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Arzate-Mejia RG, Carullo NVN, Mansuy IM. The epigenome under pressure: On regulatory adaptation to chronic stress in the brain. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 84:102832. [PMID: 38141414 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress (CS) can have long-lasting consequences on behavior and cognition, that are associated with stable changes in gene expression in the brain. Recent work has examined the role of the epigenome in the effects of CS on the brain. This review summarizes experimental evidence in rodents showing that CS can alter the epigenome and the expression of epigenetic modifiers in brain cells, and critically assesses their functional effect on genome function. It discusses the influence of the developmental time of stress exposure on the type of epigenetic changes, and proposes new lines of research that can help clarify these changes and their causal involvement in the impact of CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo G Arzate-Mejia
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/RodrigoArzt
| | - Nancy V N Carullo
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/DrNancyCarullo
| | - Isabelle M Mansuy
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland.
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Gou L, Li Y, Liu S, Sang H, Lan J, Chen J, Wang L, Li C, Lian B, Zhang X, Sun H, Sun L. (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine improves PTSD-associated behaviors and structural plasticity via modulating BDNF-mTOR signaling in the nucleus accumbens. J Affect Disord 2023; 335:129-140. [PMID: 37137411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness caused by either experiencing or observing a traumatic event that is perceived to pose a serious risk to one's life. (2R,6R)-HNK has an alleviating effect on negative emotions, nevertheless, the mechanism of (2R,6R)-HNK action is unclear. METHODS In this study, the single prolonged stress and electric foot shock (SPS&S) method was used to establish a rat model of PTSD. After determining the validity of the model, (2R,6R)-HNK was administered to the NAc by microinjection using a concentration gradient of 10, 50, and 100 μM, and the effects of the drug in the SPS&S rat model were evaluated. Moreover, our study measured changes in related proteins in the NAc (BDNF, p-mTOR/mTOR, and PSD95) and synaptic ultrastructure. RESULTS In the SPS&S group, the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and PSD95 was reduced and synaptic morphology was damaged in the NAc. In contrast, after the administration of 50 μM (2R,6R)-HNK, SPS&S-treated rats improved their exploration and depression-linked behavior, while protein levels and synaptic ultrastructure were also restored in the NAc. With the administration of 100 μM (2R,6R)-HNK, locomotor behavior, and social interaction improved in the PTSD model. LIMITATIONS The mechanism of BDNF-mTOR signaling after (2R,6R)-HNK administration was not explored. CONCLUSION (2R,6R)-HNK may ameliorate negative mood and social avoidance symptoms in PTSD rats by regulating BDNF/mTOR-mediated synaptic structural plasticity in the NAc, providing new targets for the development of anti-PTSD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Gou
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Yu Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Shiqi Liu
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Haohan Sang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Jiajun Lan
- School of Clinical Medical, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Jinhong Chen
- College of Extended Education, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Clinical Competency Training Center, Medical Experiment and Training Center, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, China
| | - Changjiang Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Bo Lian
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Xianqiang Zhang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China.
| | - Lin Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China.
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Kang W, Kang Y, Kim A, Tae WS, Kim KJ, Kim SG, Ham BJ, Han KM. Shape analysis of the subcortical structures in North Korean refugees with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2022; 326:111527. [PMID: 36049318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2022.111527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the growing number of refugees and their mental health issues, neurobiological mechanisms to explain clinical symptoms resulting from traumatic events, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD), have not been extensively investigated. Research on the mental health of North Korean refugees (NKRs) who defected to South Korea for resettlement is still at an early stage but commonly reports structural and functional abnormalities in brain regions related to reward and motivational processing. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral pallidum (VP) are the major sites in subcortical structures that play key roles in reward and motivation. METHODS The present study examined subcortical structural abnormalities of 28 NKRs and age-, sex- matched South Korean Controls (SKCs) using shape analysis at the vertex level. RESULTS Among the 28 NKRs, 18 had psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD. The NKRs showed significantly reduced volumes in the right NAc and bilateral VP compared to the SKRs. The volume of the right VP showed a significant negative correlation with current PTSD severity in the NKR group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that structural alterations of the NAc and VP may explain PTSD and MDD observed in the refugees and further suggest that the aftereffect of trauma, manifested as anhedonia and anxiety, may show chronically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooyoung Kang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbin Kang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Aram Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Suk Tae
- Brain Convergence Research Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Jin Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin Gon Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Ham
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Man Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Fan BF, Hao B, Dai YD, Xue L, Shi YW, Liu L, Xuan SM, Yang N, Wang XG, Zhao H. Deficiency of Tet3 in nucleus accumbens enhances fear generalization and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Brain Pathol 2022; 32:e13080. [PMID: 35612904 PMCID: PMC9616092 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress‐induced neuroepigenetic programming gains growing more and more interest in the studies of the etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, seldom attention is focused on DNA demethylation in fear memory generalization, which is the core characteristic of PTSD. Here, we show that ten‐eleven translocation protein 3 (TET3), the most abundant DNA demethylation enzyme of the TET family in neurons, senses environmental stress and bridges neuroplasticity with behavioral adaptation during fear generalization. Foot shock strength dependently induces fear generalization and TET3 expression in nucleus accumbens (NAc) in mice. Inhibition of DNA demethylation by infusing demethyltransferase inhibitors or AAV‐Tet3‐shRNA virus in NAc enhances the fear generalization and anxiety‐like behavior. Furthermore, TET3 knockdown impairs the dendritic spine density, PSD length, and thickness of neurons, decreases DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC), reduces the expression of synaptic plasticity‐related genes including Homer1, Cdkn1a, Cdh8, Vamp8, Reln, Bdnf, while surprisingly increases immune‐related genes Stat1, B2m, H2‐Q7, H2‐M2, C3, Cd68 shown by RNA‐seq. Notably, knockdown of TET3 in NAc activates microglia and CD39‐P2Y12R signaling pathway, and inhibition of CD39 reverses the effects of TET3 knockdown on the fear memory generalization and anxiety. Overexpression of TET3 by Crispr‐dSaCas9 virus delivery to activate endogenous Tet3 in NAc increases dendritic spine density of neurons in NAc and reverses fear memory generalization and anxiety‐like behavior in mice. These results suggest that TET3 modulates fear generalization and anxiety via regulating synaptic plasticity and CD39 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu-Fang Fan
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Hao
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun-Da Dai
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Xue
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Wei Shi
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shou-Min Xuan
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ning Yang
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Wang
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hu Zhao
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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