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Sapienza J, Martini F, Comai S, Cavallaro R, Spangaro M, De Gregorio D, Bosia M. Psychedelics and schizophrenia: a double-edged sword. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02743-x. [PMID: 39294303 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02743-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelics have shown promising effects in several psychiatric diseases as demonstrated by multiple clinical trials. However, no clinical experiments on patients with schizophrenia have been conducted up to date, except for some old semi-anecdotal studies mainly performed in the time-span '50s-'60s. Notably, these studies reported interesting findings, particularly on the improvement of negative symptoms and social cognition. With no doubts the lack of modern clinical studies is due to the psychomimetic properties of psychedelics, a noteworthy downside that could worsen positive symptoms. However, a rapidly increasing body of evidence has suggested that the mechanisms of action of such compounds partially overlaps with the pathogenic underpinnings of schizophrenia but in an opposite way. These findings suggest that, despite being a controversial issue, the use of psychedelics in the treatment of schizophrenia would be based on a strong biological rationale. Therefore, the aim of our perspective paper is to provide a background on the old experiments with psychedelics performed on patients with schizophrenia, interpreting them in the light of recent molecular findings on their ability to induce neuroplasticity and modulate connectivity, the immune and TAARs systems, neurotransmitters, and neurotropic factors. No systematic approach was adopted in reviewing the evidence given the difficulty to retrieve and interpret old findings. Interestingly, we identified a therapeutic potential of psychedelics in schizophrenia adopting a critical point of view, particularly on negative symptoms and social cognition, and we summarized all the relevant findings. We also identified an eligible subpopulation of chronic patients predominantly burdened by negative symptoms, outlining possible therapeutic strategies which encompass very low doses of psychedelics (microdosing), carefully considering safety and feasibility, to pave the way to future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sapienza
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Humanities and Life Sciences, University School for Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Comai
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Cavallaro
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Danilo De Gregorio
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Bosia
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Martins D, Abbasi M, Egas C, Arrais JP. Enhancing schizophrenia phenotype prediction from genotype data through knowledge-driven deep neural network models. Genomics 2024; 116:110910. [PMID: 39111546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
This article explores deep learning model design, drawing inspiration from the omnigenic model and genetic heterogeneity concepts, to improve schizophrenia prediction using genotype data. It introduces an innovative three-step approach leveraging neural networks' capabilities to efficiently handle genetic interactions. A locally connected network initially routes input data from variants to their corresponding genes. The second step employs an Encoder-Decoder to capture relationships among identified genes. The final model integrates knowledge from the first two and incorporates a parallel component to consider the effects of additional genes. This expansion enhances prediction scores by considering a larger number of genes. Trained models achieved an average AUC of 0.83, surpassing other genotype-trained models and matching gene expression dataset-based approaches. Additionally, tests on held-out sets reported an average sensitivity of 0.72 and an accuracy of 0.76, aligning with schizophrenia heritability predictions. Moreover, the study addresses genetic heterogeneity challenges by considering diverse population subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Martins
- Centre for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra, Department of Informatics Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maryam Abbasi
- Centre for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra, Department of Informatics Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Applied Research Institute, Coimbra, Portugal; Research Centre for Natural Resources Environment and Society (CERNAS), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Conceição Egas
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Biocant - Transfer Technology Association, Cantanhede, Portugal; CNC - CNC Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joel P Arrais
- Centre for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra, Department of Informatics Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Weller AE, Ferraro TN, Doyle GA, Reiner BC, Berrettini WH, Crist RC. Analysis of single-cell transcriptome data from a mouse model implicates protein synthesis dysfunction in schizophrenia. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:1071-1084. [PMID: 39083157 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01545-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes considerable morbidity, whose risk largely results from genetic factors. Setd1a is a gene implicated in schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE To study the gene expression changes found in heterozygous Setd1a± knockout mice in order to gain useful insight into schizophrenia pathogenesis. METHODS We mined a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) dataset from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum of Setd1a± mice and identified cell type-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential transcript usage (DTU). DEGs and genes containing DTU found in each cell type were used to identify affected biological pathways using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). RESULTS We identified 273 unique DEGs across all cell types in PFC and 675 unique gene peaks containing DTU. In striatum, we identified 327 unique DEGs across all cell types and 8 unique gene peaks containing DTU. Key IPA findings from the analysis of DEGs found in PFC and striatum implicate processes involved in protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, cell metabolism, and inflammation. IPA analysis of genes containing DTU in PFC points to protein synthesis, as well as cellular activities involving intracellular signaling and neurotransmission. One canonical pathway, 'EIF2 Signaling', which is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis, was detected in PFC DEGs, striatum DEGs, and PFC genes containing DTU, drawing attention to its importance in schizophrenia pathophysiology. CONCLUSION Processes involving protein synthesis in general and the 'EIF2 Signaling' pathway in particular could be targets for the development of new research strategies and biomarkers in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Weller
- Molecular and Neural Basis of Psychiatric Disease Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 S. 31 St., Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US.
| | - Thomas N Ferraro
- Molecular and Neural Basis of Psychiatric Disease Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 S. 31 St., Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 08103, US
| | - Glenn A Doyle
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, US
| | - Benjamin C Reiner
- Molecular and Neural Basis of Psychiatric Disease Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 S. 31 St., Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US
| | - Wade H Berrettini
- Molecular and Neural Basis of Psychiatric Disease Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 S. 31 St., Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US
| | - Richard C Crist
- Molecular and Neural Basis of Psychiatric Disease Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 S. 31 St., Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US
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Ji J, Chao H, Chen H, Liao J, Shi W, Ye Y, Wang T, You Y, Liu N, Ji J, Petretto E. Decoding frontotemporal and cell-type-specific vulnerabilities to neuropsychiatric disorders and psychoactive drugs. Open Biol 2024; 14:240063. [PMID: 38864245 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.240063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobe abnormalities are linked to neuropsychiatric disorders and cognition, but the role of cellular heterogeneity between temporal lobe (TL) and frontal lobe (FL) in the vulnerability to genetic risk factors remains to be elucidated. We integrated single-nucleus transcriptome analysis in 'fresh' human FL and TL with genetic susceptibility, gene dysregulation in neuropsychiatric disease and psychoactive drug response data. We show how intrinsic differences between TL and FL contribute to the vulnerability of specific cell types to both genetic risk factors and psychoactive drugs. Neuronal populations, specifically PVALB neurons, were most highly vulnerable to genetic risk factors for psychiatric disease. These psychiatric disease-associated genes were mostly upregulated in the TL, and dysregulated in the brain of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Among these genes, GRIN2A and SLC12A5, implicated in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, were significantly upregulated in TL PVALB neurons and in psychiatric disease patients' brain. PVALB neurons from the TL were twofold more vulnerable to psychoactive drugs than to genetic risk factors, showing the influence and specificity of frontotemporal lobe differences on cell vulnerabilities. These studies provide a cell type resolved map of the impact of brain regional differences on cell type vulnerabilities in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatong Ji
- Institute for Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University (CPU), Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Honglu Chao
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimei Chen
- Institute for Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University (CPU), Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, People's Republic of China
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Jun Liao
- High Performance Computing Center, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University (CPU), Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqian Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangfan Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongping You
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Xinjiang, Artux 845350, People's Republic of China
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Enrico Petretto
- Institute for Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University (CPU), Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, People's Republic of China
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
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Peeters LD, Wills LJ, Cuozzo AM, Ivanich KL, Turney SE, Bullock LP, Price RM, Gass JT, Brown RW. Modulation of mGlu5 reduces rewarding associative properties of nicotine via changes in mesolimbic plasticity: Relevance to comorbid cigarette smoking in psychosis. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 239:173752. [PMID: 38521210 PMCID: PMC11088493 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Antipsychotic medications that are used to treat psychosis are often limited in their efficacy by high rates of severe side effects. Treatment success in schizophrenia is further complicated by high rates of comorbid nicotine use. Dopamine D2 heteroreceptor complexes have recently emerged as targets for the development of more efficacious pharmaceutical treatments for schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE The current study sought to explore the use of the positive allosteric modulator of the mGlu5 receptor 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB) as a treatment to reduce symptoms related to psychosis and comorbid nicotine use. METHODS Neonatal treatment of animals with the dopamine D2-like receptor agonist quinpirole (NQ) from postnatal day (P)1-21 produces a lifelong increase in D2 receptor sensitivity, showing relevance to psychosis and comorbid tobacco use disorder. Following an 8-day conditioning paradigm, brain tissue in the mesolimbic pathway was analyzed for several plasticity markers, including brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylated p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (phospho-p70S6K), and cadherin-13 (Cdh13). RESULTS Pretreatment with CDPPB was effective to block enhanced nicotine conditioned place preference observed in NQ-treated animals. Pretreatment was additionally effective to block the nicotine-induced increase in BDNF and sex-dependent increases in cadherin-13 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), as well as increased phospho-p70S6K in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) shell found in NQ-treated animals. CONCLUSION In conjunction with prior work, the current study suggests positive allosteric modulation of the mGlu5 receptor, an emerging target for schizophrenia therapeutics, may be effective for the treatment of comorbid nicotine abuse in psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren D Peeters
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Liza J Wills
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Anthony M Cuozzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Kira L Ivanich
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Seth E Turney
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Luke P Bullock
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Robert M Price
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Justin T Gass
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America
| | - Russell W Brown
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States of America.
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Wang Y, Engel T, Teng X. Post-translational regulation of the mTORC1 pathway: A switch that regulates metabolism-related gene expression. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195005. [PMID: 38242428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a kinase complex that plays a crucial role in coordinating cell growth in response to various signals, including amino acids, growth factors, oxygen, and ATP. Activation of mTORC1 promotes cell growth and anabolism, while its suppression leads to catabolism and inhibition of cell growth, enabling cells to withstand nutrient scarcity and stress. Dysregulation of mTORC1 activity is associated with numerous diseases, such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. This review focuses on how post-translational modifications, particularly phosphorylation and ubiquitination, modulate mTORC1 signaling pathway and their consequential implications for pathogenesis. Understanding the impact of phosphorylation and ubiquitination on the mTORC1 signaling pathway provides valuable insights into the regulation of cellular growth and potential therapeutic targets for related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Tobias Engel
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland; FutureNeuro, SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Xinchen Teng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
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Chen Y, Guan W, Wang ML, Lin XY. PI3K-AKT/mTOR Signaling in Psychiatric Disorders: A Valuable Target to Stimulate or Suppress? Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 27:pyae010. [PMID: 38365306 PMCID: PMC10888523 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Economic development and increased stress have considerably increased the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in recent years, which rank as some of the most prevalent diseases globally. Several factors, including chronic social stress, genetic inheritance, and autogenous diseases, lead to the development and progression of psychiatric disorders. Clinical treatments for psychiatric disorders include psychotherapy, chemotherapy, and electric shock therapy. Although various achievements have been made researching psychiatric disorders, the pathogenesis of these diseases has not been fully understood yet, and serious adverse effects and resistance to antipsychotics are major obstacles to treating patients with psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have shown that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central signaling hub that functions in nerve growth, synapse formation, and plasticity. The PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway is a critical target for mediating the rapid antidepressant effects of these pharmacological agents in clinical and preclinical research. Abnormal PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling is closely associated with the pathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we focused on the role of mTOR signaling and the related aberrant neurogenesis in psychiatric disorders. Elucidating the neurobiology of the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in psychiatric disorders and its actions in response to antidepressants will help us better understand brain development and quickly identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of these mental illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mei-Lan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Lin
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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Han S, Li Y, Gao J. Peripheral blood MicroRNAs as biomarkers of schizophrenia: expectations from a meta-analysis that combines deep learning methods. World J Biol Psychiatry 2024; 25:65-81. [PMID: 37703215 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2023.2258975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed at identifying reliable differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) for schizophrenia in blood via meta-analyses combined with deep learning methods. METHODS First, we meta-analysed published DEMs. Then, we enriched the pool of schizophrenia-associated miRNAs by applying two computational learning methods to identify candidate biomarkers and verified the results in external datasets. RESULTS In total, 27 DEMs were found to be statistically significant (p < .05). Ten candidate schizophrenia-associated miRNAs were identified through computational learning methods. The diagnostic efficiency was verified on a blood-miRNA dataset (GSE54578) with a random forest (RF) model and achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 ± 0.14. Moreover, 855 experimentally validated target genes for these candidate miRNAs were retrieved, and 11 hub genes were identified. Enrichment analysis revealed that the main functions in which the target genes were enriched were those related to cell signalling, prenatal infections, cancers, cell deaths, oxidative stress, endocrine disorders, transcription regulation, and kinase activities. The diagnostic ability of the hub genes was reflected in a comparably good average AUC of 0.77 ± 0.09 for an external dataset (GSE38484). CONCLUSIONS A meta-analysis that combines computational and mathematical methods provides a reliable tool for identifying candidate biomarkers of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyuan Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongning Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of International Medical Service, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Xu Z, Yan Y, Gu B, Cai W, Wang Y. Up-Regulation of microRNA-424 Causes an Imbalance in AKT Phosphorylation and Impairs Enteric Neural Crest Cell Migration in Hirschsprung Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076700. [PMID: 37047673 PMCID: PMC10094892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Insights into the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in disease pathogenesis have made them attractive therapeutic targets, and numerous miRNAs have been functionally linked to Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), a life-threatening genetic disorder due to defective migration, proliferation, and colonization of enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) in the gut. Recent studies have demonstrated that miR-424 strongly inhibits migration in a variety of cell types and its potential target RICTOR is essential for neural crest cell development. We therefore sought to interrogate how miR-424 and RICTOR contribute to the pathogenesis of HSCR. We utilized HSCR cases and human neural cells to evaluate the miR-424-mediated regulation of RICTOR and the downstream AKT phosphorylation. We further developed an ex vivo model to assess the effects of miR-424 on ENCC migration and proliferation. Then, single-cell atlases of gene expression in both human and mouse fetal intestines were used to determine the characteristics of RICTOR and AKT expression in the developing gut. Our findings demonstrate that miR-424 levels are markedly increased in the colonic tissues of patients with HSCR and that it regulates human neural cell migration by directly targeting RICTOR. Up-regulation of miR-424 leads to decreased AKT phosphorylation levels in a RICTOR-dependent manner, and this, in turn, impairs ENCC proliferation and migration in the developing gut. Interestingly, we further identified prominent RICTOR and AKT expressions in the enteric neurons and other types of enteric neural cells in human and mouse fetal intestines. Our present study reveals the role of the miR-424/RICTOR axis in HSCR pathogenesis and indicates that miR-424 is a promising candidate for the development of targeted therapies against HSCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Xu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yingnan Yan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Beilin Gu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
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Hill RA, Gibbons A, Han U, Suwakulsiri W, Taseska A, Hammet F, Southey M, Malhotra A, Fahey M, Palmer KR, Hunt RW, Lim I, Newman-Morris V, Sundram S. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 exposure alters infant DNA methylation. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 27:100572. [PMID: 36570792 PMCID: PMC9758784 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. The impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on infant neurodevelopment is poorly understood. The maternal immune response to infection may be mimicked in rodent models of maternal immune activation which recapitulate altered neurodevelopment and behavioural disturbances in the offspring. In these models, epigenetic mechanisms, in particular DNA methylation, are one pathway through which this risk is conferred in utero to offspring. We hypothesised that in utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in humans may alter infant DNA methylation, particularly in genes associated with neurodevelopment. We aimed to test this hypothesis in a pilot sample of children in Victoria, Australia, who were exposed in utero to SARS-CoV-2. Methods DNA was extracted from buccal swab specimens from (n = 4) SARS-CoV-2 in utero exposed and (n = 4) non-exposed infants and methylation status assessed across 850,000 methylation sites using an Illumina EPIC BeadChip. We also conducted an exploratory enrichment analysis using Gene Ontology annotations. Results 1962 hypermethylated CpG sites were identified with an unadjusted p-value of 0.05, where 1133 CpGs mapped to 959 unique protein coding genes, and 716 hypomethylated CpG sites mapped to 559 unique protein coding genes in SARS-CoV-2 exposed infants compared to non-exposed. One differentially methylated position (cg06758191), located in the gene body of AFAP1 that was hypomethylated in the SARS-CoV-2 exposed cohort was significant after correction for multiple testing (FDR-adjusted p-value <0.00083). Two significant differentially methylated regions were identified; a hypomethylated intergenic region located in chromosome 6p proximal to the genes ZP57 and HLA-F (fwer <0.004), and a hypomethylated region in the promoter and body of the gene GAREM2 (fwer <0.036). Gene network enrichment analysis revealed differential methylation in genes corresponding to pathways relevant to neurodevelopment, including the ERBB pathway. Conclusion These pilot data suggest that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in utero differentially alters methylation of genes in pathways that play a role in human neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Gibbons
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Uni Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Angela Taseska
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fleur Hammet
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melissa Southey
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Atul Malhotra
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Fahey
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kirsten R. Palmer
- Monash Women's, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rod W. Hunt
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Izaak Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Early in Life Mental Health Service, Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vesna Newman-Morris
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Early in Life Mental Health Service, Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Schizophrenia and psychedelic state: Dysconnection versus hyper-connection. A perspective on two different models of psychosis stemming from dysfunctional integration processes. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:59-67. [PMID: 35931756 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01721-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychotic symptoms are a cross-sectional dimension affecting multiple diagnostic categories, despite schizophrenia represents the prototype of psychoses. Initially, dopamine was considered the most involved molecule in the neurobiology of schizophrenia. Over the next years, several biological factors were added to the discussion helping to constitute the concept of schizophrenia as a disease marked by a deficit of functional integration, contributing to the formulation of the Dysconnection Hypothesis in 1995. Nowadays the notion of dysconnection persists in the conceptualization of schizophrenia enriched by neuroimaging findings which corroborate the hypothesis. At the same time, in recent years, psychedelics received a lot of attention by the scientific community and astonishing findings emerged about the rearrangement of brain networks under the effect of these compounds. Specifically, a global decrease in functional connectivity was found, highlighting the disintegration of preserved and functional circuits and an increase of overall connectivity in the brain. The aim of this paper is to compare the biological bases of dysconnection in schizophrenia with the alterations of neuronal cyto-architecture induced by psychedelics and the consequent state of cerebral hyper-connection. These two models of psychosis, despite diametrically opposed, imply a substantial deficit of integration of neural signaling reached through two opposite paths.
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12
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Zhang X, Wolfinger A, Wu X, Alnafisah R, Imami A, Hamoud AR, Lundh A, Parpura V, McCullumsmith RE, Shukla R, O’Donovan SM. Gene Enrichment Analysis of Astrocyte Subtypes in Psychiatric Disorders and Psychotropic Medication Datasets. Cells 2022; 11:3315. [PMID: 36291180 PMCID: PMC9600295 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have many important functions in the brain, but their roles in psychiatric disorders and their responses to psychotropic medications are still being elucidated. Here, we used gene enrichment analysis to assess the relationships between different astrocyte subtypes, psychiatric diseases, and psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers). We also carried out qPCR analyses and "look-up" studies to assess the chronic effects of these drugs on astrocyte marker gene expression. Our bioinformatic analysis identified gene enrichment of different astrocyte subtypes in psychiatric disorders. The highest level of enrichment was found in schizophrenia, supporting a role for astrocytes in this disorder. We also found differential enrichment of astrocyte subtypes associated with specific biological processes, highlighting the complex responses of astrocytes under pathological conditions. Enrichment of protein phosphorylation in astrocytes and disease was confirmed by biochemical analysis. Analysis of LINCS chemical perturbagen gene signatures also found that kinase inhibitors were highly discordant with astrocyte-SCZ associated gene signatures. However, we found that common gene enrichment of different psychotropic medications and astrocyte subtypes was limited. These results were confirmed by "look-up" studies and qPCR analysis, which also reported little effect of psychotropic medications on common astrocyte marker gene expression, suggesting that astrocytes are not a primary target of these medications. Conversely, antipsychotic medication does affect astrocyte gene marker expression in postmortem schizophrenia brain tissue, supporting specific astrocyte responses in different pathological conditions. Overall, this study provides a unique view of astrocyte subtypes and the effect of medications on astrocytes in disease, which will contribute to our understanding of their role in psychiatric disorders and offers insights into targeting astrocytes therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Zhang
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Alyssa Wolfinger
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xiaojun Wu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Rawan Alnafisah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Ali Imami
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Abdul-rizaq Hamoud
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Anna Lundh
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Robert E. McCullumsmith
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Promedica Neurosciences Institute, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Rammohan Shukla
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
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13
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Casas BS, Arancibia-Altamirano D, Acevedo-La Rosa F, Garrido-Jara D, Maksaev V, Pérez-Monje D, Palma V. It takes two to tango: Widening our understanding of the onset of schizophrenia from a neuro-angiogenic perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:946706. [PMID: 36092733 PMCID: PMC9448889 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.946706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating mental disorder characterized by perturbations in thinking, perception, and behavior, along with brain connectivity deficiencies, neurotransmitter dysfunctions, and loss of gray brain matter. To date, schizophrenia has no cure and pharmacological treatments are only partially efficacious, with about 30% of patients describing little to no improvement after treatment. As in most neurological disorders, the main descriptions of schizophrenia physiopathology have been focused on neural network deficiencies. However, to sustain proper neural activity in the brain, another, no less important network is operating: the vast, complex and fascinating vascular network. Increasing research has characterized schizophrenia as a systemic disease where vascular involvement is important. Several neuro-angiogenic pathway disturbances have been related to schizophrenia. Alterations, ranging from genetic polymorphisms, mRNA, and protein alterations to microRNA and abnormal metabolite processing, have been evaluated in plasma, post-mortem brain, animal models, and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models. During embryonic brain development, the coordinated formation of blood vessels parallels neuro/gliogenesis and results in the structuration of the neurovascular niche, which brings together physical and molecular signals from both systems conforming to the Blood-Brain barrier. In this review, we offer an upfront perspective on distinctive angiogenic and neurogenic signaling pathways that might be involved in the biological causality of schizophrenia. We analyze the role of pivotal angiogenic-related pathways such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and HIF signaling related to hypoxia and oxidative stress events; classic developmental pathways such as the NOTCH pathway, metabolic pathways such as the mTOR/AKT cascade; emerging neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative processes such as UPR, and also discuss non-canonic angiogenic/axonal guidance factor signaling. Considering that all of the mentioned above pathways converge at the Blood-Brain barrier, reported neurovascular alterations could have deleterious repercussions on overall brain functioning in schizophrenia.
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14
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Petrikis P, Polyzou A, Premeti K, Roumelioti A, Karampas A, Georgiou G, Grigoriadis D, Leondaritis G. GSK3β and mTORC1 Represent 2 Distinct Signaling Markers in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Drug-Naive, First Episode of Psychosis Patients. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:1136-1144. [PMID: 35757972 PMCID: PMC9434466 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Schizophrenia is characterized by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors converging on prominent signaling pathways that orchestrate brain development. The Akt/GSK3β/mTORC1 pathway has long been recognized as a point of convergence and etiological mechanism, but despite evidence suggesting its hypofunction, it is still not clear if this is already established during the first episode of psychosis (FEP). STUDY DESIGN Here, we performed a systematic phosphorylation analysis of Akt, GSK3β, and S6, a mTORC1 downstream target, in fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells from drug-naive FEP patients and control subjects. STUDY RESULTS Our results suggest 2 distinct signaling endophenotypes in FEP patients. GSK3β hypofunction exhibits a promiscuous association with psychopathology, and it is normalized after treatment, whereas mTORC1 hypofunction represents a stable state. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides novel insight on the peripheral hypofunction of the Akt/GSK3β/mTORC1 pathway and highlights mTORC1 activity as a prominent integrator of altered peripheral immune and metabolic states in FEP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Polyzou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Premeti
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Argyro Roumelioti
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Andreas Karampas
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Georgios Georgiou
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dionysios Grigoriadis
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - George Leondaritis
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences and Institute of Biosciences, University Research Center of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; tel: +302651007555, fax: +302651007859, e-mail:
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15
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Exposure to the Amino Acids Histidine, Lysine, and Threonine Reduces mTOR Activity and Affects Neurodevelopment in a Human Cerebral Organoid Model. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14102175. [PMID: 35631316 PMCID: PMC9145399 DOI: 10.3390/nu14102175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence of the impact of nutrition on human brain development is compelling. Previous in vitro and in vivo results show that three specific amino acids, histidine, lysine, and threonine, synergistically inhibit mTOR activity and behavior. Therefore, the prenatal availability of these amino acids could be important for human neurodevelopment. However, methods to study the underlying mechanisms in a human model of neurodevelopment are limited. Here, we pioneer the use of human cerebral organoids to investigate the impact of amino acid supplementation on neurodevelopment. In this study, cerebral organoids were exposed to 10 mM and 50 mM of the amino acids threonine, histidine, and lysine. The impact was determined by measuring mTOR activity using Western blots, general cerebral organoid size, and gene expression by RNA sequencing. Exposure to threonine, histidine, and lysine led to decreased mTOR activity and markedly reduced organoid size, supporting findings in rodent studies. RNA sequencing identified comprehensive changes in gene expression, with enrichment in genes related to specific biological processes (among which are mTOR signaling and immune function) and to specific cell types, including proliferative precursor cells, microglia, and astrocytes. Altogether, cerebral organoids are responsive to nutritional exposure by increasing specific amino acid concentrations and reflect findings from previous rodent studies. Threonine, histidine, and lysine exposure impacts the early development of human cerebral organoids, illustrated by the inhibition of mTOR activity, reduced size, and altered gene expression.
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16
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Fularczyk N, Di Re J, Stertz L, Walss-Bass C, Laezza F, Labate D. A Learning Based Framework for Disease Prediction from Images of Human-Derived Pluripotent Stem Cells of Schizophrenia Patients. Neuroinformatics 2022; 20:513-523. [PMID: 35064871 PMCID: PMC9304448 DOI: 10.1007/s12021-022-09561-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been employed very successfully to identify molecular and cellular features of psychiatric disorders that would be impossible to discover in traditional postmortem studies. Despite the wealth of new available information though, there is still a critical need to establish quantifiable and accessible molecular markers that can be used to reveal the biological causality of the disease. In this paper, we introduce a new quantitative framework based on supervised learning to investigate structural alterations in the neuronal cytoskeleton of hiPSCs of schizophrenia (SCZ) patients. We show that, by using Support Vector Machines or selected Artificial Neural Networks trained on image-based features associated with somas of hiPSCs derived neurons, we can predict very reliably SCZ and healthy control cells. In addition, our method reveals that [Formula: see text]III tubulin and FGF12, two critical components of the cytoskeleton, are differentially regulated in SCZ and healthy control cells, upon perturbation by GSK3 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Di Re
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Laura Stertz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UT Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UT Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fernanda Laezza
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Demetrio Labate
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
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17
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Alganem K, Hamoud AR, Creeden JF, Henkel ND, Imami AS, Joyce AW, Ryan V WG, Rethman JB, Shukla R, O'Donovan SM, Meller J, McCullumsmith R. The active kinome: The modern view of how active protein kinase networks fit in biological research. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 62:117-129. [PMID: 34968947 PMCID: PMC9438800 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.11.007] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Biological regulatory networks are dynamic, intertwined, and complex systems making them challenging to study. While quantitative measurements of transcripts and proteins are key to investigate the state of a biological system, they do not inform the "active" state of regulatory networks. In consideration of that fact, "functional" proteomics assessments are needed to decipher active regulatory processes. Phosphorylation, a key post-translation modification, is a reversible regulatory mechanism that controls the functional state of proteins. Recent advancements of high-throughput protein kinase activity profiling platforms allow for a broad assessment of protein kinase networks in complex biological systems. In conjunction with sophisticated computational modeling techniques, these profiling platforms provide datasets that inform the active state of regulatory systems in disease models and highlight potential drug targets. Taken together, system-wide profiling of protein kinase activity has become a critical component of modern molecular biology research and presents a promising avenue for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Alganem
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Abdul-Rizaq Hamoud
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Justin F Creeden
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Nicholas D Henkel
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Ali S Imami
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Alex W Joyce
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - William G Ryan V
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Jacob B Rethman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Rammohan Shukla
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Sinead M O'Donovan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Jarek Meller
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pharmacology and System Biology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert McCullumsmith
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, USA; Neurosciences Institute, ProMedica, Toledo, OH, USA.
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18
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Mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin and side effects of antipsychotics: insights into mechanisms and implications for therapy. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:13. [PMID: 35013125 PMCID: PMC8748807 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01778-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antipsychotic pharmacotherapy has been widely recommended as the standard of care for the treatment of acute schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms of other psychiatric disorders. However, there are growing concerns regarding antipsychotic-induced side effects, including weight gain, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and extrapyramidal motor disorders, which not only decrease patient compliance, but also predispose to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. To date, most studies and reviews on the mechanisms of antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects have focused on central nervous system mediation of appetite and food intake. However, disturbance in glucose and lipid metabolism, and hepatic steatosis induced by antipsychotic drugs might precede weight gain and MetS. Recent studies have demonstrated that the mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a critical regulatory role in the pathophysiology of antipsychotic drug-induced disorders of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, antipsychotic drugs promote striatal mTOR pathway activation that contributes to extrapyramidal motor side effects. Although recent findings have advanced the understanding of the role of the mTOR pathway in antipsychotic-induced side effects, few reviews have been conducted on this emerging topic. In this review, we synthesize key findings by focusing on the roles of the hepatic and striatal mTOR pathways in the pathogenesis of metabolic and extrapyramidal side effects, respectively. We further discuss the potential therapeutic benefits of normalizing excessive mTOR pathway activation with mTOR specific inhibitors. A deeper understanding of pathogenesis may inform future intervention strategies using the pharmacological or genetic inhibitors of mTOR to prevent and manage antipsychotic-induced side effects.
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19
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Molecular Features Triggered by Antipsychotic Medication in Brain Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1400:65-73. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97182-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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20
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Brandão-Teles C, Smith BJ, Carregari VC. PTMs: A Missing Piece for Schizophrenia Studies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1382:119-127. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-05460-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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21
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DePasquale EAK, Alganem K, Bentea E, Nawreen N, McGuire JL, Tomar T, Naji F, Hilhorst R, Meller J, McCullumsmith RE. KRSA: An R package and R Shiny web application for an end-to-end upstream kinase analysis of kinome array data. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260440. [PMID: 34919543 PMCID: PMC8682895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation by serine-threonine and tyrosine kinases is critical for determining protein function. Array-based platforms for measuring reporter peptide signal levels allow for differential phosphorylation analysis between conditions for distinct active kinases. Peptide array technologies like the PamStation12 from PamGene allow for generating high-throughput, multi-dimensional, and complex functional proteomics data. As the adoption rate of such technologies increases, there is an imperative need for software tools that streamline the process of analyzing such data. We present Kinome Random Sampling Analyzer (KRSA), an R package and R Shiny web-application for analyzing kinome array data to help users better understand the patterns of functional proteomics in complex biological systems. KRSA is an All-In-One tool that reads, formats, fits models, analyzes, and visualizes PamStation12 kinome data. While the underlying algorithm has been experimentally validated in previous publications, we demonstrate KRSA workflow on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in male (n = 3) and female (n = 3) subjects to identify differential phosphorylation signatures and upstream kinase activity. Kinase activity differences between males and females were compared to a previously published kinome dataset (11 female and 7 male subjects) which showed similar global phosphorylation signals patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica A. K. DePasquale
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Khaled Alganem
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Eduard Bentea
- Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nawshaba Nawreen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. McGuire
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Tushar Tomar
- PamGene International B.V., s’-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Faris Naji
- Tercen Data Analytics Ltd, Co Waterford, Ireland
| | - Riet Hilhorst
- PamGene International B.V., s’-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computing Systems, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Robert E. McCullumsmith
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
- Neurosciences institute, ProMedica, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
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22
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Identifying therapeutic targets for schizophrenia. Commun Biol 2021; 4:742. [PMID: 34112930 PMCID: PMC8192517 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02270-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a continual need to develop new therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders such as Schizophrenia, and identifying the underlying molecular processes remains challenging. Chadha et al. recently discovered a potential role for mTOR kinase activity disruption in Schizophrenia and further uncover the precise pathomechanism. Their study sheds further light on the role of mTOR in Schizophrenia and could inform the development of future therapeutic strategies for the condition.
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