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Achiro JM, Tao Y, Gao F, Lin CH, Watanabe M, Neumann S, Coppola G, Black DL, Martin KC. Aging differentially alters the transcriptome and landscape of chromatin accessibility in the male and female mouse hippocampus. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1334862. [PMID: 38318533 PMCID: PMC10839115 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1334862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging-related memory impairment and pathological memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease differ between males and females, and yet little is known about how aging-related changes in the transcriptome and chromatin environment differ between sexes in the hippocampus. To investigate this question, we compared the chromatin accessibility landscape and gene expression/alternative splicing pattern of young adult and aged mouse hippocampus in both males and females using ATAC-seq and RNA-seq. We detected significant aging-dependent changes in the expression of genes involved in immune response and synaptic function and aging-dependent changes in the alternative splicing of myelin sheath genes. We found significant sex-bias in the expression and alternative splicing of hundreds of genes, including aging-dependent female-biased expression of myelin sheath genes and aging-dependent male-biased expression of genes involved in synaptic function. Aging was associated with increased chromatin accessibility in both male and female hippocampus, especially in repetitive elements, and with an increase in LINE-1 transcription. We detected significant sex-bias in chromatin accessibility in both autosomes and the X chromosome, with male-biased accessibility enriched at promoters and CpG-rich regions. Sex differences in gene expression and chromatin accessibility were amplified with aging, findings that may shed light on sex differences in aging-related and pathological memory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Achiro
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yang Tao
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Fuying Gao
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Chia-Ho Lin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marika Watanabe
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sylvia Neumann
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Douglas L. Black
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kelsey C. Martin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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2
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Amaya JM, Sips HCM, Viho EMG, Kroon J, Meijer OC. Restricted effects of androgens on glucocorticoid signaling in the mouse prefrontal cortex and midbrain. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1292024. [PMID: 38303978 PMCID: PMC10830692 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1292024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are key executors of the physiological response to stress. Previous studies in mice showed that the androgen receptor (AR) influenced the transcriptional outcome of glucocorticoid treatment in white and brown adipocytes and in the liver. In the brain, we observed that chronic hypercorticism induced changes in gene expression that tended to be more pronounced in male mice. In the present study, we investigated if glucocorticoid signaling in the brain could be modulated by androgen. After chronic treatment with corticosterone, dihydrotestosterone, a combination of both, and corticosterone in combination with the AR antagonist enzalutamide, we compared the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1, also abbreviated GR) target genes in brain regions where AR and GR are co-expressed, namely: prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. We observed that androgen affected glucocorticoid signaling only in the prefrontal cortex and the substantia nigra. Dihydrotestosterone and corticosterone independently and inversely regulated expression of Sgk1 and Tsc22d3 in prefrontal cortex. AR antagonism with enzalutamide attenuated corticosterone-induced expression of Fkbp5 in the prefrontal cortex and of Fkbp5 and Sgk1 in the substantia nigra. Additionally, in the substantia nigra, AR antagonism increased expression of Th and Slc18a1, two genes coding for key components of the dopaminergic system. Our data indicate that androgen influence over glucocorticoid stimulation in the brain is not a dominant phenomenon in the context of high corticosterone levels, but can occur in the prefrontal cortex and substantia nigra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Miguel Amaya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hetty C. M. Sips
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eva M. G. Viho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Onno C. Meijer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Seib DR, Tobiansky DJ, Meitzen J, Floresco SB, Soma KK. Neurosteroids and the mesocorticolimbic system. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105356. [PMID: 37567491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105356] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The mesocorticolimbic system coordinates executive functions, such as working memory and behavioral flexibility. This circuit includes dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. In this review, we summarize evidence that cells in multiple nodes of the mesocorticolimbic system produce neurosteroids (steroids synthesized in the nervous system) and express steroid receptors. Here, we focus on neuroandrogens (androgens synthesized in the nervous system), neuroestrogens (estrogens synthesized in the nervous system), and androgen and estrogen receptors. We also summarize how (neuro)androgens and (neuro)estrogens affect dopamine signaling in the mesocorticolimbic system and regulate executive functions. Taken together, the data suggest that steroids produced in the gonads and locally in the brain modulate higher-order cognition and executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée R Seib
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Zhang KY, Li CN, Zhang NX, Gao XC, Shen JM, Cheng DD, Wang YL, Zhang H, Lv JW, Sun JM. UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-Based Cell Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Mechanism of N-Benzylhexadecanamide Isolated from Maca ( Lepidium meyenii Walp.) against Testicular Dysfunction. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104064. [PMID: 37241805 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104064] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular dysfunction (TDF) is characterized by testosterone deficiency and is caused by oxidative stress injury in Leydig cells. A natural fatty amide named N-benzylhexadecanamide (NBH), derived from cruciferous maca, has been shown to promote testosterone production. Our study aims to reveal the anti-TDF effect of NBH and explore its potential mechanism in vitro. This study examined the effects of H2O2 on cell viability and testosterone levels in mouse Leydig cells (TM3) under oxidative stress. In addition, cell metabolomics analysis based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS showed that NBH was mainly involved in arginine biosynthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, the TCA cycle and other metabolic pathways by affecting 23 differential metabolites, including arginine and phenylalanine. Furthermore, we also performed network pharmacological analysis to observe the key protein targets in NBH treatment. The results showed that its role was to up-regulate ALOX5, down-regulate CYP1A2, and play a role in promoting testicular activity by participating in the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway. In summary, our study not only provides new insights into the biochemical mechanisms of natural compounds in the treatment of TDF, but also provides a research strategy that integrates cell metabolomics and network pharmacology in order to promote the screening of new drugs for the treatment of TDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yue Zhang
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Chun-Nan Li
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Nan-Xi Zhang
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Gao
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Jia-Ming Shen
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Duan-Duan Cheng
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Yue-Long Wang
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Jing-Wei Lv
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Jia-Ming Sun
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130117, China
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Tomm RJ, Seib DR, Kachkovski GV, Schweitzer HR, Tobiansky DJ, Floresco SB, Soma KK. Androgen synthesis inhibition increases behavioural flexibility and mPFC tyrosine hydroxylase in gonadectomized male rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13128. [PMID: 35583989 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural flexibility is essential to adapt to a changing environment and depends on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Testosterone administration decreases behavioural flexibility. It is well known that testosterone is produced in the gonads, but testosterone is also produced in the brain, including the mPFC and other nodes of the mesocorticolimbic system. It is unclear how testosterone produced in the brain versus the gonads influences behavioural flexibility. Here, in adult male rats, we assessed the effects of the androgen synthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate (ABI) and long-term gonadectomy (GDX) on behavioural flexibility in two paradigms. In Experiment 1, ABI but not GDX reduced the number of errors to criterion and perseverative errors in a strategy set-shifting task. In Experiment 2, with a separate cohort of rats, ABI but not GDX reduced perseverative errors in a reversal learning task. In Experiment 1, we also examined tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH-ir), and ABI but not GDX increased TH-ir in the mPFC. Our findings suggest that neurally-produced androgens modulate behavioural flexibility via modification of dopamine signalling in the mesocorticolimbic system. These results indicate that neurosteroids regulate executive functions and that ABI treatment for prostate cancer might affect cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Tomm
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Désirée R Seib
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - George V Kachkovski
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Helen R Schweitzer
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Sharp JL, Pearson T, Smith MA. Sex differences in opioid receptor mediated effects: Role of androgens. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 134:104522. [PMID: 34995646 PMCID: PMC8872632 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
An abundance of data indicates there are sex differences in endogenous opioid peptides and opioid receptors, leading to functional differences in sensitivity to opioid receptor mediated behaviors between males and females. Many of these sex differences are mediated by the effects of gonadal hormones on the endogenous opioid system. Whereas much research has examined the role of ovarian hormones on opioid receptor mediated endpoints, comparatively less research has examined the role of androgens. This review describes what is currently known regarding the influence of androgens on opioid receptor mediated endpoints and how androgens may contribute to sex differences in these effects. The review also addresses the clinical implications of androgenic modulation of opioid receptor mediated behaviors and suggests future lines of research for preclinical and clinical investigators. We conclude that further investigation into androgenic modulation of opioid receptor mediated effects may lead to new options for addressing conditions such as chronic pain and substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Sharp
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, United States
| | - Tallia Pearson
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, United States
| | - Mark A Smith
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, United States.
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Lan S, Duan J, Zeng N, Yu B, Yang X, Ning H, Huang Y, Rao Y. Network pharmacology-based screening of the active ingredients and mechanisms of Huangqi against aging. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25660. [PMID: 33907130 PMCID: PMC8084007 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Studies have shown that Huangqi (HQ) has anti-aging efficacy. However, its active ingredients and mechanisms for anti-aging are still unclear. In this study, we will systematically screen the active ingredients of HQ and explore the possible mechanism of HQ in prevention from aging through network pharmacology technology.The main active ingredients of HQ were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The possible targets were predicted by TCMSP. The related targets for aging were obtained from GeneCards (The Human Gene Database) and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. The common targets of HQ and aging were obtained using R 3.6.3 software. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and the ingredient-target-disease network were constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software for visualization. In addition, the Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation of potential targets were performed using R 3.6.3 software.Based on the screening conditions, 16 active ingredients and 28 drug targets were obtained. The PPI network contained 29 proteins, including PTGS2, AR, NOS2, and so on. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 40 GO items (P < .05). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 110 aging related pathways (P < .05), including hypoxia inducible factor 1 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complication, among others.Sixteen effective ingredients of HQ and 28 targets against aging were identified through network pharmacology. Multiple pathways were involved in the effect of HQ on preventing aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Lan
- Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang
| | - Jie Duan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pidu District People's Hospital
| | - Nan Zeng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang
| | - Xuping Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hong Ning
- Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang
| | - Yilan Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Youyi Rao
- Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang
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Improvement of testosterone deficiency by fermented Momordica charantia extracts in aging male rats. Food Sci Biotechnol 2021; 30:443-454. [PMID: 33868755 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-020-00872-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the efficacy of Momordica charantia (MC; bitter melon) extracts against andropause symptoms. We fermented MC with Lactobacillus plantarum and verified the ability of the fermented MC extracts (FMEs) to control testosterone deficiency by using aging male rats as an animal model of andropause. FME administration considerably increased total and free testosterone levels, muscle mass, forced swimming time, and total and motile sperm counts in aging male rats. In contrast, sex hormone-binding globulin, retroperitoneal fat, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in the treated groups compared to the non-treated control aging male rats. Furthermore, we observed that FME enhanced the expression of testosterone biosynthesis-related genes but reduced the expression of testosterone degradation-related genes in a mouse Leydig cell line. These results suggest that FME has effective pharmacological activities that increase and restore free testosterone levels and that FME may be employed as a promising natural product for alleviating testosterone deficiency syndrome. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-020-00872-x.
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