida silvestre, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Houssay 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
- Wildlife Conservation Society representación Argentina, Amenábar 1595 piso 2 oficina 19 (1426) CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Scioscia
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Vida silvestre, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Houssay 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
| | - Andrea Raya Rey
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Vida silvestre, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Houssay 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
- Wildlife Conservation Society representación Argentina, Amenábar 1595 piso 2 oficina 19 (1426) CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (ICPA), Universidad de Tierra del Fuego (UNTDF), Walanika 250 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fonte C, Jacob P, Vanet A, Ghislin S, Frippiat JP. Hindlimb unloading, a physiological model of microgravity, modifies the murine bone marrow IgM repertoire in a similar manner as aging but less strongly. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:64. [PMID: 37986079 PMCID: PMC10659048 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00393-1] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spaceflight environment is an extreme environment that affects the immune system of approximately 50% of astronauts. With planned long-duration missions, such as the deployment of the Lunar Gateway and possible interplanetary missions, it is mandatory to determine how all components of the immune system are affected, which will allow the establishment of countermeasures to preserve astronaut health. However, despite being an important component of the immune system, antibody-mediated humoral immunity has rarely been investigated in the context of the effects of the space environment. It has previously been demonstrated that 30 days aboard the BION-M1 satellite and 21 days of hindlimb unloading (HU), a model classically used to mimic the effects of microgravity, decrease murine B lymphopoiesis. Furthermore, modifications in B lymphopoiesis reported in young mice subjected to 21 days of HU were shown to be similar to those observed in aged mice (18-22 months). Since the primary antibody repertoire composed of IgM is created by V(D) J recombination during B lymphopoiesis, the objective of this study was to assess the degree of similarity between changes in the bone marrow IgM repertoire and in the V(D)J recombination process in 2.5-month-old mice subjected to 21 days of HU and aged (18 months) mice. RESULTS We found that in 21 days, HU induced changes in the IgM repertoire that were approximately 3-fold less than those in aged mice, which is a rapid effect. Bone remodeling and epigenetics likely mediate these changes. Indeed, we previously demonstrated a significant decrease in tibial morphometric parameters from day 6 of HU and a progressive reduction in these parameters until day 21 of HU, and it has been shown that age and microgravity induce epigenetic changes. CONCLUSION These data reveal novel immune changes that are akin to advanced aging and underline the importance of studying the effects of spaceflight on antibody-mediated humoral immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Fonte
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, UR 7300 SIMPA, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, Vandoeuvre-lès, Nancy, France
| | - Pauline Jacob
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, UR 7300 SIMPA, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, Vandoeuvre-lès, Nancy, France
| | - Anne Vanet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Ghislin
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, UR 7300 SIMPA, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, Vandoeuvre-lès, Nancy, France
| | - Jean-Pol Frippiat
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, UR 7300 SIMPA, Faculty of Medicine, Lorraine University, Vandoeuvre-lès, Nancy, France.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lagou MK, Karagiannis GS. Obesity-induced thymic involution and cancer risk. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 93:3-19. [PMID: 37088128 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Declining thymic functions associated either with old age (i.e., age-related thymic involution), or with acute involution as a result of stress, infectious disease, or cytoreductive therapies (e.g., chemotherapy/radiotherapy), have been associated with cancer development. A key mechanism underlying such increased cancer risk is the thymus-dependent debilitation of adaptive immunity, which is responsible for orchestrating immunoediting mechanisms and tumor immune surveillance. In the past few years, a blooming set of evidence has intriguingly linked obesity with cancer development and progression. The majority of such studies has focused on obesity-driven chronic inflammation, steroid/sex hormone and adipokine production, and hyperinsulinemia, as principal factors affecting the tumor microenvironment and driving the development of primary malignancy. However, experimental observations about the negative impact of obesity on T cell development and maturation have existed for more than half a century. Here, we critically discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms of obesity-driven thymic involution as a previously underrepresented intermediary pathology leading to cancer development and progression. This knowledge could be especially relevant in the context of childhood obesity, because impaired thymic function in young individuals leads to immune system abnormalities, and predisposes to various pediatric cancers. A thorough understanding behind the molecular and cellular circuitries governing obesity-induced thymic involution could therefore help towards the rationalized development of targeted thymic regeneration strategies for obese individuals at high risk of cancer development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Lagou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - George S Karagiannis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Integrated Imaging Program for Cancer Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cyrino JC, de Figueiredo AC, Córdoba-Moreno MO, Gomes FR, Titon SCM. Day Versus Night Melatonin and Corticosterone Modulation by LPS in Distinct Tissues of Toads (Rhinella Icterica). Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:1606-1617. [PMID: 35568500 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogen-associated molecular patterns modulate melatonin (MEL) production in the pineal and extra-pineal sites and corticosterone (CORT) synthesis in the adrenal/interrenal and other tissues. Both MEL and CORT play essential and complex immunomodulatory roles, controlling the inflammatory response. Given that most of what we know about these interactions is derived from mammalian studies, discovering how MEL and CORT are modulated following an immune challenge in anurans would increase understanding of how conserved these immune-endocrine interactions are in vertebrates. Herein, we investigated the modulation of MEL and CORT in plasma vs. local tissues of toads (Rhinella icterica) in response to an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2 mg/kg) at day and night. Blood samples were taken 2 hours after injection (noon and midnight), and individuals were killed for tissue collection (bone marrow, lungs, liver, and intestine). MEL and CORT were determined in plasma and tissue homogenates. LPS treatment increased MEL concentration in bone marrow during the day. Intestine MEL levels were higher at night than during the day, particularly in LPS-injected toads. Bone marrow and lungs showed the highest MEL levels among tissues. Plasma MEL levels were not affected by either the treatment or the phase. Plasma CORT levels increased in LPS-treated individuals, with an accentuated increase at night. Otherwise, CORT concentration in the tissues was not affected by LPS exposure. Modulation of MEL levels in bone marrow suggests this tissue may participate in the toad's inflammatory response assembly. Moreover, MEL and CORT levels were different in tissues, pointing to an independent modulation of hormonal concentration. Our results suggest an important role of immune challenge in modulating MEL and CORT, bringing essential insights into the hormone-immune interactions during anuran's inflammatory response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Cunha Cyrino
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Aymam Cobo de Figueiredo
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Marlina Olyissa Córdoba-Moreno
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Assis VR, Titon SCM, Voyles J. Ecoimmunology: What Unconventional Organisms Tell Us after Two Decades. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:icac148. [PMID: 36250609 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vania R Assis
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 05508-090, Brasil
| | - Stefanny C M Titon
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP 05508-090, Brasil
| | - Jamie Voyles
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tetel V, Tonissen S, Fraley GS. Sex differences in serum glucocorticoid levels and heterophil:lymphocyte ratios in adult pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2022; 317:113975. [PMID: 34995644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
It is becoming more common for poultry scientists to utilize direct and indirect measures of stress hormones to monitor bird welfare. However, it has been clear that our understanding of the avian hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis (HPA) is insufficient as evidenced by the many conflicting reports regarding stress responses, such as transportation stress, in poultry. It has long been assumed that the poultry HPA functions similarly to that of mammals, but now we know that there are considerable differences in the avian HPA compared to mammals. Synthesis and release of glucocorticoids (GC) are stimulated by adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH); GC are synthesized from a common pathway that begins with cholesterol and pregnenolone. The synthesis of one of the glucocorticoids does not depend upon the synthesis of the other. The purpose of our study was to test the hypothesis that ACTH will stimulate both corticosterone and cortisol release in ducks. To test this hypothesis, we injected artificial ACTH (cosyntropin; 0.0625 mg/kg, 0.031 mg/kg, or 0.016 mg/kg or saline as control) intramuscularly into adult drakes and hens (N = 10/sex/dose). Both glucocorticoids (GC) were assayed in serum using previously verified ELISAs. Blood smears were also assessed for heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (HLR). Data were analyzed by repeated measures 3-way ANOVA with Fishers PLSD as an ad hoc test. We observed that both GC were secreted in significantly (p = 0.0002) different patterns in a dose-dependent manner compared to controls, and that there was a significant (p = 0.0001) sex difference in both GC compared to saline controls. Further, we observed that all doses of ACTH elicited a significant (p = 0.004) sex difference in the HLR response compared to controls, but no dose-dependent effects were noted. Our data suggest that ducks, at least, may utilize more than just corticosterone to maintain physiological homeostasis in response to stress. Further, the time course of the stressor to release GC and subsequent HLR response may be dependent upon sex. More detailed analyses of the HPA are necessary in all avian species to better understand stress responses as we utilize biological bases for welfare assessments and stress responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Tetel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - S Tonissen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - G S Fraley
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Salehzadeh M, Soma KK. Glucocorticoid production in the thymus and brain: Immunosteroids and neurosteroids. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100352. [PMID: 34988497 PMCID: PMC8710407 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate a myriad of physiological systems, such as the immune and nervous systems. Systemic GC levels in blood are often measured as an indicator of local GC levels in target organs. However, several extra-adrenal organs can produce and metabolize GCs locally. More sensitive and specific methods for GC analysis (i.e., mass spectrometry) allow measurement of local GC levels in small tissue samples with low GC concentrations. Consequently, is it now apparent that systemic GC levels often do not reflect local GC levels. Here, we review the use of systemic GC measurements in clinical and research settings, discuss instances where systemic GC levels do not reflect local GC levels, and present evidence that local GC levels provide useful insights, with a focus on local GC production in the thymus (immunosteroids) and brain (neurosteroids). Lastly, we suggest key areas for further research, such as the roles of immunosteroids and neurosteroids in neonatal programming and the potential clinical relevance of local GC modulators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melody Salehzadeh
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tetel V, Van Wyk B, Fraley GS. Sex differences in glucocorticoid responses to shipping stress in Pekin ducks. Poult Sci 2021; 101:101534. [PMID: 34823178 PMCID: PMC8626681 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some concerns have been raised recently about the assay of corticosterone vs. cortisol in poultry species. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that ducks secrete both glucocorticoids. First, we validated two commercially ELISA kits for the two glucocorticoids by first charcoal stripping duck serum in order to remove all steroid hormones. We ran serial dilutions of spiked, charcoal-stripped serum on kits of opposite glucocorticoid as well as a serial dilution using the respective ELISA buffer of the opposite assay kit. We found that the glucocorticoid standard curve in duck serum matched the respective curve in that kit's own buffer. However, when the opposite hormone was run in each kit in both duck serum or ELISA buffer, a near zero slope was obtained. Second, we further validated the presence of both glucocorticoids using mass spectrometry. Third, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous ACTH would stimulate the release of both corticosterone and cortisol. And, fourth, we tested the hypothesis that each glucocorticoid would have different serum levels in response to shipping stress. To test this hypothesis, we collected serum from 10 drakes and 10 hens from 2 flocks (N = 20 per time point per sex): 24 h prior to shipping, at shipping as ducks were walked off the truck, 24 h after shipping, and 1 wk after shipping. Data were analyzed by 2-way repeated measures ANOVA. Surprisingly, we also observed a sex difference in both glucocorticoid levels in that hens showed higher (P < 0.01) serum levels than did drakes at all-time points in response to either ACTH or transportation. Finally, no differences were observed in either glucocorticoid levels associated with shipping in either sex. The fact that both glucocorticoids are released in measurable amounts lends to the possibility that they may be differentially regulated, or at least there is a sex difference in the neural pathways associated with glucocorticoid release in ducks. Although corticosterone is the likely predominate glucocorticoid in ducks, serious attention should be given to the role of cortisol in poultry. Further consideration of sex, age, and timing of blood collection to stressor needs to be considered when assessing glucocorticoid levels in any avian species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Tetel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - B Van Wyk
- Department of Biology, Hope College, Holland, MI, USA
| | - G S Fraley
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Merk VM, Phan TS, Brunner T. Regulation of Tissue Immune Responses by Local Glucocorticoids at Epithelial Barriers and Their Impact on Interorgan Crosstalk. Front Immunol 2021; 12:672808. [PMID: 34012456 PMCID: PMC8127840 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.672808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The anti-inflammatory role of extra-adrenal glucocorticoid (GC) synthesis at epithelial barriers is of increasing interest with regard to the search for alternatives to synthetic corticosteroids in the therapy of inflammatory disorders. Despite being very effective in many situations the use of synthetic corticosteroids is often controversial, as exemplified in the treatment of influenza patients and only recently in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Exploring the regulatory capacity of locally produced GCs in balancing immune responses in barrier tissues and in pathogenic disorders that lead to symptoms in multiple organs, could provide new perspectives for drug development. Intestine, skin and lung represent the first contact zones between potentially harmful pathogens or substances and the body, and are therefore important sites of immunoregulatory mechanisms. Here, we review the role of locally produced GCs in the regulation of type 2 immune responses, like asthma, atopic dermatitis and ulcerative colitis, as well as type 1 and type 3 infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, like influenza infection, psoriasis and Crohn’s disease. In particular, we focus on the role of locally produced GCs in the interorgan communication, referred to as gut-skin axis, gut-lung axis or lung-skin axis, all of which are interconnected in the pathogenic crosstalk atopic march.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena M Merk
- Department of Biology, Chair of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Truong San Phan
- Department of Biology, Chair of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Brunner
- Department of Biology, Chair of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Titon SCM, Assis VR. Introduction to the special issue: Ecoimmunology in ectotherms. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 333:697-705. [PMID: 33450144 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanny C M Titon
- Laboratório de Comportamento e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Rua do Matão, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vania R Assis
- Laboratório de Comportamento e Fisiologia Evolutiva, Rua do Matão, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gravitational Experimental Platform for Animal Models, a New Platform at ESA's Terrestrial Facilities to Study the Effects of Micro- and Hypergravity on Aquatic and Rodent Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062961. [PMID: 33803957 PMCID: PMC7998548 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Using rotors to expose animals to different levels of hypergravity is an efficient means of understanding how altered gravity affects physiological functions, interactions between physiological systems and animal development. Furthermore, rotors can be used to prepare space experiments, e.g., conducting hypergravity experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of a study before its implementation and to complement inflight experiments by comparing the effects of micro- and hypergravity. In this paper, we present a new platform called the Gravitational Experimental Platform for Animal Models (GEPAM), which has been part of European Space Agency (ESA)’s portfolio of ground-based facilities since 2020, to study the effects of altered gravity on aquatic animal models (amphibian embryos/tadpoles) and mice. This platform comprises rotors for hypergravity exposure (three aquatic rotors and one rodent rotor) and models to simulate microgravity (cages for mouse hindlimb unloading and a random positioning machine (RPM)). Four species of amphibians can be used at present. All murine strains can be used and are maintained in a specific pathogen-free area. This platform is surrounded by numerous facilities for sample preparation and analysis using state-of-the-art techniques. Finally, we illustrate how GEPAM can contribute to the understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms and the identification of countermeasures.
Collapse
|
12
|
Hamden JE, Gray KM, Salehzadeh M, Kachkovski GV, Forys BJ, Ma C, Austin SH, Soma KK. Steroid profiling of glucocorticoids in microdissected mouse brain across development. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:189-206. [PMID: 33420760 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Corticosterone is produced by the adrenal glands and also produced locally by other organs, such as the brain. Local levels of corticosterone in specific brain regions during development are not known. Here, we microdissected brain tissue and developed a novel liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS) to measure a panel of seven steroids (including 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone, and 11-dehydrocorticosterone (DHC) in the blood, hippocampus (HPC), cerebral cortex (CC), and hypothalamus (HYP) of mice at postnatal day (PND) 5, 21, and 90. In a second cohort of mice, we measured the expression of three genes that code for steroidogenic enzymes that regulate corticosterone levels (Cyp11b1, Hsd11b1, and Hsd11b2) in the HPC, CC, and HYP. There were region-specific patterns of steroid levels across development, including higher corticosterone levels in the HPC and HYP than in the blood at PND5. In contrast, corticosterone levels were higher in the blood than in all brain regions at PND21 and PND90. Brain corticosterone levels were not positively correlated with blood corticosterone levels, and correlations across brain regions increased with age. Local corticosterone levels were best predicted by local DOC levels at PND5, but by local DHC levels at PND21 and PND90. Transcripts for the three enzymes were detectable in all samples (with highest expression of Hsd11b1) and showed region-specific changes with age. These data demonstrate that individual brain regions fine-tune local levels of corticosterone during early development and that coupling of glucocorticoid levels across regions increases with age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Hamden
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Katherine M Gray
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Melody Salehzadeh
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - George V Kachkovski
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brandon J Forys
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Chunqi Ma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Suzanne H Austin
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Himmelstein R, Spahija A, Fokidis HB. Evidence for fasting induced extra-adrenal steroidogenesis in the male brown anole, Anolis sagrei. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 253:110544. [PMID: 33338607 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110544] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are steroids secreted by the adrenal glands into circulation to effect distant target tissues and coordinate physiological processes. This classic systemic view of steroids has been challenged by evidence that other tissues can independently synthesize their own steroids. Little is known however regarding circumstances that can promote this extra-adrenal steroidogenesis. Here we tested if fasting can induce tissues to increase GC and DHEA synthesis in the brown anole lizard Anolis sagrei. Lizards fasted for eight days lost body mass and increased fatty acid oxidation. Fasting also increased plasma concentrations of DHEA and corticosterone, but not cortisol. Corticosterone concentration within the adrenals, heart, intestines, lungs and liver exceeded that in plasma, with the latter two increasing with fasting. Levels of DHEA in the adrenals and heart were higher than in plasma, but no significant effect of fasting was observed, expect for a noticeable increase in intestinal DHEA. Two steroidogenic genes, the steroidogenic acute regulatory (Star) protein and Cyp17a1, a cytochrome P450 enzyme, were expressed in several tissues including the liver, lungs and intestines, which were increased with fasting. Continued research should aim to test for expression of additional enzymes further along the steroidogenic pathway. Nonetheless these data document potential extra-adrenal steroidogenesis as a possible mechanism for coping with energy shortages, although much work remains to be done to determine the specific roles of locally synthesized steroids in each tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ada Spahija
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL, USA
| | - H Bobby Fokidis
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cortisol Metabolism in Carp Macrophages: A Role for Macrophage-Derived Cortisol in M1/M2 Polarization. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238954. [PMID: 33255713 PMCID: PMC7728068 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are crucial not only for initiation of inflammation and pathogen eradication (classically polarized M1 macrophages), but also for inflammation inhibition and tissue regeneration (alternatively polarized M2 macrophages). Their polarization toward the M1 population occurs under the influence of interferon-γ + lipopolysaccharide (IFN-γ + LPS), while alternatively polarized M2 macrophages evolve upon, e.g., interlukin 4 (IL-4) or cortisol stimulation. This in vitro study focused on a possible role for macrophage-derived cortisol in M1/M2 polarization in common carp. We studied the expression of molecules involved in cortisol synthesis/conversion from and to cortisone like 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and 3. (11β-HSD2 and 3) and 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11b), as well as the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in M1 and M2 macrophages. Lastly, we analyzed how inhibition of these molecules affect macrophage polarization. In M1 cells, upregulation of gene expression of GRs and 11β-HSD3 was found, while, in M2 macrophages, expression of 11β-hsd2 was upregulated. Moreover, blocking of cortisol synthesis/conversion and GRs or PPARγ induced changes in expression of anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10). Consequently, our data show that carp monocytes/macrophages can convert cortisol. The results strongly suggest that cortisol, via intracrine interaction with GRs, is important for IL-10-dependent control of the activity of macrophages and for the regulation of M1/M2 polarization to finally determine the outcome of an infection.
Collapse
|
15
|
Gao X, Yamazaki Y, Pecori A, Tezuka Y, Ono Y, Omata K, Morimoto R, Nakamura Y, Satoh F, Sasano H. Histopathological Analysis of Tumor Microenvironment and Angiogenesis in Pheochromocytoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:587779. [PMID: 33244312 PMCID: PMC7685215 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.587779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) are relatively rare catecholamine-producing tumors derived from adrenal medulla. Tumor microenvironment (TME) including neoangiogenesis has been explored in many human neoplasms but not necessarily in PHEOs. Therefore, in this study, we examined tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (CD4 and CD8), tumor associated macrophages (CD68 and CD163), sustentacular cells (S100p), and angiogenic markers (CD31 and areas of intratumoral hemorrhage) in 39 cases of PHEOs in the quantitative fashion. We then compared the results with pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland scaled score (PASS), grading system for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (GAPP) and the status of intra-tumoral catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes (TH, DDC, and PNMT) as well as their clinicopathological factors. Intratumoral CD8 (p = 0.0256), CD31 (p = 0.0400), and PNMT (p = 0.0498) status was significantly higher in PHEOs with PASS <4 than PASS ≧4. In addition, intratumoral CD8+ lymphocytes were also significantly more abundant in well-than moderately differentiated PHEO according to GAPP score (p = 0.0108) and inversely correlated with tumor size (p = 0.0257). Intratumoral CD68+ cells were significantly higher in PHEOs with regular or normal histological patterns than those not (p = 0.0370) and inversely correlated with tumor size (p = 0.0457). The status of CD163 was significantly positively correlated with that of CD8 positive cells (p = 0.0032). The proportion of intratumoral hemorrhage areas was significantly higher in PHEOs with PASS ≧4 (p = 0.0172). DDC immunoreactivity in tumor cells was significantly positively correlated with PASS score (p = 0.0356) and TH status was significantly higher in PHEOs harboring normal histological patterns (p = 0.0236) and cellular monotony (p = 0.0219) than those not. Results of our present study did demonstrate that abundant CD8+ and CD68+ cells could represent a histologically low-scored tumor. In particular, PHEOs with increased intratumoral hemorrhage should be considered rather malignant. In addition, abnormal catecholamine-producing status of tumor cells such as deficient PNMT and TH and increased DDC could also represent more aggressive PHEOs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gao
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuto Yamazaki
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Alessio Pecori
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuta Tezuka
- Division of Clinical Hypertension, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshikiyo Ono
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kei Omata
- Division of Clinical Hypertension, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryo Morimoto
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakamura
- Division of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Fumitoshi Satoh
- Division of Clinical Hypertension, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology, and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- *Correspondence: Hironobu Sasano,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Leenaars CHC, van der Mierden S, Durst M, Goerlich-Jansson VC, Ripoli FL, Keubler LM, Talbot SR, Boyle E, Habedank A, Jirkof P, Lewejohann L, Gass P, Tolba R, Bleich A. Measurement of corticosterone in mice: a protocol for a mapping review. Lab Anim 2019; 54:26-32. [PMID: 31657274 DOI: 10.1177/0023677219868499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Severity assessment for experiments conducted with laboratory animals is still based mainly on subjective evaluations; evidence-based methods are scarce. Objective measures, amongst which determination of the concentrations of stress hormones, can be used to aid severity assessment. Short-term increases in glucocorticoid concentrations generally reflect healthy responses to stressors, but prolonged increases may indicate impaired welfare. As mice are the most commonly used laboratory animal species, we performed a systematic mapping review of corticosterone measurements in Mus musculus, to provide a full overview of specimen types (e.g. blood, urine, hair, saliva, and milk) and analysis techniques. In this publication, we share our protocol and search strategy, and our rationale for performing this systematic analysis to advance severity assessment. So far, we have screened 13,520 references, and included 5337 on primary studies with measurements of endogenous corticosterone in M. musculus. Data extraction is currently in progress. When finished, this mapping review will be a valuable resource for scientists interested in corticosterone measurements to aid severity assessment. We plan to present the data in a publication and a searchable database, which will allow for even easier retrieval of the relevant literature. These resources will aid implementation of objective measures into severity assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cathalijn H C Leenaars
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Germany.,Department of Animals in Science and Society, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mattea Durst
- Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Lydia M Keubler
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Steven R Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Erin Boyle
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| | - Anne Habedank
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paulin Jirkof
- Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behaviour and Laboratory Animal Science, Free University Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim Faculty, Germany
| | - René Tolba
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hamden JE, Salehzadeh M, Jalabert C, O'Leary TP, Snyder JS, Gomez-Sanchez CE, Soma KK. Measurement of 11-dehydrocorticosterone in mice, rats and songbirds: Effects of age, sex and stress. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 281:173-182. [PMID: 31145891 PMCID: PMC6751571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are secreted into the blood by the adrenal glands and are also locally-produced by organs such as the lymphoid organs (bone marrow, thymus, and spleen). Corticosterone is the primary circulating GC in many species, including mice, rats and birds. Within lymphoid organs, corticosterone can be locally produced from the inactive metabolite, 11-dehydrocorticosterone (DHC). However, very little is known about endogenous DHC levels, and no immunoassays are currently available to measure DHC. Here, we developed an easy-to-use and inexpensive immunoassay to measure DHC that is accurate, precise, sensitive, and specific. The DHC immunoassay was validated in multiple ways, including comparison with a mass spectrometry assay. After assay validations, we demonstrated the usefulness of this immunoassay by measuring DHC (and corticosterone) in mice, rats and song sparrows. Overall, corticosterone levels were higher than DHC levels across species. In Study 1, using mice, we measured steroids in whole blood and lymphoid organs at postnatal day (PND) 5, PND23, and PND90. Corticosterone and DHC showed distinct tissue-specific patterns across development. In Studies 2 and 3, we measured circulating corticosterone and DHC in adult rats and song sparrows, before and after restraint stress. In rats and song sparrows, restraint stress rapidly increased circulating levels of both steroids. This novel DHC immunoassay revealed major changes in DHC concentrations during development and in response to stress, which have important implications for understanding GC physiology, effects of stress on immune function, and regulation of local GC levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Hamden
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Melody Salehzadeh
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cecilia Jalabert
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Timothy P O'Leary
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jason S Snyder
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Celso E Gomez-Sanchez
- Endocrine and Research Service, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA; Division of Endocrinology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cho J, Bing SJ, Kim A, Herath KHINM, Ahn G, Jee Y. Jeju ground water containing vanadium induces normal T cell development and immune activation in chronically stressed mice. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:4443-4452. [PMID: 31302805 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Containing high concentration of vanadium served by the volcanic bedrock, Jeju ground water has long been known for various implicit health benefits including immune-promotion. Exposure to stress has been reported to be associated with immunosuppression such as reducing lymphocyte population or antibody production due to stress hormones. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of Jeju ground water on chronically stressed mice. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to various stressors such as restraint stress, water swimming stress, heat stress, acoustic stress, and Jeju ground water was supplied for 28 days with two different concentrations, S1 (vanadium 15-20 μg/l, pH 8.3) and S2 (vanadium 20-25 μg/l, pH 8.5). Treatment with Jeju ground water increased CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ single-positive thymocytes. It also increased the proliferation of splenocytes and the populations of CD4+ T cells, CD45R/B220+ B cells, CD11b+ macrophages or Gr-1+ granulocytes in spleen. In addition, the production of IgG was increased in chronically stressed mice by treatment with Jeju ground water. These results suggest vanadium-rich Jeju ground water may be helpful in T cell development in thymus and immune cell proliferation and its function in spleen against chronic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinhee Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehakno, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - So Jin Bing
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehakno, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Areum Kim
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology & Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Ginnae Ahn
- Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, 59626, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngheun Jee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehakno, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea.
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology & Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Alauzet C, Cunat L, Wack M, Lozniewski A, Busby H, Agrinier N, Cailliez-Grimal C, Frippiat JP. Hypergravity disrupts murine intestinal microbiota. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9410. [PMID: 31253829 PMCID: PMC6599200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45153-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During spaceflight, organisms are subjected to various physical stressors including modification of gravity (G) that, associated with lifestyle, could lead to impaired immunity, intestinal dysbiosis and thus potentially predispose astronauts to illness. Whether space travel affects microbiota homeostasis has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in intestinal microbiota and mucosa in a ground-based murine model consisting in a 21-days confinement of mice in a centrifuge running at 2 or 3G. Results revealed an increased α-diversity and a significant change in intracaecal β-diversity observed only at 3G, with profiles characterized by a decrease of the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Compared to 1G microbiota, 12.1% of the taxa were significantly impacted in 3G microbiota, most of them (78%) being enriched. This study shows a G-level-dependent disruption of intracaecal microbiota, without alteration of mucosal integrity. These first data reinforce those recently obtained with in-flight experimentations or microgravity models, and emphasize the critical need for further studies exploring the impact of spaceflight on intestinal microbiota in order to optimize long-term space travel conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corentine Alauzet
- Université de Lorraine, SIMPA, F-54000, Nancy, France.
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire Nancy, F-54000, Nancy, France.
| | - Lisiane Cunat
- Université de Lorraine, SIMPA, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Maxime Wack
- CHRU-Nancy, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, CIC, Epidémiologie Clinique, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Alain Lozniewski
- Université de Lorraine, SIMPA, F-54000, Nancy, France
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire Nancy, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Hélène Busby
- Département d'anatomie et cytologie pathologiques, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire Nancy, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Nelly Agrinier
- CHRU-Nancy, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, CIC, Epidémiologie Clinique, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis at epithelial barriers. Genes Immun 2019; 20:627-640. [PMID: 30692606 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-019-0058-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial barriers play an important role in the exchange of nutrients, gases, and other signals between our body and the outside world. However, they protect it also from invasion by potential pathogens. Defective epithelial barriers and associated overshooting immune responses are the basis of many different inflammatory disorders of the skin, the lung, and the intestinal mucosa. The anti-inflammatory activity of glucocorticoids has been efficiently used for the treatment of these diseases. Interestingly, epithelia in these tissues are also a rich source of endogenous glucocorticoids, suggesting that local glucocorticoid synthesis is part of a tissue-specific regulatory circuit. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis at the epithelial barriers of the intestine, lung and the skin, and discuss their relevance in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and as therapeutic targets.
Collapse
|
21
|
Fonte C, Kaminski S, Vanet A, Lanfumey L, Cohen-Salmon C, Ghislin S, Frippiat JP. Socioenvironmental stressors encountered during spaceflight partially affect the murine TCR-β repertoire and increase its self-reactivity. FASEB J 2018; 33:896-908. [PMID: 30052484 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800969r] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spaceflights are known to affect the immune system. In a previous study, we demonstrated that hypergravity exposure during murine development modified 85% of the T-cell receptor (TCR)-β repertoire. In this study, we investigated whether socioenvironmental stressors encountered during space missions affect T lymphopoiesis and the TCR-β repertoire. To address this question, pregnant mice were subjected throughout gestation to chronic unpredictable mild stressors (CUMS), a model used to mimic socioenvironmental stresses encountered during space missions. Then, newborn T lymphopoiesis and the TCR-β repertoire were studied by flow cytometry and high-throughput sequencing, respectively. No change in thymocyte maturation or TCR expression were noted. TCR-β repertoire analysis revealed that 75% of neonate TCR-β sequences resulted from the expression of 3 variable (V)β segments and that this core repertoire was not affected by CUMS. However, the minor repertoire, representing 25% of the global repertoire, was sensitive to CUMS exposure. We also showed that the variable (diversity) joining [V(D)J] recombination process was unlikely to be affected. Finally, we noted that the CUMS neonatal minor repertoire was more self-reactive than the one of control pups. These findings show that socioenvironmental stressors such as those encountered during space missions affect a fraction (25%) of the TCR-β repertoire and that these stressors could increase self-reactivity.-Fonte, C., Kaminski, S., Vanet, A., Lanfumey, L., Cohen-Salmon, C., Ghislin, S., Frippiat, J.-P. Socioenvironmental stressors encountered during spaceflight partially affect the murine TCR-β repertoire and increase its self-reactivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Fonte
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, l'Équipe d'Accueil 7300, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Sandra Kaminski
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, l'Équipe d'Accueil 7300, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Anne Vanet
- Epôle de Génoinformatique, Institut Jacques Monod, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7592, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris Diderot University, University Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Lanfumey
- INSERM, Unité Mixte de Recherche 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neuroscience, Paris, France; and
| | - Charles Cohen-Salmon
- INSERM, Unité 1141, PROTECT, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Ghislin
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, l'Équipe d'Accueil 7300, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Jean-Pol Frippiat
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, l'Équipe d'Accueil 7300, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Crucian BE, Choukèr A, Simpson RJ, Mehta S, Marshall G, Smith SM, Zwart SR, Heer M, Ponomarev S, Whitmire A, Frippiat JP, Douglas GL, Lorenzi H, Buchheim JI, Makedonas G, Ginsburg GS, Ott CM, Pierson DL, Krieger SS, Baecker N, Sams C. Immune System Dysregulation During Spaceflight: Potential Countermeasures for Deep Space Exploration Missions. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1437. [PMID: 30018614 PMCID: PMC6038331 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have established that dysregulation of the human immune system and the reactivation of latent herpesviruses persists for the duration of a 6-month orbital spaceflight. It appears certain aspects of adaptive immunity are dysregulated during flight, yet some aspects of innate immunity are heightened. Interaction between adaptive and innate immunity also seems to be altered. Some crews experience persistent hypersensitivity reactions during flight. This phenomenon may, in synergy with extended duration and galactic radiation exposure, increase specific crew clinical risks during deep space exploration missions. The clinical challenge is based upon both the frequency of these phenomena in multiple crewmembers during low earth orbit missions and the inability to predict which specific individual crewmembers will experience these changes. Thus, a general countermeasure approach that offers the broadest possible coverage is needed. The vehicles, architecture, and mission profiles to enable such voyages are now under development. These include deployment and use of a cis-Lunar station (mid 2020s) with possible Moon surface operations, to be followed by multiple Mars flyby missions, and eventual human Mars surface exploration. Current ISS studies will continue to characterize physiological dysregulation associated with prolonged orbital spaceflight. However, sufficient information exists to begin consideration of both the need for, and nature of, specific immune countermeasures to ensure astronaut health. This article will review relevant in-place operational countermeasures onboard ISS and discuss a myriad of potential immune countermeasures for exploration missions. Discussion points include nutritional supplementation and functional foods, exercise and immunity, pharmacological options, the relationship between bone and immune countermeasures, and vaccination to mitigate herpes (and possibly other) virus risks. As the immune system has sentinel connectivity within every other physiological system, translational effects must be considered for all potential immune countermeasures. Finally, we shall discuss immune countermeasures in the context of their individualized implementation or precision medicine, based on crewmember specific immunological biases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian E. Crucian
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alexander Choukèr
- Laboratory of Translational Research “Stress and Immunity”, Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Richard J. Simpson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | - Gailen Marshall
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Scott M. Smith
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sara R. Zwart
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Martina Heer
- Institute of Nutritional and Food Sciences, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Jean P. Frippiat
- Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, EA7300, Lorraine University, Nancy, France
| | - Grace L. Douglas
- Human Systems Engineering and Development Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Judith-Irina Buchheim
- Laboratory of Translational Research “Stress and Immunity”, Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Geoffrey S. Ginsburg
- Duke Center for Applied Genomics and Precision Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - C. Mark Ott
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Duane L. Pierson
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Natalie Baecker
- Institute of Nutritional and Food Sciences, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Clarence Sams
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Seki T, Miyamoto A, Ohshima S, Ohno Y, Yasuda A, Tokuda Y, Ando K, Kametani Y. Expression of glucocorticoid receptor shows negative correlation with human B-cell engraftment in PBMC-transplanted NOGhIL-4-Tg mice. Biosci Trends 2018; 12:247-256. [PMID: 29806632 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2018.01083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The humanized mouse system is a promising tool for analyzing human immune responses in vivo. Recently, we developed a new humanized mouse system using the severely immunodeficient NOD/Shi-scid-IL2rγnull (NOG)-hIL-4-Tg mouse, which enabled us to evaluate the human humoral immune response after peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) transplantation. However, the mechanism by which hIL-4 enhances antigen-specific IgG production in these mice is not clear. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between human lymphocyte subsets and the expression level of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to clarify the humoral immune condition in human PBMC-transplanted NOG-hIL-4 mice. The results showed that the human GR mRNA level was significantly lower in NOG-hIL-4-Tg splenocytes than in conventional NOG splenocytes after immunization. Whereas no obvious difference of the proportion of T helper-cell subsets was observed between the NOG and NOG-hIL-4-Tg mouse strains, the B-cell proportion and antigen-specific IgG concentration in plasma showed strong negative correlations with the GR mRNA level. These results suggest that the GR expression level was changed in PBMCs in the humanized NOG-hIL-4-Tg mice, which may support B-cell survival and function in the mouse system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toshiro Seki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Asuka Miyamoto
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine.,Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Shino Ohshima
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Yusuke Ohno
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Atsushi Yasuda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Yutaka Tokuda
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Kiyoshi Ando
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Yoshie Kametani
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine.,Institute of Advanced Biosciences, Tokai University
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tobiansky DJ, Korol AM, Ma C, Hamden JE, Jalabert C, Tomm RJ, Soma KK. Testosterone and Corticosterone in the Mesocorticolimbic System of Male Rats: Effects of Gonadectomy and Caloric Restriction. Endocrinology 2018; 159:450-464. [PMID: 29069423 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones can modulate motivated behaviors through the mesocorticolimbic system. Gonadectomy (GDX) is a common method to determine how steroids influence the mesocorticolimbic system, and caloric restriction (CR) is often used to invigorate motivated behaviors. A common assumption is that the effects of these manipulations on brain steroid levels reflects circulating steroid levels. We now know that the brain regulates local steroid levels in a region-specific manner; however, previous studies have low spatial resolution. Using ultrasensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we examined steroids in microdissected regions of the mesocorticolimbic system (ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, medial prefrontal cortex). We examined whether GDX or CR influences systemic and local steroids, particularly testosterone (T) and steroidogenic enzyme transcripts. Adult male rats underwent a GDX surgery and/or CR for either 2 or 6 weeks. Levels of T, the primary steroid of interest, were higher in all brain regions than in the blood, whereas corticosterone (CORT) was lower in the brain than in the blood. Importantly, GDX completely eliminated T in the blood and lowered T in the brain. Yet, T remained present in the brain, even 6 weeks after GDX. CR decreased both T and CORT in the blood and brain. Steroidogenic enzyme (Cyp17a1, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, aromatase) transcripts and androgen receptor transcripts were expressed in the mesocorticolimbic system and differentially affected by GDX and CR. Together, these results suggest that T is synthesized within the mesocorticolimbic system. These results provide a foundation for future studies examining how neurosteroids influence behaviors mediated by the mesocorticolimbic system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anastasia M Korol
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chunqi Ma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jordan E Hamden
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cecilia Jalabert
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan J Tomm
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Grindstaff JL, Merrill L. Developmental corticosterone treatment does not program immune responses in zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2017; 327:262-272. [PMID: 29202116 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Developmental conditions may impact the expression of immune traits throughout an individual's life. Early-life challenges may lead to immunological constraints that are mediated by endocrine-immune interactions. In particular, individual differences in the ability to mount immune responses may be programmed by exposure to stressors or glucocorticoid hormones during development. To test this hypothesis, we experimentally elevated levels of the glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone during the nestling and fledgling periods in captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). We subsequently challenged birds with the antigen lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on days 60 and 100 post-hatch to determine if developmental exposure to elevated corticosterone impacted the later response to LPS. As measures of immune function, we quantified bacteria killing ability, haptoglobin concentrations, and LPS-specific antibody responses at multiple time points. We also measured circulating corticosterone concentrations during the experimental period and on day 60 before and after endotoxin challenge. During the experimental period, corticosterone treatment elevated corticosterone levels. Corticosterone treatment did not induce programming effects on immune function or corticosterone production. Independent of treatment, individuals with higher corticosterone concentrations during the nestling period had lower bacteria killing ability on day 36 and higher baseline corticosterone concentrations on day 60 post-hatch. These results suggest a limited role for corticosterone exposure during early life to mediate immunological constraints later in life. Manipulation of cortisol may be necessary to conclusively determine if developmental glucocorticoid exposure can program immune function in birds. To determine if developmental stress can program the immune response, exposure to environmentally relevant stressors should also be manipulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Loren Merrill
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.,Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Assessment of leukocyte activity in mice devoid of the glucocorticoid receptor in the noradrenergic system (GR DBHCre). Immunobiology 2017; 223:227-238. [PMID: 29030008 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Disturbances in brain monoamines, overactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and pro-inflammatory tendency in the immune system are the key features of depressive disorders. Recently, several murine lines with mutations in glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) have been generated and these animals may be utilized for study depressive-like disorders. In the present study, we have investigated whether selective ablation of GRs in noradrenergic neurons affects functional properties of leukocytes and redirects them towards pro-inflammatory activity. Transgenic mice selectively devoid of GRs on noradrenergic cells were constructed using the Cre/loxP approach. Peritoneal leukocytes were collected from mutant and wild type (WT) animals of both sexes and were cultured in vitro for 24h both in basal conditions and after application of selected pro- or anti-inflammatory stimuli. Metabolic activity and adherence were measured in basal conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and arginase (ARG) activity were assessed as the markers of functional status of the cells. Because adult mutant mice lack adrenal medulla and thereby peripheral adrenaline, we modulated pro- and anti-inflammatory culture conditions by addition of noradrenaline (10-6M). Finally, effects of in vivo pro-inflammatory challenge (with intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide) on properties of leukocytes were assessed 24h (in both sexes) and 48h later (in males only). The experiments indicated that selective ablation of GR in noradrenergic neurons did not affect fundamental properties of peritoneal leukocytes and exerted effects only under conditions of selected pro- or anti-inflammatory stimuli in vitro. Stronger response to pro-inflammatory stimulation in terms of NO synthesis and ARG activity may suggest pro-inflammatory tendency in mutant mice. In vivo inflammatory challenge failed to show any effect of GR ablation on selected parameters of leukocyte activity. Both in vitro studies and in vivo challenge revealed mainly sex-related differences in leukocyte activity.
Collapse
|
27
|
Demas GE, Ashley NT. Introduction to the Special Issue on Neuroendocrine-Immune Interactions: Implications for Integrative and Comparative Physiologists. Horm Behav 2017; 88:1-3. [PMID: 28189151 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory E Demas
- Department of Biology, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Noah T Ashley
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
| |
Collapse
|