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Ebrahimi MN, Banazadeh M, Alitaneh Z, Jaafari Suha A, Esmaeili A, Hasannejad-Asl B, Siahposht-Khachaki A, Hassanshahi A, Bagheri-Mohammadi S. The distribution of neurotransmitters in the brain circuitry: Mesolimbic pathway and addiction. Physiol Behav 2024; 284:114639. [PMID: 39004195 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114639] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the central nervous system (CNS) circuitry and its different neurotransmitters that underlie reward is essential to improve treatment for many common health issues, such as addiction. Here, we concentrate on understanding how the mesolimbic circuitry and neurotransmitters are organized and function, and how drug exposure affects synaptic and structural changes in this circuitry. While the role of some reward circuits, like the cerebral dopamine (DA)/glutamate (Glu)/gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic pathways, in drug reward, is well known, new research using molecular-based methods has shown functional alterations throughout the reward circuitry that contribute to various aspects of addiction, including craving and relapse. A new understanding of the fundamental connections between brain regions as well as the molecular alterations within these particular microcircuits, such as neurotrophic factor and molecular signaling or distinct receptor function, that underlie synaptic and structural plasticity evoked by drugs of abuse has been made possible by the ability to observe and manipulate neuronal activity within specific cell types and circuits. It is exciting that these discoveries from preclinical animal research are now being applied in the clinic, where therapies for human drug dependence, such as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation, are being tested. Therefore, this chapter seeks to summarize the current understanding of the important brain regions (especially, mesolimbic circuitry) and neurotransmitters implicated in drug-related behaviors and the molecular mechanisms that contribute to altered connectivity between these areas, with the postulation that increased knowledge of the plasticity within the drug reward circuit will lead to new and improved treatments for addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Navid Ebrahimi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Banazadeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Alitaneh
- Quantitative and System Biology, Department of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, USA
| | - Ali Jaafari Suha
- Department of Physiology and Neurophysiology Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Esmaeili
- Student Research Committee, Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnam Hasannejad-Asl
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Siahposht-Khachaki
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Amin Hassanshahi
- Department of Physiology, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Saeid Bagheri-Mohammadi
- Department of Paramedicine, Amol School of Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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Vassoler FM, Budge KE, Isgate SB, Gildawie KR, Byrnes EM. Neuroplasticity-related genes correlate with individual differences in distinct phases of oxycodone self-administration in male rats. Neuropharmacology 2024; 254:109972. [PMID: 38710443 PMCID: PMC11164234 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109972] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic condition associated with long-lasting molecular and behavioral changes. Animals with prolonged access to opioids develop behaviors similar to human OUD. Identifying associated molecular changes can provide insight to underpinnings that lead to or maintain OUD. In pilot studies, we identified several miRNA targets that are altered by the administration of oxycodone. We selected mir182 for follow up as it was recently shown to be dysregulated in plasma of men administered oxycodone. In addition, mir182 is increased in reward-related brain regions of male rats following exposure to various addictive substances. The present study utilizes a long-access oxycodone self-administration paradigm to examine changes in mir182 and its mRNA targets associated with neuroplasticity, which may be involved in the maintenance of OUD-like phenotype in rats. Male rats were trained to self-administer oxycodone (0.1 mg/kg/infusion, i. v.) for 6 h daily sessions for 12 days. Each animal had a yoked saline control that received matched saline infusions. Animals were then tested on a progressive ratio schedule to measure motivation to obtain a single infusion of oxycodone. Drug seeking was measured following 28 days of forced abstinence using a 90-min cued/test. RTqPCR was utilized to measure mir182 and mRNA targets related to neuroplasticity (wnt3, plppr4, pou3f3, tle4, cacna2d, and bdnf) from the nucleus accumbens. Data revealed that animals responded on a continuum for oxycodone. When divided into two groups termed high- and low responders, animals diverged during self-administration acquisition and maintained differences in behavior and gene expression throughout the study. mir182 was upregulated in the nucleus accumbens of both high and low responders and negatively correlated with tle4, which showed a strong negative correlation with reinstatement behavior. mRNA target levels were correlated with behaviors associated with increased severity of OUD behavior in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fair M Vassoler
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
| | - Kerri E Budge
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Sara B Isgate
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Kelsea R Gildawie
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Byrnes
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
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Filomena E, Picardi E, Tullo A, Pesole G, D’Erchia AM. Identification of deregulated lncRNAs in Alzheimer's disease: an integrated gene co-expression network analysis of hippocampus and fusiform gyrus RNA-seq datasets. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1437278. [PMID: 39086756 PMCID: PMC11288953 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1437278] [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: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The deregulation of lncRNAs expression has been associated with neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but how or whether they can influence its onset is still unknown. We investigated 2 RNA-seq datasets consisting, respectively, of the hippocampal and fusiform gyrus transcriptomic profile of AD patients, matched with non-demented controls. Methods We performed a differential expression analysis, a gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and a pathway enrichment analysis of two RNA-seq datasets. Results We found deregulated lncRNAs in common between hippocampus and fusiform gyrus and deregulated gene groups associated to functional pathways related to neurotransmission and memory consolidation. lncRNAs, co-expressed with known AD-related coding genes, were identified from the prioritized modules of both brain regions. Discussion We found common deregulated lncRNAs in the AD hippocampus and fusiform gyrus, that could be considered common signatures of AD pathogenesis, providing an important source of information for understanding the molecular changes of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermes Filomena
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Ernesto Picardi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Apollonia Tullo
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Graziano Pesole
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria D’Erchia
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
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Katrinli S, Wani AH, Maihofer AX, Ratanatharathorn A, Daskalakis NP, Montalvo-Ortiz J, Núñez-Ríos DL, Zannas AS, Zhao X, Aiello AE, Ashley-Koch AE, Avetyan D, Baker DG, Beckham JC, Boks MP, Brick LA, Bromet E, Champagne FA, Chen CY, Dalvie S, Dennis MF, Fatumo S, Fortier C, Galea S, Garrett ME, Geuze E, Grant G, Hauser MA, Hayes JP, Hemmings SM, Huber BR, Jajoo A, Jansen S, Kessler RC, Kimbrel NA, King AP, Kleinman JE, Koen N, Koenen KC, Kuan PF, Liberzon I, Linnstaedt SD, Lori A, Luft BJ, Luykx JJ, Marx CE, McLean SA, Mehta D, Milberg W, Miller MW, Mufford MS, Musanabaganwa C, Mutabaruka J, Mutesa L, Nemeroff CB, Nugent NR, Orcutt HK, Qin XJ, Rauch SAM, Ressler KJ, Risbrough VB, Rutembesa E, Rutten BPF, Seedat S, Stein DJ, Stein MB, Toikumo S, Ursano RJ, Uwineza A, Verfaellie MH, Vermetten E, Vinkers CH, Ware EB, Wildman DE, Wolf EJ, Young RM, Zhao Y, van den Heuvel LL, Uddin M, Nievergelt CM, Smith AK, Logue MW. Epigenome-wide association studies identify novel DNA methylation sites associated with PTSD: A meta-analysis of 23 military and civilian cohorts. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.07.15.24310422. [PMID: 39072012 PMCID: PMC11275670 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.15.24310422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Background The occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event is associated with biological differences that can represent the susceptibility to PTSD, the impact of trauma, or the sequelae of PTSD itself. These effects include differences in DNA methylation (DNAm), an important form of epigenetic gene regulation, at multiple CpG loci across the genome. Moreover, these effects can be shared or specific to both central and peripheral tissues. Here, we aim to identify blood DNAm differences associated with PTSD and characterize the underlying biological mechanisms by examining the extent to which they mirror associations across multiple brain regions. Methods As the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) PTSD Epigenetics Workgroup, we conducted the largest cross-sectional meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) of PTSD to date, involving 5077 participants (2156 PTSD cases and 2921 trauma-exposed controls) from 23 civilian and military studies. PTSD diagnosis assessments were harmonized following the standardized guidelines established by the PGC-PTSD Workgroup. DNAm was assayed from blood using either Illumina HumanMethylation450 or MethylationEPIC (850K) BeadChips. A common QC pipeline was applied. Within each cohort, DNA methylation was regressed on PTSD, sex (if applicable), age, blood cell proportions, and ancestry. An inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis was performed. We conducted replication analyses in tissue from multiple brain regions, neuronal nuclei, and a cellular model of prolonged stress. Results We identified 11 CpG sites associated with PTSD in the overall meta-analysis (1.44e-09 < p < 5.30e-08), as well as 14 associated in analyses of specific strata (military vs civilian cohort, sex, and ancestry), including CpGs in AHRR and CDC42BPB . Many of these loci exhibit blood-brain correlation in methylation levels and cross-tissue associations with PTSD in multiple brain regions. Methylation at most CpGs correlated with their annotated gene expression levels. Conclusions This study identifies 11 PTSD-associated CpGs, also leverages data from postmortem brain samples, GWAS, and genome-wide expression data to interpret the biology underlying these associations and prioritize genes whose regulation differs in those with PTSD.
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Dabrowski KR, Daws SE. Morphine-Driven m6A Epitranscriptomic Neuroadaptations in Primary Cortical Cultures. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04219-z. [PMID: 38780720 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States and remains a major public health concern, despite significant resources aimed at combating opioid misuse. Neurobiological research to elucidate molecular and cellular consequences of opioid exposure is required to define avenues to explore for reversal of opioid-induced neuroadaptations. Opioids impart well-documented regulation of the transcriptome and epigenetic modifications in the brain, but opioid-induced epitranscriptomic posttranscriptional regulation of RNA is vastly understudied. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is significantly enriched in the brain and involved in learning, memory, and reward. m6A modifications have not been studied in opioid use disorder, despite being the most common RNA modification. We detected significant regulation of m6A-modifying enzymes in rat primary cortical cultures following morphine treatment, including AlkB Homolog 5 (Alkbh5). The m6a demethylase ALKBH5 functions as an m6A eraser, removing m6A modifications from mRNA. We hypothesized that chronic opioid treatment regulates m6A modifications through modulation of Alkbh5 and profiled m6A modifications in primary cortical cultures following chronic morphine treatment and Alkbh5 knock-down. We observed differential regulation of m6A modifications for a common set of transcripts following morphine or Alkbh5 knock-down, and the two treatments elicited concordant m6A epitranscriptomic profiles, suggesting that a subset of morphine-driven m6A modifications may be mediated through downregulation of Alkbh5 in cortical cultures. Gene Ontology terms of commonly regulated transcripts included serotonin secretion, synapse disassembly, neuron remodeling, and immune response. Thus, we conclude that morphine can drive epitranscriptomic changes, a subset of which may occur in an Alkbh5-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad R Dabrowski
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie E Daws
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Neural Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Yuan Z, Zhu Q, Wu Q, Zhang Z, Guo J, Wu G, Zheng C, Xu Q, Huang D, Cui D. Prognostic and Immune Landscape Analysis of Ubiquitination-related Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Based on Bulk and Single-cell RNA Sequencing Data. J Cancer 2024; 15:2580-2600. [PMID: 38577593 PMCID: PMC10988309 DOI: 10.7150/jca.93425] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite significant advances in tumor immunotherapy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a malignancy with a challenging prognosis. The increasing research emphasizes the crucial role of ubiquitination in tumor immunotherapy. However, the establishment of prognostic signatures based on ubiquitination-related genes (UbRGs) and their role in immunotherapy are still lacking in HCC. Methods: We employed datasets from TCGA and GEO for transcriptome differential expression analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. Applying weighted gene co-expression network analysis, cox regression, lasso, selection and visualization of the most relevant features, and gradient boosting machine, we identified hub UbRGs as a gene signature to develop a prognostic model. We evaluated the predictive utility concerning clinical characteristics as well as its role in the immune landscape and immunotherapy potential. Additionally, western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence were employed to detect the expression and sub-localization of hub genes. Results: Three hub UbRGs (BOP1, CDC20, and UBE2S) were identified as a gene signature. In particular, the high-risk group exhibited notable characteristics, including higher tumor mutation burden, enrichment in immune-related pathways, up-regulation immune checkpoint, and higher immunity scores. Treatment response to immunotherapy varied based on the expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4. Furthermore, single-cell data analysis revealed heterogeneous expression of hub UbRGs across different cell subtypes, while cytological experiments provided additional confirmation of the high expression of hub UbRGs in HCC. Conclusion: Our study provides valuable insights into the identification of novel ubiquitination-related biomarkers with potential applications for prognosis, immunotherapy prediction, and drug sensitivity in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Yuan
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Qingwei Zhu
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Qingsong Wu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Junwei Guo
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Gongqiang Wu
- Department of Hematology, Dongyang People's Hospital of Zhejiang Provincial, Dongyang, 322100, China
| | - Cuiping Zheng
- Department of Hematology and Chemotherapy, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Qiuran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Di Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
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7
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Phan BN, Ray MH, Xue X, Fu C, Fenster RJ, Kohut SJ, Bergman J, Haber SN, McCullough KM, Fish MK, Glausier JR, Su Q, Tipton AE, Lewis DA, Freyberg Z, Tseng GC, Russek SJ, Alekseyev Y, Ressler KJ, Seney ML, Pfenning AR, Logan RW. Single nuclei transcriptomics in human and non-human primate striatum in opioid use disorder. Nat Commun 2024; 15:878. [PMID: 38296993 PMCID: PMC10831093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45165-7] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In brain, the striatum is a heterogenous region involved in reward and goal-directed behaviors. Striatal dysfunction is linked to psychiatric disorders, including opioid use disorder (OUD). Striatal subregions are divided based on neuroanatomy, each with unique roles in OUD. In OUD, the dorsal striatum is involved in altered reward processing, formation of habits, and development of negative affect during withdrawal. Using single nuclei RNA-sequencing, we identified both canonical (e.g., dopamine receptor subtype) and less abundant cell populations (e.g., interneurons) in human dorsal striatum. Pathways related to neurodegeneration, interferon response, and DNA damage were significantly enriched in striatal neurons of individuals with OUD. DNA damage markers were also elevated in striatal neurons of opioid-exposed rhesus macaques. Sex-specific molecular differences in glial cell subtypes associated with chronic stress were found in OUD, particularly female individuals. Together, we describe different cell types in human dorsal striatum and identify cell type-specific alterations in OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- BaDoi N Phan
- Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Madelyn H Ray
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Xiangning Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Chen Fu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Robert J Fenster
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Stephen J Kohut
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Jack Bergman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Suzanne N Haber
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Kenneth M McCullough
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Madeline K Fish
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Jill R Glausier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | - Qiao Su
- Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Allison E Tipton
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | - Zachary Freyberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | - George C Tseng
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Shelley J Russek
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Yuriy Alekseyev
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Marianne L Seney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | - Andreas R Pfenning
- Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Ryan W Logan
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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Zhou M, Chen S, Chen Y, Wang C, Chen C. Causal associations between gut microbiota and regional cortical structure: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1296145. [PMID: 38196849 PMCID: PMC10774226 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1296145] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Observational studies have reported associations between gut microbiota composition and central nervous system diseases. However, the potential causal relationships and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we applied Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal effects of gut microbiota on cortical surface area (SA) and thickness (TH) in the brain. Methods We used genome-wide association study summary statistics of gut microbiota abundance in 18,340 individuals from the MiBioGen Consortium to identify genetic instruments for 196 gut microbial taxa. We then analyzed data from 56,761 individuals from the ENIGMA Consortium to examine associations of genetically predicted gut microbiota with alterations in cortical SA and TH globally and across 34 functional brain regions. Inverse-variance weighted analysis was used as the primary MR method, with MR Egger regression, MR-PRESSO, Cochran's Q test, and leave-one-out analysis to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results At the functional region level, genetically predicted higher abundance of class Mollicutes was associated with greater SA of the medial orbitofrontal cortex (β = 8.39 mm2, 95% CI: 3.08-13.70 mm2, p = 0.002), as was higher abundance of phylum Tenericutes (β = 8.39 mm2, 95% CI: 3.08-13.70 mm2, p = 0.002). Additionally, higher abundance of phylum Tenericutes was associated with greater SA of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (β = 10.51 mm2, 95% CI: 3.24-17.79 mm2, p = 0.0046). No evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy was detected. Conclusion Specific gut microbiota may causally influence cortical structure in brain regions involved in neuropsychiatric disorders. The findings provide evidence for a gut-brain axis influencing cortical development, particularly in the orbitofrontal cortex during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maochao Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Song Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | | | - Chunmei Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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Falconnier C, Caparros-Roissard A, Decraene C, Lutz PE. Functional genomic mechanisms of opioid action and opioid use disorder: a systematic review of animal models and human studies. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4568-4584. [PMID: 37723284 PMCID: PMC10914629 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02238-1] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, over-prescription of opioids for pain management has driven a steep increase in opioid use disorder (OUD) and death by overdose, exerting a dramatic toll on western countries. OUD is a chronic relapsing disease associated with a lifetime struggle to control drug consumption, suggesting that opioids trigger long-lasting brain adaptations, notably through functional genomic and epigenomic mechanisms. Current understanding of these processes, however, remain scarce, and have not been previously reviewed systematically. To do so, the goal of the present work was to synthesize current knowledge on genome-wide transcriptomic and epigenetic mechanisms of opioid action, in primate and rodent species. Using a prospectively registered methodology, comprehensive literature searches were completed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Of the 2709 articles identified, 73 met our inclusion criteria and were considered for qualitative analysis. Focusing on the 5 most studied nervous system structures (nucleus accumbens, frontal cortex, whole striatum, dorsal striatum, spinal cord; 44 articles), we also conducted a quantitative analysis of differentially expressed genes, in an effort to identify a putative core transcriptional signature of opioids. Only one gene, Cdkn1a, was consistently identified in eleven studies, and globally, our results unveil surprisingly low consistency across published work, even when considering most recent single-cell approaches. Analysis of sources of variability detected significant contributions from species, brain structure, duration of opioid exposure, strain, time-point of analysis, and batch effects, but not type of opioid. To go beyond those limitations, we leveraged threshold-free methods to illustrate how genome-wide comparisons may generate new findings and hypotheses. Finally, we discuss current methodological development in the field, and their implication for future research and, ultimately, better care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Falconnier
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alba Caparros-Roissard
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Charles Decraene
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives UMR 7364, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre-Eric Lutz
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives UPR 3212, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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