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Gao LT, Yuan JQ, Zhang ZY, Zhao HM, Gao L. Hypermethylation of the Bmp4 promoter dampens binding of HIF-1α and impairs its cardiac protective effects from oxidative stress in prenatally GC-exposed offspring. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:58. [PMID: 36746787 PMCID: PMC9902418 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04703-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The exposure to an unhealthy environment in utero can lead to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in the offspring. Glucocorticoids (GC) are essential for normal development and maturation of fetal organs and is a first-line treatment for pregnant women affected by autoimmune diseases. However, excess prenatal GC exposure might program the development of fetal organs and cause a number of chronic diseases in later life. Our previous studies indicated that cardiac functions were significantly compromised in rat offspring prenatally exposed to the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX), only after ischemia-reperfusion. In the present study, we further observed that DNA hypermethylation of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4) promoter in cardiomyocytes caused by prenatal DEX exposure substantially dampened the binding activity of transcription factor HIF-1α induced by cardiac ischemia. Therefore, prenatal DEX exposure inhibits the induction of BMP4 upon I/R and attenuates the protective effects of BMP4 in cardiomyocytes, which eventually manifests as malfunction of the adult heart. Moreover, we employed two cardiac-specific Bmp4 knock-in mouse models and found that in vivo BMP4 overexpression could rescue the cardiac dysfunction caused by prenatal GC exposure. In depth mechanistic research revealed that BMP4 protects the cardiomyocytes from mitophagy and apoptosis by attenuating mitochondrial PGC-1α expression in a p-Smad and Parkin-dependent manner. These findings suggest that prenatal GC exposure increases the susceptibility of the offspring's heart to a "second strike" after birth, due to the failure of hypoxia-induced HIF-1α transactivation of the hypermethylated Bmp4 promoter in cardiomyocytes. Pretreatment with the DNA methylation inhibitor, 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, could be a potential therapeutic method for this programming effect of GC exposure during pregnancy on neonatal cardiac dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Tong Gao
- Department of Physiology, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Qiang Yuan
- Department of Physiology, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Yu Zhang
- Department of Health Management, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, People's Republic of China
| | - Hou-Ming Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Physiology, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Wu T, Zhou K, Hua Y, Zhang W, Li Y. The molecular mechanisms in prenatal drug exposure-induced fetal programmed adult cardiovascular disease. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1164487. [PMID: 37153765 PMCID: PMC10157035 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1164487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The "developmental origins of health and disease" (DOHaD) hypothesis posits that early-life environmental exposures have a lasting impact on individual's health and permanently shape growth, structure, and metabolism. This reprogramming, which results from fetal stress, is believed to contribute to the development of adulthood cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and increased susceptibility to ischemic injuries. Recent studies have shown that prenatal exposure to drugs, such as glucocorticoids, antibiotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and other toxins, increases the risk of adult-onset cardiovascular diseases. In addition, observational and animal experimental studies have demonstrated the association between prenatal drug exposure and the programming of cardiovascular disease in the offspring. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are still being explored but are thought to involve metabolism dysregulation. This review summarizes the current evidence on the relationship between prenatal drug exposure and the risk of adult cardiovascular disorders. Additionally, we present the latest insights into the molecular mechanisms that lead to programmed cardiovascular phenotypes after prenatal drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaiyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yimin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Wen Zhang, ; Yifei Li,
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Wen Zhang, ; Yifei Li,
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3
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Hamledari H, Asghari P, Jayousi F, Aguirre A, Maaref Y, Barszczewski T, Ser T, Moore E, Wasserman W, Klein Geltink R, Teves S, Tibbits GF. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to understand the mechanisms driving cardiomyocyte maturation. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:967659. [PMID: 36061558 PMCID: PMC9429949 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.967659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality and reduced quality of life globally. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) provide a personalized platform to study inherited heart diseases, drug-induced cardiac toxicity, and cardiac regenerative therapy. However, the immaturity of CMs obtained by current strategies is a major hurdle in utilizing hiPSC-CMs at their fullest potential. Here, the major findings and limitations of current maturation methodologies to enhance the utility of hiPSC-CMs in the battle against a major source of morbidity and mortality are reviewed. The most recent knowledge of the potential signaling pathways involved in the transition of fetal to adult CMs are assimilated. In particular, we take a deeper look on role of nutrient sensing signaling pathways and the potential role of cap-independent translation mediated by the modulation of mTOR pathway in the regulation of cardiac gap junctions and other yet to be identified aspects of CM maturation. Moreover, a relatively unexplored perspective on how our knowledge on the effects of preterm birth on cardiovascular development can be actually utilized to enhance the current understanding of CM maturation is examined. Furthermore, the interaction between the evolving neonatal human heart and brown adipose tissue as the major source of neonatal thermogenesis and its endocrine function on CM development is another discussed topic which is worthy of future investigation. Finally, the current knowledge regarding transcriptional mediators of CM maturation is still limited. The recent studies have produced the groundwork to better understand CM maturation in terms of providing some of the key factors involved in maturation and development of metrics for assessment of maturation which proves essential for future studies on in vitro PSC-CMs maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Hamledari
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Cellular and Regenerative Medicine Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Parisa Asghari
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Farah Jayousi
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Cellular and Regenerative Medicine Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alejandro Aguirre
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yasaman Maaref
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Cellular and Regenerative Medicine Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tiffany Barszczewski
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Cellular and Regenerative Medicine Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Terri Ser
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Edwin Moore
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wyeth Wasserman
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ramon Klein Geltink
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sheila Teves
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Glen F. Tibbits
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Cellular and Regenerative Medicine Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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4
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Liu Y, Ding Q, Guo W. Life Course Impact of Glucocorticoids During Pregnancy on Muscle Development and Function. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021; 2. [PMID: 36325303 PMCID: PMC9624510 DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.788930] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal stress, such as maternal obesity, can induce severe gestational disease and hormonal disorder which may disrupt fetal organ maturation and further cause endangered early or future health in offspring. During fetal development, glucocorticoids are essential for the maturation of organ systems. For instance, in clinical applications, glucocorticoids are commonly utilized to pregnant women with the risk of preterm delivery to reduce mortality of the newborns. However, exposure of excessive glucocorticoids at embryonic and fetal developmental stages can cause diseases such as cardiovascular disease and muscle atrophy in adulthood. Effects of excessive glucocorticoids on human health are well-recognized and extensively studied. Nonetheless, effects of these hormones on farm animal growth and development, particularly on prenatal muscle development, and postnatal growth, did not attract much attention until the last decade. Here, we provided a short review of the recent progress relating to the effect of glucocorticoids on prenatal skeletal muscle development and postnatal muscle growth as well as heart muscle development and cardiovascular disease during life course.
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5
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Environmental Alterations during Embryonic Development: Studying the Impact of Stressors on Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101564. [PMID: 34680959 PMCID: PMC8536136 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) sauch as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases are rising rapidly in all countries world-wide. Environmental maternal factors (e.g., diet, oxidative stress, drugs and many others), maternal illnesses and other stressors can predispose the newborn to develop diseases during different stages of life. The connection between environmental factors and NCDs was formulated by David Barker and colleagues as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. In this review, we describe the DOHaD concept and the effects of several environmental stressors on the health of the progeny, providing both animal and human evidence. We focus on cardiovascular diseases which represent the leading cause of death worldwide. The purpose of this review is to discuss how in vitro studies with pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), such as embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (ESC, iPSC), can underpin the research on non-genetic heart conditions. The PSCs could provide a tool to recapitulate aspects of embryonic development “in a dish”, studying the effects of environmental exposure during cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation and maturation, establishing a link to molecular mechanism and epigenetics.
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6
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Ivy JR, Carter RN, Zhao JF, Buckley C, Urquijo H, Rog-Zielinska EA, Panting E, Hrabalkova L, Nicholson C, Agnew EJ, Kemp MW, Morton NM, Stock SJ, Wyrwoll C, Ganley IG, Chapman KE. Glucocorticoids regulate mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in fetal cardiomyocytes. J Physiol 2021; 599:4901-4924. [PMID: 34505639 DOI: 10.1113/jp281860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The late gestational rise in glucocorticoids contributes to the structural and functional maturation of the perinatal heart. Here, we hypothesized that glucocorticoid action contributes to the metabolic switch in perinatal cardiomyocytes from carbohydrate to fatty acid oxidation. In primary mouse fetal cardiomyocytes, dexamethasone treatment induced expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and increased mitochondrial oxidation of palmitate, dependent upon a glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Dexamethasone did not, however, induce mitophagy or alter the morphology of the mitochondrial network. In vivo, in neonatal mice, dexamethasone treatment induced cardiac expression of fatty acid oxidation genes. However, dexamethasone treatment of pregnant C57Bl/6 mice at embryonic day (E)13.5 or E16.5 failed to induce fatty acid oxidation genes in fetal hearts assessed 24 h later. Instead, at E17.5, fatty acid oxidation genes were downregulated by dexamethasone, as was GR itself. PGC-1α, required for glucocorticoid-induced maturation of primary mouse fetal cardiomyocytes in vitro, was also downregulated in fetal hearts at E17.5, 24 h after dexamethasone administration. Similarly, following a course of antenatal corticosteroids in a translational sheep model of preterm birth, both GR and PGC-1α were downregulated in heart. These data suggest that endogenous glucocorticoids support the perinatal switch to fatty acid oxidation in cardiomyocytes through changes in gene expression rather than gross changes in mitochondrial volume or mitochondrial turnover. Moreover, our data suggest that treatment with exogenous glucocorticoids may interfere with normal fetal heart maturation, possibly by downregulating GR. This has implications for clinical use of antenatal corticosteroids when preterm birth is considered a possibility. KEY POINTS: Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that play a vital role in late pregnancy in maturing fetal organs, including the heart. In fetal cardiomyocytes in culture, glucocorticoids promote mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, suggesting they facilitate the perinatal switch from carbohydrates to fatty acids as the predominant energy substrate. Administration of a synthetic glucocorticoid in late pregnancy in mice downregulates the glucocorticoid receptor and interferes with the normal increase in genes involved in fatty acid metabolism in the heart. In a sheep model of preterm birth, antenatal corticosteroids (synthetic glucocorticoid) downregulates the glucocorticoid receptor and the gene encoding PGC-1α, a master regulator of energy metabolism. These experiments suggest that administration of antenatal corticosteroids in anticipation of preterm delivery may interfere with fetal heart maturation by downregulating the ability to respond to glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Ivy
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Roderic N Carter
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jin-Feng Zhao
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Charlotte Buckley
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Helena Urquijo
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eva A Rog-Zielinska
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emma Panting
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Lenka Hrabalkova
- The Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cara Nicholson
- The Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emma J Agnew
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matthew W Kemp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nicholas M Morton
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah J Stock
- The Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,The Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caitlin Wyrwoll
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Ian G Ganley
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Karen E Chapman
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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7
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Epigenetic modification cooperates with Zeb1 transcription factor to regulate Bmp4 to promote chicken PGCs formation. Gene 2021; 794:145760. [PMID: 34116118 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BMP4 is the critical gene of primordial germ cell formation in mammal, however, the mechanism of PGCs formation in chicken still unknown. In this research, we compared the evolution relationship of different species. Although the protein sequence is highly conservative between mouse, human and chicken, promotors vary among avian and mammal species. Therefore, it is easily to predict that there would be different regulation mechanism of Bmp4 expression in chicken. Here, we elucidate the function of chicken Bmp4 during PGCs formation. In vivo, Bmp4 can promote PGCs development and migration, and increase the expression of key genes (Cvh, c-kit, cxcr4, etc.). Whereas, the expression of these genes will decrease after knocking out Bmp4. After over-expression and knockout Bmp4 in vitro, we found that overexpression of Bmp4 could promote the formation of embryoid bodies (EB) and up-regulate the key genes of PGCs formation and migration, while knockout Bmp4 could inhibit the formation of embryoid bodies and decrease the expression of related genes. Flow and indirect immunofluorescence also indicated the same result. These all results proved that chicken Bmp4 could also promote the formation of PGCs. Furthermore, dual-luciferase activity detection showed that the promotor activity of Bmp4 was positively regulated by transcription factor Zeb1. Overexpression of Zeb1 can also increase the mRNA and protein expression of Bmp4. At the same time, DNA methylation inhibited Bmp4 transcription and histone methylation was able to promote its transcription. In conclusion, this study established that chicken Bmp4 can promote the formation of chicken PGCs. This gene is regulated by DNA, histone methylation and transcription factor Zeb1. These results lay a theoretical foundation for exploring the function and molecular mechanism of Bmp4 in the process of PGCs formation.
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8
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Ishii N, Homma T, Takeda Y, Aung NY, Yamada KI, Miyata S, Asao H, Yamakawa M, Fujii J. Developmental retardation in neonates of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A)-deficient mice is associated with low ascorbic acid and high corticosterone levels. J Nutr Biochem 2021; 91:108604. [PMID: 33549889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aldehyde reductase encoded by the Akr1a gene catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a variety of aldehyde compounds, and it plays a role in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid (AsA) by converting D-glucuronate to L-gulonate. Although supplementing drinking water with AsA (1.5 mg/mL) ameliorates the fertility of Akr1a-/- (KO) female mice, litter sizes in the KO mice are typically smaller than those for Akr1a+/+ (WT) mice, and about one-third of the neonates have a reduced stature. Half of the neonates in the smallest, developmentally retarded group died before weaning, and the remaining half (less than 6 g in weight) also barely grew to adulthood. While no difference was found in the number of fetuses between the KO and WT mice at 14.5-embryonic days, the sizes of the KO fetuses had already diverged. Among the organs of these retarded KO neonates at 30 d, the spleen and thymus were characteristically small. While an examination of spleen cells showed the normal proportion of immune cells, apoptotic cell death was increased in the thymus, which would lead to thymic atrophy in the retarded KO neonates. Plasma AsA levels were lower in the small neonates despite the fact that their mothers had received sufficient AsA supplementation, and the corticosterone levels were inversely higher compared to wild-type mice. Thus, insufficient AsA contents together with a defect in corticosterone metabolism might be the cause of the retarded growth of the AKR1A-deficient mice embryos and neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Ishii
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Takujiro Homma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yuji Takeda
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Naing Ye Aung
- Department of Pathological Diagnostics, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yamada
- Physical Chemistry for Life Science Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Miyata
- Miyata Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, Fukushima-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hironobu Asao
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Yamakawa
- Department of Pathological Diagnostics, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Junichi Fujii
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan.
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9
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Hellgren KT, Premanandhan H, Quinn CJ, Trafford AW, Galli GLJ. Sex-dependent effects of developmental hypoxia on cardiac mitochondria from adult murine offspring. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 162:490-499. [PMID: 33186741 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Insufficient oxygen supply (hypoxia) during fetal and embryonic development can lead to latent phenotypical changes in the adult cardiovascular system, including altered cardiac function and increased susceptibility to ischemia reperfusion injury. While the cellular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are largely unknown, several studies have pointed towards metabolic disturbances in the heart of offspring from hypoxic pregnancies. To this end, we investigated mitochondrial function in the offspring of a mouse model of prenatal hypoxia. Pregnant C57 mice were subjected to either normoxia (21%) or hypoxia (14%) during gestational days 6-18. Offspring were reared in normoxia for up to 8 months and mitochondrial biology was assessed with electron microscopy (ultrastructure), spectrophotometry (enzymatic activity of electron transport chain complexes), microrespirometry (oxidative phosphorylation and H202 production) and Western Blot (protein expression). Our data showed that male adult offspring from hypoxic pregnancies possessed mitochondria with increased H202 production and lower respiratory capacity that was associated with reduced protein expression of complex I, II and IV. In contrast, females from hypoxic pregnancies had a higher respiratory capacity and lower H202 production that was associated with increased enzymatic activity of complex IV. From these results, we speculate that early exposure to hypoxia has long term, sex-dependent effects on cardiac metabolic function, which may have implications for cardiovascular health and disease in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim T Hellgren
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Hajani Premanandhan
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Callum J Quinn
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Andrew W Trafford
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Gina L J Galli
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
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10
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Role of Parkin-mediated mitophagy in glucocorticoid-induced cardiomyocyte maturation. Life Sci 2020; 255:117817. [PMID: 32446845 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids can promote cardiomyocyte maturation. However, the mechanism underlying glucocorticoid-mediated cardiomyocyte maturation is still unclear. Mitophagy plays a key role in cardiomyocyte maturation. Based on current knowledge, our study evaluated the effects of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (100 nM) on the maturation of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and the role of mitophagy in this maturation. The results showed that dexamethasone can promote embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte maturation, inhibit cardiomyocyte proliferation, and promote myocardial fiber arrangement. However, dexamethasone did not affect mitochondrial morphology in cardiomyocytes. Glucocorticoid receptor inhibitors (RU486, 1 nM) can inhibit dexamethasone-mediated cardiomyocyte maturation. Additionally, dexamethasone can promote mitophagy in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and induce LC3 and lysosomal aggregation in mitochondria. The inhibition of mitophagy can inhibit the cardiomyocyte maturation effect of dexamethasone. Furthermore, our research found that dexamethasone may mediate the occurrence of mitophagy in cardiomyocytes through Parkin. The siRNA-mediated inhibition of Parkin expression can inhibit mitochondrial autophagy caused by dexamethasone, thus inhibiting cardiomyocyte maturation. Overall, our study found that dexamethasone can promote embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte maturation through Parkin-mediated mitophagy.
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11
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Individual differences in glucocorticoid regulation: Does it relate to disease risk and resilience? Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 56:100803. [PMID: 31697962 PMCID: PMC7189329 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GC) signaling varies among individuals, and this variation may relate to individual differences in health outcomes. To determine if and which aspects of signaling (basal, circadian, integrative, or reactivity) are associated with specific health outcomes, we reviewed recent studies that relate GCs to health outcomes. We identified papers through PubMed and reviewed 100 original research articles related to mental health, cardiovascular health, cancer, diabetes, obesity, pulmonary health, sleep, and fitness. Many studies reported elevated GC secretion associated with worse health, but this was only particularly true for integrative GC measures. On the other hand, accentuated cortisol awakening response and a steeper circadian rhythm were both associated with positive health outcomes. Overall, relationships between GC secretion and health outcomes were relatively weak. This systematic review of relationships between GC metrics and health outcomes highlights the importance of careful consideration when selecting methods to measure GC regulation in health research.
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Song R, Hu XQ, Zhang L. Glucocorticoids and programming of the microenvironment in heart. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T121-T133. [PMID: 31018174 PMCID: PMC6602534 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones and can improve neonatal survival when given to pregnant women threatened by preterm birth or to preterm infants. It has become increasingly apparent that glucocorticoids, primarily by interacting with glucocorticoid receptors, play a critical role in late gestational cardiac maturation. Altered glucocorticoid actions contribute to the development and progression of heart disease. The knowledge gained from studies in the mature heart or cardiac damage is insufficient but a necessary starting point for understanding cardiac programming including programming of the cardiac microenvironment by glucocorticoids in the fetal heart. This review aims to highlight the potential roles of glucocorticoids in programming of the cardiac microenvironment, especially the supporting cells including endothelial cells, immune cells and fibroblasts. The molecular mechanisms by which glucocorticoids regulate the various cellular and extracellular components and the clinical relevance of glucocorticoid functions in the heart are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Song
- Correspondence to: Rui Song, PhD, , Lubo Zhang, PhD,
| | | | - Lubo Zhang
- Correspondence to: Rui Song, PhD, , Lubo Zhang, PhD,
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