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Hodes GE, Bangasser D, Sotiropoulos I, Kokras N, Dalla C. Sex Differences in Stress Response: Classical Mechanisms and Beyond. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:475-494. [PMID: 37855285 PMCID: PMC10845083 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231005090134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders, which are associated with stress hormone dysregulation, occur at different rates in men and women. Moreover, nowadays, preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrates that sex and gender can lead to differences in stress responses that predispose males and females to different expressions of similar pathologies. In this curated review, we focus on what is known about sex differences in classic mechanisms of stress response, such as glucocorticoid hormones and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), which are components of the hypothalamicpituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis. Then, we present sex differences in neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin, dopamine, glutamate and GABA, as well as indices of neurodegeneration, such as amyloid β and Tau. Gonadal hormone effects, such as estrogens and testosterone, are also discussed throughout the review. We also review in detail preclinical data investigating sex differences caused by recentlyrecognized regulators of stress and disease, such as the immune system, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, as well neurosteroids. Finally, we discuss how understanding sex differences in stress responses, as well as in pharmacology, can be leveraged into novel, more efficacious therapeutics for all. Based on the supporting evidence, it is obvious that incorporating sex as a biological variable into preclinical research is imperative for the understanding and treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debra Bangasser
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications NCSR “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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2
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Saelzler UG, Verhaeghen P, Panizzon MS, Moffat SD. Intact circadian rhythm despite cortisol hypersecretion in Alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 132:105367. [PMID: 34340133 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hypersecretion of the glucocorticoid steroid hormone cortisol by individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been suspected for several decades, during which time dozens of examinations of this phenomenon have been conducted and published. The goals of this investigation were to summarize this sizeable body of literature, test whether participant and methodological characteristics modify the magnitude of the AD-associated basal cortisol hypersecretion, and examine whether cortisol circadian rhythmicity is maintained among individuals with AD. To this end, the present meta-analysis and systematic review examined over 300 comparisons of indices of basal HPA-axis functioning between individuals with AD and cognitively normal older adults. AD was associated with basal cortisol elevations (g = 0.45) but the magnitude of the effect was not systematically impacted by any of the participant characteristics considered or the time-of-day of the cortisol sampling. Further, there was no evidence of group differences among direct indices of circadian rhythmicity such as the cortisol awakening response or the diurnal cortisol slope. These results suggest that basal hypersecretion of cortisol, but not circadian dysrhythmia, is characteristic of individuals with AD. Mechanistically, the observed hypersecretion is consistent with the theorized AD-driven deterioration of the hippocampus and subsequent reduction in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis inhibition. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the role and timing of cortisol elevations in the progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula G Saelzler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Paul Verhaeghen
- Department of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 648 Cherry St. NW, Atlanta GA 30313, USA.
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Scott D Moffat
- Department of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 648 Cherry St. NW, Atlanta GA 30313, USA.
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3
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The Enigma of the Adrenarche: Identifying the Early Life Mechanisms and Possible Role in Postnatal Brain Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094296. [PMID: 33919014 PMCID: PMC8122518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite (DHEAS) are dynamically regulated before birth and the onset of puberty. Yet, the origins and purpose of increasing DHEA[S] in postnatal development remain elusive. Here, we draw attention to this pre-pubertal surge from the adrenal gland—the adrenarche—and discuss whether this is the result of intra-adrenal gene expression specifically affecting the zona reticularis (ZR), if the ZR is influenced by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and the possible role of spino-sympathetic innervation in prompting increased ZR activity. We also discuss whether neural DHEA[S] synthesis is coordinately regulated with the developing adrenal gland. We propose that DHEA[S] is crucial in the brain maturation of humans prior to and during puberty, and suggest that the function of the adrenarche is to modulate, adapt and rewire the pre-adolescent brain for new and ever-changing social challenges. The etiology of DHEA[S] synthesis, neurodevelopment and recently described 11-keto and 11-oxygenated androgens are difficult to investigate in humans owing to: (i) ethical restrictions on mechanistic studies, (ii) the inability to predict which individuals will develop specific mental characteristics, and (iii) the difficulty of conducting retrospective studies based on perinatal complications. We discuss new opportunities for animal studies to overcome these important issues.
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4
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Murphy KJ, Hodges TE, Sheppard PAS, Troyer AK, Hampson E, Galea LAM. Sex differences in cortisol and memory following acute social stress in amnestic mild cognitive impairment. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2020; 42:881-901. [PMID: 33023371 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2020.1825633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) develop Alzheimer's type dementia approximately 10 times faster annually than the normal population. Adrenal hormones are associated with aging and cognition. We investigated the relationship between acute stress, cortisol, and memory function in aMCI with an exploratory analysis of sex. METHOD Salivary cortisol was sampled diurnally and during two test sessions, one session with the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), to explore differences in the relationship between cortisol and memory function in age-normal cognition (NA) and aMCI. Participants with aMCI (n = 6 women, 9 men; mean age = 75) or similarly aged NA (n = 9 women, 7 men, mean age = 75) were given tests of episodic, associative, and spatial working memory with a psychosocial stressor (TSST) in the second session. RESULTS The aMCI group performed worse on the memory tests than NA as expected, and males with aMCI had elevated cortisol levels on test days. Immediate episodic memory was enhanced by social stress in NA but not in the aMCI group, indicating that stress-induced alterations in memory are different in individuals with aMCI. High cortisol was associated with impaired performance on episodic memory in aMCI males only. Cortisol in Session 1 moderated the relationship with spatial working memory, whereby higher cortisol was associated with worse performance in NA, but better spatial working memory in aMCI. In addition, effects of aMCI on perceived anxiety in response to stress exposure were moderated by stress-induced cortisol in a sex-specific manner. CONCLUSIONS We show effects of aMCI on Test Session cortisol levels and effects on perceived anxiety, and stress-induced impairments in memory in males with aMCI in our exploratory sample. Future studies should explore sex as a biological variable as our findings suggest that effects at the confluence of aMCI and stress can be obfuscated without sex as a consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J Murphy
- Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest , Toronto, ON, Canada.,Psychology Department, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Travis E Hodges
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul A S Sheppard
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Angela K Troyer
- Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest , Toronto, ON, Canada.,Psychology Department, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Liisa A M Galea
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, BC, Canada
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5
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Hayashi K, Gonzales TK, Kapoor A, Ziegler TE, Meethal SV, Atwood CS. Development of Classification Models for the Prediction of Alzheimer's Disease Utilizing Circulating Sex Hormone Ratios. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 76:1029-1046. [PMID: 32623397 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While sex hormones are essential for normal cognitive health, those individuals with greater endocrine dyscrasia around menopause and with andropause are more likely to develop cognitive loss and Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE To assess whether circulating sex hormones may provide an etiologically significant, surrogate biomarker, for cognitive decline. METHODS Plasma (n = 152) and serum (n = 107) samples from age- and gender-matched AD and control subjects from the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) were analyzed for 11 steroids and follicle-stimulating hormone. Logistic regression (LR), correlation analyses, and recursive partitioning (RP) were used to examine the interactions of hormones and hormone ratios and their association with AD. Models generated were then tested on an additional 43 ADRC samples. RESULTS The wide variation and substantial overlap in the concentrations of all circulating sex steroids across control and AD groups precluded their use for predicting AD. Classification tree analyses (RP) revealed interactions among single hormones and hormone ratios that associated with AD status, the most predictive including only the hormone ratios identified by LR. The strongest associations were observed between cortisol, cortisone, and androstenedione with AD, with contributions from progesterone and 17β-estradiol. Utilizing this model, we correctly predicted 81% of AD test cases and 64% of control test cases. CONCLUSION We have developed a diagnostic model for AD, the Wisconsin Hormone Algorithm Test for Cognition (WHAT-Cog), that utilizes classification tree analyses of hormone ratios. Further refinement of this technology could provide a quick and cheap diagnostic method for screening those with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Hayashi
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Tina K Gonzales
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amita Kapoor
- Assay Services Unit and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Core Laboratory, National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Toni E Ziegler
- Assay Services Unit and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Core Laboratory, National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sivan Vadakkadath Meethal
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Craig S Atwood
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.,School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
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6
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Toro CA, Zhang L, Cao J, Cai D. Sex differences in Alzheimer's disease: Understanding the molecular impact. Brain Res 2019; 1719:194-207. [PMID: 31129153 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that presents with cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbance. Approximately 5.5 million people in the United States live with AD, most of whom are over the age of 65 with two-thirds being woman. There have been major advancements over the last decade or so in the understanding of AD neuropathological changes and genetic involvement. However, studies of sex impact in AD have not been adequately integrated into the investigation of disease development and progression. It becomes indispensable to acknowledge in both basic science and clinical research studies the importance of understanding sex-specific differences in AD pathophysiology and pathogenesis, which could guide future effort in the discovery of novel targets for AD. Here, we review the latest and most relevant literature on this topic, highlighting the importance of understanding sex dimorphism from a molecular perspective and its association to clinical trial design and development in AD research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Toro
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States; Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - Larry Zhang
- Research and Development, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Jiqing Cao
- Research and Development, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - Dongming Cai
- Research and Development, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States; Neurology Section, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
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7
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Peña-Bautista C, Baquero M, Ferrer I, Hervás D, Vento M, García-Blanco A, Cháfer-Pericás C. Neuropsychological assessment and cortisol levels in biofluids from early Alzheimer's disease patients. Exp Gerontol 2019; 123:10-16. [PMID: 31117002 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cortisol dysregulation is proposed as a factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD patients can show high cortisol levels in prodromal phases of AD, early enough that neuropsychological alterations exist but activities of daily living remain unimpaired. Nevertheless, it is unknown if biofluid cortisol levels can have some AD predictive power together with neuropsychological assessment in prodromal stages in comparison with other cognitive disorders. In this work, an analytical method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was applied to determine the cortisol levels in different biofluids (urine, plasma, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid). Early AD patients and non-AD patients recruited at out-patient neurological unit were classified from the standard cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers levels (β-amyloid, tau, phosphorylated tau), and studied with an extensive neuropsychological assessment including global, neuropsychological, functional and affective scales. We used a logistic regression model to discriminate between the AD and non-AD groups. Higher plasma cortisol levels were found in the AD group than in the non-AD group (p < 0.001). Regarding neuropsychological evaluation, delayed memory was used as representative of the neuropsychological status, and lower scores were obtained in the AD group (p < 0.001). The prediction model, including plasma cortisol levels and delayed memory scores, achieved an AUC of 0.93, as well as a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 69.4%. In conclusion, plasma cortisol levels and delayed memory scores were specifically impaired in early AD, allowing the development of a new diagnostic model which could be employed as a very satisfactory screening system.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Peña-Bautista
- Neonatal Research Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Baquero
- Neurology Unit, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - I Ferrer
- Neurology Unit, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - D Hervás
- Biostatistical Unit Platform, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Vento
- Neonatal Research Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - A García-Blanco
- Neonatal Research Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | - C Cháfer-Pericás
- Neonatal Research Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
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8
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The internal link of serum steroid hormones levels in insomnia, depression, and Alzheimer's disease rats: Is there an effective way to distinguish among these three diseases based on potential biomarkers? J Sep Sci 2019; 42:1833-1841. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201801298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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9
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Pan X, Wu X, Kaminga AC, Wen SW, Liu A. Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:61. [PMID: 30983988 PMCID: PMC6449476 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Previous studies found inconsistent results for the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate previous studies' results on this relationship. Method: Studies related to this outcome were obtained using a systematic search from the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Psyc-ARTICLES in March 2018. The random-effects model was used to measure the strength of the association between Alzheimer's disease and the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, using the standardized mean difference. Results: Thirty-one eligible studies were included in the final analysis. There was no statistically significant association between the level of dehydroepiandrosterone and Alzheimer's disease (standardized mean difference: 0.51, 95% confidence interval: -0.44 to 1.45, Z = 1.06, p = 0.29). On the other hand, lower level dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease than in controls (standardized mean difference: -0.69, 95% confidence interval: -1.17 to -0.22, Z = -2.84, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations may be an important indicator for Alzheimer's disease, although whether dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate could be used as a diagnostic tool requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongfeng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinyin Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Atipatsa C Kaminga
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi
| | - Shi Wu Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Aizhong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
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10
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Ratner MH, Kumaresan V, Farb DH. Neurosteroid Actions in Memory and Neurologic/Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:169. [PMID: 31024441 PMCID: PMC6465949 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory dysfunction is a symptomatic feature of many neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders; however, the basic underlying mechanisms of memory and altered states of circuitry function associated with disorders of memory remain a vast unexplored territory. The initial discovery of endogenous neurosteroids triggered a quest to elucidate their role as neuromodulators in normal and diseased brain function. In this review, based on the perspective of our own research, the advances leading to the discovery of positive and negative neurosteroid allosteric modulators of GABA type-A (GABAA), NMDA, and non-NMDA type glutamate receptors are brought together in a historical and conceptual framework. We extend the analysis toward a state-of-the art view of how neurosteroid modulation of neural circuitry function may affect memory and memory deficits. By aggregating the results from multiple laboratories using both animal models for disease and human clinical research on neuropsychiatric and age-related neurodegenerative disorders, elements of a circuitry level view begins to emerge. Lastly, the effects of both endogenously active and exogenously administered neurosteroids on neural networks across the life span of women and men point to a possible underlying pharmacological connectome by which these neuromodulators might act to modulate memory across diverse altered states of mind.
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11
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You R, Ho YS, Hung CHL, Liu Y, Huang CX, Chan HN, Ho SL, Lui SY, Li HW, Chang RCC. Silica nanoparticles induce neurodegeneration-like changes in behavior, neuropathology, and affect synapse through MAPK activation. Part Fibre Toxicol 2018; 15:28. [PMID: 29970116 PMCID: PMC6029039 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-018-0263-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) are naturally enriched and broadly utilized in the manufacturing industry. While previous studies have demonstrated toxicity in neuronal cell lines after SiO2-NPs exposure, the role of SiO2-NPs in neurodegeneration is largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the effects of SiO2-NPs-exposure on behavior, neuropathology, and synapse in young adult mice and primary cortical neuron cultures. Results Male C57BL/6 N mice (3 months old) were exposed to either vehicle (sterile PBS) or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-tagged SiO2-NPs (NP) using intranasal instillation. Behavioral tests were performed after 1 and 2 months of exposure. We observed decreased social activity at both time points as well as anxiety and cognitive impairment after 2 months in the NP-exposed mice. NP deposition was primarily detected in the medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Neurodegeneration-like pathological changes, including reduced Nissl staining, increased tau phosphorylation, and neuroinflammation, were also present in the brains of NP-exposed mice. Furthermore, we observed NP-induced impairment in exocytosis along with decreased synapsin I and increased synaptophysin expression in the synaptosome fractions isolated from the frontal cortex as well as primary neuronal cultures. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were also activated in the frontal cortex of NP-exposed mice. Moreover, inhibition of ERK activation prevented NP-mediated changes in exocytosis in cultured neurons, highlighting a key role in the changes induced by NP exposure. Conclusions Intranasal instillation of SiO2-NPs results in mood dysfunction and cognitive impairment in young adult mice and causes neurodegeneration-like pathology and synaptic changes via ERK activation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12989-018-0263-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran You
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Present address: Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yuen-Shan Ho
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Clara Hiu-Ling Hung
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Chun-Xia Huang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Hei-Nga Chan
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - See-Lok Ho
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Sheung-Yeung Lui
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Hung-Wing Li
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,School of Biomedical Sciences, Rm. L4-49, Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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12
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Fisher DW, Bennett DA, Dong H. Sexual dimorphism in predisposition to Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 70:308-324. [PMID: 29754747 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Clinical studies indicate that Alzheimer's disease (AD) disproportionately affects women in both disease prevalence and rate of symptom progression, but the mechanisms underlying this sexual divergence are unknown. Although some have suggested this difference in risk is a reflection of the known differences in longevity between men and women, mounting clinical and preclinical evidence supports women also having intrinsic susceptibilities toward the disease. Although a number of potential risk factors have been hypothesized to mediate these differences, none have been definitively verified. In this review, we first summarize the epidemiologic studies of prevalence and incidence of AD among the sexes. Next, we discuss the most likely risk factors to date that interact with biological sex, including (1) genetic factors, (2) sex hormones (3) deviations in brain structure, (4) inflammation and microglia, and (5) and psychosocial stress responses. Overall, though differences in life span are likely to account for part of the divide between the sexes in AD prevalence, the abundance of preclinical and clinical evidence presented here suggests an increase in intrinsic AD risk for women. Therefore, future studies focusing on the underlying biological mechanisms for this phenomenon are needed to better understand AD pathogenesis in both sexes, with the eventual goal of sex-specific prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Fisher
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hongxin Dong
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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13
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Yan Y, Dominguez S, Fisher DW, Dong H. Sex differences in chronic stress responses and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 8:120-126. [PMID: 29888307 PMCID: PMC5991323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies indicate that Alzheimer's disease (AD) disproportionately affects women in both disease prevalence and severity, but the mechanisms underlying this sex divergence are unknown. Though some have suggested this difference in risk is a reflection of known differences in longevity between men and women, mounting clinical and preclinical evidence supports women also having intrinsic susceptibilities towards the disease. While a number of potential risk factors have been hypothesized to affect these differences in risks, none have been definitively verified. In this review, we discuss a novel hypothesis whereby women's susceptibility to chronic stress also mediates increased risk for AD. As stress is a risk factor for AD, and women are twice as likely to develop mood disorders where stress is a major etiology, it is possible that sex dimorphisms in stress responses contribute to the increase in women with AD. In line with this, sex divergence in biochemical responses to stress have been noted along the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and among known molecular effectors of AD, with crosstalk between these processes also being likely. In addition, activation of the cortical corticotrophin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) signaling pathway leads to distinct female-biased increases in molecules associated with AD pathogenesis. Therefore, the different biochemical responses to stress between women and men may represent an intrinsic, sex-dependent risk factor for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Physiology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563099, China
| | - Sky Dominguez
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Daniel W. Fisher
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hongxin Dong
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Physiology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou 563099, China
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Johansson P, Almqvist EG, Wallin A, Johansson JO, Andreasson U, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Svensson J. Reduced cerebrospinal fluid concentration of interleukin-12/23 subunit p40 in patients with cognitive impairment. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176760. [PMID: 28464009 PMCID: PMC5413050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other cognitive disorders is unclear. In a well-defined mono-center population, we measured cytokines and chemokines in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Methods Consecutive patients with AD (n = 30), stable mild cognitive impairment (SMCI, n = 11), other dementias (n = 11), and healthy controls (n = 18) were included. None of the subjects was treated with glucocorticoids, cholinesterase inhibitors, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Serum and CSF concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-12/23 p40, IL-15, IL-16, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and three chemokines were measured using a multiplex panel. Results After correction for multiple comparisons, only CSF IL-12/23 p40 concentration differed significantly between the total patient group (n = 52) and controls (n = 18; p = 0.002). Further analyses showed that CSF IL-12/23 p40 concentration was decreased in all patient subgroups (AD, other dementias, and SMCI) compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). In the total study population (n = 70), CSF IL-12/23 p40 concentrations correlated positively with CSF concentrations of β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ1–42) and phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) whereas in AD patients (n = 30), CSF IL-12/23 p40 only correlated positively with CSF P-Tau (r = 0.46, p = 0.01). Conclusions Most cytokines and chemokines were similar in patients and controls, but CSF IL-12/23 subunit p40 concentration was decreased in patients with cognitive impairment, and correlated with markers of AD disease status. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of CSF IL-12/23 p40 in other dementias and SMCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Johansson
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Skaraborg Central Hospital, Falköping, Sweden
- Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Erik G. Almqvist
- Department of Endocrinology, Skaraborg Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Anders Wallin
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Jan-Ove Johansson
- Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulf Andreasson
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johan Svensson
- Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Skaraborg Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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15
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Monje FJ, Cicvaric A, Acevedo Aguilar JP, Elbau I, Horvath O, Diao W, Glat M, Pollak DD. Disrupted Ultradian Activity Rhythms and Differential Expression of Several Clock Genes in Interleukin-6-Deficient Mice. Front Neurol 2017; 8:99. [PMID: 28382017 PMCID: PMC5360714 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The characteristics of the cycles of activity and rest stand out among the most intensively investigated aspects of circadian rhythmicity in humans and experimental animals. Alterations in the circadian patterns of activity and rest are strongly linked to cognitive and emotional dysfunctions in severe mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and major depression (MDD). The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been prominently associated with the pathogenesis of AD and MDD. However, the potential involvement of IL-6 in the modulation of the diurnal rhythms of activity and rest has not been investigated. Here, we set out to study the role of IL-6 in circadian rhythmicity through the characterization of patterns of behavioral locomotor activity in IL-6 knockout (IL-6 KO) mice and wild-type littermate controls. Deletion of IL-6 did not alter the length of the circadian period or the amount of locomotor activity under either light-entrained or free-running conditions. IL-6 KO mice also presented a normal phase shift in response to light exposure at night. However, the temporal architecture of the behavioral rhythmicity throughout the day, as characterized by the quantity of ultradian activity bouts, was significantly impaired under light-entrained and free-running conditions in IL-6 KO. Moreover, the assessment of clock gene expression in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in AD and depression, revealed altered levels of cry1, dec2, and rev-erb-beta in IL-6 KO mice. These data propose that IL-6 participates in the regulation of ultradian activity/rest rhythmicity and clock gene expression in the mammalian brain. Furthermore, we propose IL-6-dependent circadian misalignment as a common pathogenetic principle in some neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Monje
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Ana Cicvaric
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Juan Pablo Acevedo Aguilar
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Immanuel Elbau
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Orsolya Horvath
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Weifei Diao
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Micaela Glat
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
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16
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Lambert WS, Carlson BJ, Formichella CR, Sappington RM, Ahlem C, Calkins DJ. Oral Delivery of a Synthetic Sterol Reduces Axonopathy and Inflammation in a Rodent Model of Glaucoma. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:45. [PMID: 28223915 PMCID: PMC5293777 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies associated with aging and sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP). The disease is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Early progression in glaucoma involves dysfunction of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons, which comprise the optic nerve. Deficits in anterograde transport along RGC axons to central visual structures precede outright degeneration, and preventing these deficits is efficacious at abating subsequent progression. HE3286 is a synthetic sterol derivative that has shown therapeutic promise in models of inflammatory disease and neurodegenerative disease. We examined the efficacy of HE3286 oral delivery in preventing loss of anterograde transport in an inducible model of glaucoma (microbead occlusion). Adult rats received HE3286 (20 or 100 mg/kg) or vehicle daily via oral gavage for 4 weeks. Microbead occlusion elevated IOP ~30% in all treatment groups, and elevation was not affected by HE3286 treatment. In the vehicle group, elevated IOP reduced anterograde axonal transport to the superior colliculus, the most distal site in the optic projection, by 43% (p = 0.003); HE3286 (100 mg/kg) prevented this reduction (p = 0.025). HE3286 increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the optic nerve head and retina, while decreasing inflammatory and pathogenic proteins associated with elevated IOP compared to vehicle treatment. Treatment with HE3286 also increased nuclear localization of the transcription factor NFκB in collicular and retinal neurons, but decreased NFκB in glial nuclei in the optic nerve head. Thus, HE3286 may have a neuroprotective influence in glaucoma, as well as other chronic neurodegenerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendi S Lambert
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, The Vanderbilt Eye Institute Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Brian J Carlson
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, The Vanderbilt Eye Institute Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Cathryn R Formichella
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, The Vanderbilt Eye Institute Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rebecca M Sappington
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, The Vanderbilt Eye Institute Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - David J Calkins
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, The Vanderbilt Eye Institute Nashville, TN, USA
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17
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Craddock TJA, Del Rosario RR, Rice M, Zysman JP, Fletcher MA, Klimas NG, Broderick G. Achieving Remission in Gulf War Illness: A Simulation-Based Approach to Treatment Design. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132774. [PMID: 26192591 PMCID: PMC4508058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multi-symptom disorder affecting up to one-third of the 700,000 returning veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and for which there is no known cure. GWI symptoms span several of the body’s principal regulatory systems and include debilitating fatigue, severe musculoskeletal pain, cognitive and neurological problems. Using computational models, our group reported previously that GWI might be perpetuated at least in part by natural homeostatic regulation of the neuroendocrine-immune network. In this work, we attempt to harness these regulatory dynamics to identify treatment courses that might produce lasting remission. Towards this we apply a combinatorial optimization scheme to the Monte Carlo simulation of a discrete ternary logic model that represents combined hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), gonadal (HPG), and immune system regulation in males. In this work we found that no single intervention target allowed a robust return to normal homeostatic control. All combined interventions leading to a predicted remission involved an initial inhibition of Th1 inflammatory cytokines (Th1Cyt) followed by a subsequent inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor function (GR). These first two intervention events alone ended in stable and lasting return to the normal regulatory control in 40% of the simulated cases. Applying a second cycle of this combined treatment improved this predicted remission rate to 2 out of 3 simulated subjects (63%). These results suggest that in a complex illness such as GWI, a multi-tiered intervention strategy that formally accounts for regulatory dynamics may be required to reset neuroendocrine-immune homeostasis and support extended remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis J. A. Craddock
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- Graduate School for Computer and Information Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ryan R. Del Rosario
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
| | - Mark Rice
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
| | - Joel P. Zysman
- Center for Computational Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Mary Ann Fletcher
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
| | - Nancy G. Klimas
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Gordon Broderick
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, United States of America
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18
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Du X, Pang TY. Is Dysregulation of the HPA-Axis a Core Pathophysiology Mediating Co-Morbid Depression in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:32. [PMID: 25806005 PMCID: PMC4353372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of prodromal manifestation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). These affective symptoms may be observed many years before the core diagnostic symptoms of the neurological condition. It is becoming more apparent that depression is a significant modifying factor of the trajectory of disease progression and even treatment outcomes. It is therefore crucial that we understand the potential pathophysiologies related to the primary condition, which could contribute to the development of depression. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis is a key neuroendocrine signaling system involved in physiological homeostasis and stress response. Disturbances of this system lead to severe hormonal imbalances, and the majority of such patients also present with behavioral deficits and/or mood disorders. Dysregulation of the HPA-axis is also strongly implicated in the pathology of major depressive disorder. Consistent with this, antidepressant drugs, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to alter HPA-axis activity. In this review, we will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding HPA-axis pathology in Alzheimer's, PD and HD, differentiating between prodromal and later stages of disease progression when evidence is available. Both clinical and preclinical evidence will be examined, but we highlight animal model studies as being particularly useful for uncovering novel mechanisms of pathology related to co-morbid mood disorders. Finally, we purpose utilizing the preclinical evidence to better inform prospective, intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Du
- Mental Health Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Terence Y Pang
- Behavioural Neurosciences Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
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19
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Huang BR, Chang PC, Yeh WL, Lee CH, Tsai CF, Lin C, Lin HY, Liu YS, Wu CYJ, Ko PY, Huang SS, Hsu HC, Lu DY. Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the calcium channel blocker nicardipine on microglial cells: implications for neuroprotection. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91167. [PMID: 24621589 PMCID: PMC3951295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Nicardipine is a calcium channel blocker that has been widely used to control blood pressure in severe hypertension following events such as ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and intracerebral hemorrhage. However, accumulating evidence suggests that inflammatory processes in the central nervous system that are mediated by microglial activation play important roles in neurodegeneration, and the effect of nicardipine on microglial activation remains unresolved. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present study, using murine BV-2 microglia, we demonstrated that nicardipine significantly inhibits microglia-related neuroinflammatory responses. Treatment with nicardipine inhibited microglial cell migration. Nicardipine also significantly inhibited LPS plus IFN-γ-induced release of nitric oxide (NO), and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, nicardipine also inhibited microglial activation by peptidoglycan, the major component of the Gram-positive bacterium cell wall. Notably, nicardipine also showed significant anti-neuroinflammatory effects on microglial activation in mice in vivo. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE The present study is the first to report a novel inhibitory role of nicardipine on neuroinflammation and provides a new candidate agent for the development of therapies for inflammation-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor-Ren Huang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Neurosurgery Department, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chun Chang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lan Yeh
- Department of Cell and Tissue Engineering, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Lee
- Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America
| | - Cheng-Fang Tsai
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chingju Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Yun Lin
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shu Liu
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Caren Yu-Ju Wu
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ying Ko
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shiang-Suo Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Chaung Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Dah-Yuu Lu
- Graduate Institute of Neural and Cognitive Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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