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Bautista-Abad Á, García-Magro N, Pinto-Benito D, Cáceres-Pajuelo JE, Alises CV, Ganchala D, Lagunas N, Negredo P, García-Segura LM, Arevalo MA, Grassi D. Aging is associated with sex-specific alteration in the expression of genes encoding for neuroestradiol synthesis and signaling proteins in the mouse trigeminal somatosensory input. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01268-z. [PMID: 38954130 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01268-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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain perception is influenced by sex and aging, with previous studies indicating the involvement of aromatase, the estradiol synthase enzyme, in regulating pain perception. Previous research has established the presence of aromatase in dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons and its role in modulating pain perception. The present study aims to explore the implications of aging and sex on the expression of aromatase and estrogen receptors in the trigeminal ganglion. The study examined mRNA levels of aromatase, ERs, and the androgen receptor (AR) in the trigeminal ganglion of 3-month-old and 27-month-old male and female mice, as well as 3-month-old mice from the four-core genotype (FCG) transgenic model. The latter facilitates the assessment of gonadal hormone and sex chromosome implications for sex-specific traits. Aromatase localization in the ganglion was further assessed through immunohistochemistry. Aromatase immunoreactivity was observed for the first time in sensory neurons within the trigeminal ganglion. Trigeminal ganglion gene expressions were detected for aromatase, ERs, and AR in both sexes. Aromatase, ERβ, and GPER gene expressions were higher in young males versus young females. Analyses of the FCG model indicated that sex differences depended solely on gonadal sex. The aging process induced an enhancement in the expression of aromatase, ERs, and AR genes across both sexes, culminating in a reversal of the previously observed gender-based differences. the potential impact of estrogen synthesis and signaling in the trigeminal ganglion on age and sex differences warrants consideration, particularly in relation to trigeminal sensory functions and pain perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Bautista-Abad
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria García-Magro
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Ctra. Pozuelo-Majadahonda Km 1,800, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Pinto-Benito
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Eduardo Cáceres-Pajuelo
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Vicente Alises
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Danny Ganchala
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Lagunas
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Negredo
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel García-Segura
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Angeles Arevalo
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniela Grassi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid, Spain.
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Grissom NM, Glewwe N, Chen C, Giglio E. Sex mechanisms as nonbinary influences on cognitive diversity. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105544. [PMID: 38643533 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105544] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Essentially all neuropsychiatric diagnoses show some degree of sex and/or gender differences in their etiology, diagnosis, or prognosis. As a result, the roles of sex-related variables in behavior and cognition are of strong interest to many, with several lines of research showing effects on executive functions and value-based decision making in particular. These findings are often framed within a sex binary, with behavior of females described as less optimal than male "defaults"-- a framing that pits males and females against each other and deemphasizes the enormous overlap in fundamental neural mechanisms across sexes. Here, we propose an alternative framework in which sex-related factors encompass just one subset of many sources of valuable diversity in cognition. First, we review literature establishing multidimensional, nonbinary impacts of factors related to sex chromosomes and endocrine mechanisms on cognition, focusing on value- based decision-making tasks. Next, we present two suggestions for nonbinary interpretations and analyses of sex-related data that can be implemented by behavioral neuroscientists without devoting laboratory resources to delving into mechanisms underlying sex differences. We recommend (1) shifting interpretations of behavior away from performance metrics and towards strategy assessments to avoid the fallacy that the performance of one sex is worse than another; and (2) asking how much variance sex explains in measures and whether any differences are mosaic rather than binary, to avoid assuming that sex differences in separate measures are inextricably correlated. Nonbinary frameworks in research on cognition will allow neuroscience to represent the full spectrum of brains and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola M Grissom
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, United States of America.
| | - Nic Glewwe
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Cathy Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Erin Giglio
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, United States of America
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Garcia-Segura LM, Méndez P, Arevalo MA, Azcoitia I. Neuroestradiol and neuronal development: Not an exclusive male tale anymore. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101102. [PMID: 37689249 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101102] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The brain synthesizes a variety of neurosteroids, including neuroestradiol. Inhibition of neuroestradiol synthesis results in alterations in basic neurodevelopmental processes, such as neurogenesis, neuroblast migration, neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis. Although the neurodevelopmental actions of neuroestradiol are exerted in both sexes, some of them are sex-specific, such as the well characterized effects of neuroestradiol derived from the metabolism of testicular testosterone during critical periods of male brain development. In addition, recent findings have shown sex-specific actions of neuroestradiol on neuroblast migration, neuritic growth and synaptogenesis in females. Among other factors, the epigenetic regulation exerted by X linked genes, such as Kdm6a/Utx, may determine sex-specific actions of neuroestradiol in the female brain. This review evidences the impact of neuroestradiol on brain formation in both sexes and highlights the interaction of neural steriodogenesis, hormones and sex chromosomes in sex-specific brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pablo Méndez
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Iñigo Azcoitia
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C José Antonio Nováis 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Stanelle-Bertram S, Beck S, Mounogou NK, Schaumburg B, Stoll F, Al Jawazneh A, Schmal Z, Bai T, Zickler M, Beythien G, Becker K, de la Roi M, Heinrich F, Schulz C, Sauter M, Krasemann S, Lange P, Heinemann A, van Riel D, Leijten L, Bauer L, van den Bosch TPP, Lopuhaä B, Busche T, Wibberg D, Schaudien D, Goldmann T, Lüttjohann A, Ruschinski J, Jania H, Müller Z, Pinho Dos Reis V, Krupp-Buzimkic V, Wolff M, Fallerini C, Baldassarri M, Furini S, Norwood K, Käufer C, Schützenmeister N, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Schroeder M, Jarczak D, Nierhaus A, Welte T, Kluge S, McHardy AC, Sommer F, Kalinowski J, Krauss-Etschmann S, Richter F, von der Thüsen J, Baumgärtner W, Klingel K, Ondruschka B, Renieri A, Gabriel G. CYP19A1 mediates severe SARS-CoV-2 disease outcome in males. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101152. [PMID: 37572667 PMCID: PMC10518605 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Male sex represents one of the major risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcome. However, underlying mechanisms that mediate sex-dependent disease outcome are as yet unknown. Here, we identify the CYP19A1 gene encoding for the testosterone-to-estradiol metabolizing enzyme CYP19A1 (also known as aromatase) as a host factor that contributes to worsened disease outcome in SARS-CoV-2-infected males. We analyzed exome sequencing data obtained from a human COVID-19 cohort (n = 2,866) using a machine-learning approach and identify a CYP19A1-activity-increasing mutation to be associated with the development of severe disease in men but not women. We further analyzed human autopsy-derived lungs (n = 86) and detect increased pulmonary CYP19A1 expression at the time point of death in men compared with women. In the golden hamster model, we show that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes increased CYP19A1 expression in the lung that is associated with dysregulated plasma sex hormone levels and reduced long-term pulmonary function in males but not females. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters with a clinically approved CYP19A1 inhibitor (letrozole) improves impaired lung function and supports recovery of imbalanced sex hormones specifically in males. Our study identifies CYP19A1 as a contributor to sex-specific SARS-CoV-2 disease outcome in males. Furthermore, inhibition of CYP19A1 by the clinically approved drug letrozole may furnish a new therapeutic strategy for individualized patient management and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebastian Beck
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nancy Kouassi Mounogou
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Berfin Schaumburg
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Stoll
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Amirah Al Jawazneh
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Zoé Schmal
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tian Bai
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Zickler
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Georg Beythien
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Becker
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Madeleine de la Roi
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fabian Heinrich
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Schulz
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martina Sauter
- Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Susanne Krasemann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Core Facility Experimental Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philine Lange
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Heinemann
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Debby van Riel
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lonneke Leijten
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa Bauer
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Boaz Lopuhaä
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tobias Busche
- Medical School East Westphalia-Lippe & Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Daniel Wibberg
- Microbial Genomics and Biotechnology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Dirk Schaudien
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
| | - Torsten Goldmann
- Pathology of the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck and the Research Center Borstel, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Center for Medicine and Biosciences, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Anna Lüttjohann
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jenny Ruschinski
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Jania
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Zacharias Müller
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Vanessa Krupp-Buzimkic
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Wolff
- Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Disease, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Chiara Fallerini
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Margherita Baldassarri
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Simone Furini
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Katrina Norwood
- Department for Computational Biology of Infection Research, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christopher Käufer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maria Schroeder
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Jarczak
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Nierhaus
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Welte
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Kluge
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alice C McHardy
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany; Department for Computational Biology of Infection Research, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany; Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2355), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Sommer
- Division Men's Health, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Microbial Genomics and Biotechnology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Disease, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany; Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Franziska Richter
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan von der Thüsen
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karin Klingel
- Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Gülsah Gabriel
- Department for Viral Zoonoses - One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany.
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Le AL, Lynch WJ, Rissman EF. Sex Chromosome Complement and Estradiol Modify Cocaine Self-Administration Behaviors in Male Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1177-1188. [PMID: 37348474 DOI: 10.1159/000531648] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women are more vulnerable to cocaine's reinforcing effects and have a more rapid course to addiction after initial cocaine use as compared to men. Studies in rodents similarly indicate an enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of cocaine in females versus males. Levels of estradiol (E2) are correlated with vulnerability to the rewarding actions of cocaine. Here, we asked if sex chromosome complement (SCC) influences vulnerability to cocaine use. METHODS We used the four-core genotype mouse that produces gonadal males and females with either XX or XY SCC. Mice were gonadectomized and implanted with either an estradiol (E2) or cholesterol-filled pellet. This allowed us to determine the effects of SCC in the absence (cholesterol-treated) and presence of tonic high physiological hormone levels (estradiol). Acquisition of cocaine self-administration was determined over a 12-day period using an escalated dose procedure (0.3 mg/kg/infusion, sessions 1-6; 0.6 mg/kg/infusion, sessions 6-12). RESULTS Without estradiol treatment, a greater percentage of castrated XY mice acquired cocaine self-administration and did so at a faster rate than XX castrates and ovariectomized XY females. These same XY males acquired sooner, infused more cocaine, and directed more nose pokes to the rewarded nose-poke hole than XX castrates and XY males receiving E2. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that in gonadal male mice, SCC and estradiol can modulate the reinforcing effects of cocaine which may influence the likelihood of cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Le
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wendy J Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Emilie F Rissman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Cabrera Zapata LE, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ, Arevalo MA. Genetics and Epigenetics of the X and Y Chromosomes in the Sexual Differentiation of the Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012288. [PMID: 36293143 PMCID: PMC9603441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
For many decades to date, neuroendocrinologists have delved into the key contribution of gonadal hormones to the generation of sex differences in the developing brain and the expression of sex-specific physiological and behavioral phenotypes in adulthood. However, it was not until recent years that the role of sex chromosomes in the matter started to be seriously explored and unveiled beyond gonadal determination. Now we know that the divergent evolutionary process suffered by X and Y chromosomes has determined that they now encode mostly dissimilar genetic information and are subject to different epigenetic regulations, characteristics that together contribute to generate sex differences between XX and XY cells/individuals from the zygote throughout life. Here we will review and discuss relevant data showing how particular X- and Y-linked genes and epigenetic mechanisms controlling their expression and inheritance are involved, along with or independently of gonadal hormones, in the generation of sex differences in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas E. Cabrera Zapata
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Julia Cambiasso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra (INIMEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina
- Cátedra de Biología Celular, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Maria Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal (IC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.J.C.); (M.A.A.)
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Stockman SL, Kight KE, Bowers JM, McCarthy MM. Neurogenesis in the neonatal rat hippocampus is regulated by sexually dimorphic epigenetic modifiers. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:9. [PMID: 35255959 PMCID: PMC8900308 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurogenesis in the hippocampus endures across the lifespan but is particularly prolific during the first postnatal week in the developing rodent brain. The majority of new born neurons are in the dentate gyrus (DG). The number of new neurons born during the first postnatal week in the DG of male rat pups is about double the number in females. In other systems, the rate of cell proliferation is controlled by epigenetic modifications in stem cells. We, therefore, explored the potential impact of DNA methylation and histone acetylation on cell genesis in the developing DG of male and female rats.
Methods Cell genesis was assessed by quantification of BrdU + cells in the DG of neonatal rats following injections on multiple days. Methylation and acetylation were manipulated pharmacologically by injection of well vetted drugs. DNA methylation, histone acetylation and associated enzyme activity were measured using commercially available colorimetric assays. mRNA was quantified by PCR. Multiple group comparisons were made by one- or two-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc tests controlling for multiple comparisons. Two groups were compared by t test. Results We found higher levels of DNA methylation in male DG and treatment with the DNA methylating enzyme inhibitor zebularine reduced the methylation and correspondingly reduced cell genesis. The same treatment had no impact on either measure in females. By contrast, treatment with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin-A, increased histone acetylation in the DG of both sexes but increased cell genesis only in females. Females had higher baseline histone deacetylase activity and greater inhibition in response to trichostatin-A treatment. The mRNA levels of the proproliferative gene brain-derived neurotrophic factor were greater in males and reduced by inhibiting both DNA methylation and histone deacetylation only in males.
Conclusions These data reveal a sexually dimorphic epigenetically based regulation of neurogenesis in the DG but the mechanisms establishing the distinct regulation involving DNA methylation in males and histone acetylation in females is unknown. Neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus peaks in the early postnatal period and in the laboratory rat is significantly greater in males than females. Here we report divergent regulation of cell genesis in the neonatal dentate gyrus. DNA methylation is a critical regulator of the higher rates of proliferation in males. Conversely, histone acetylation is essential for cell genesis in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Stockman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - K E Kight
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - J M Bowers
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - M M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,University of Maryland Baltimore, Program in Neuroscience, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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Rossetti MF, Varayoud J, Ramos JG. Steroidogenic enzymes in the hippocampus: Transcriptional regulation aspects. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2022; 118:171-198. [PMID: 35180926 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are steroids synthesized de novo from cholesterol in brain regions, and regulate processes associated with the development and functioning of the nervous system. Enzymes and proteins involved in the synthesis of these steroids have been detected in several brain regions, including hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex. Hippocampus has long been associated with learning and memory functions, while the loss of its functionality has been linked to neurodegenerative pathologies. In this sense, neurosteroids are critical for the maintenance of hippocampal functions and neuroprotective effects. Moreover, several factors have been shown to deregulate expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the rodent brain, including aging, enrichment experiences, diet habits, drug/alcohol consumption, hormone fluctuations, neurodegenerative processes and other diseases. These transcriptional deregulations are mediated mainly by transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms. An epigenetic modification of chromatin involves changes in bases and associated proteins in the absence of changes in the DNA sequence. One of the most well-studied mechanisms related to gene silencing is DNA methylation, which involves a reversible addition of methyl groups in a cytosine base. Importantly, these epigenetic marks could be maintained over time and could be transmitted transgenerationally. The aim of this chapter is to present the most relevant steroidogenic enzymes described in rodent hippocampus; to discuss about their transcriptional regulation under different conditions; to show the main gene control regions and to propose DNA methylation as an epigenetic mechanism through which the expression of these enzymes could be controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Rossetti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge Guillermo Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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9
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Brann DW, Lu Y, Wang J, Zhang Q, Thakkar R, Sareddy GR, Pratap UP, Tekmal RR, Vadlamudi RK. Brain-derived estrogen and neural function. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:793-817. [PMID: 34823913 PMCID: PMC8816863 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Although classically known as an endocrine signal produced by the ovary, 17β-estradiol (E2) is also a neurosteroid produced in neurons and astrocytes in the brain of many different species. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the localization, regulation, sex differences, and physiological/pathological roles of brain-derived E2 (BDE2). Much of what we know regarding the functional roles of BDE2 has come from studies using specific inhibitors of the E2 synthesis enzyme, aromatase, as well as the recent development of conditional forebrain neuron-specific and astrocyte-specific aromatase knockout mouse models. The evidence from these studies support a critical role for neuron-derived E2 (NDE2) in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, memory, socio-sexual behavior, sexual differentiation, reproduction, injury-induced reactive gliosis, and neuroprotection. Furthermore, we review evidence that astrocyte-derived E2 (ADE2) is induced following brain injury/ischemia, and plays a key role in reactive gliosis, neuroprotection, and cognitive preservation. Finally, we conclude by discussing the key controversies and challenges in this area, as well as potential future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell W Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| | - Yujiao Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Roshni Thakkar
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Gangadhara R Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Uday P Pratap
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Rajeshwar R Tekmal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA; Audie L. Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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10
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Gata-Garcia A, Porat A, Brimberg L, Volpe BT, Huerta PT, Diamond B. Contributions of Sex Chromosomes and Gonadal Hormones to the Male Bias in a Maternal Antibody-Induced Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurol 2021; 12:721108. [PMID: 34721260 PMCID: PMC8548617 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.721108] [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: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that is four times more commonly diagnosed in males than females. While susceptibility genes located in the sex chromosomes have been identified in ASD, it is unclear whether they are sufficient to explain the male bias or whether gonadal hormones also play a key role. We evaluated the sex chromosomal and hormonal influences on the male bias in a murine model of ASD, in which mice are exposed in utero to a maternal antibody reactive to contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Caspr2), which was originally cloned from a mother of a child with ASD (termed C6 mice henceforth). In this model, only male mice are affected. We used the four-core-genotypes (FCG) model in which the Sry gene is deleted from the Y chromosome (Y−) and inserted into autosome 3 (TgSry). Thus, by combining the C6 and FCG models, we were able to differentiate the contributions of sex chromosomes and gonadal hormones to the development of fetal brain and adult behavioral phenotypes. We show that the presence of the Y chromosome, or lack of two X chromosomes, irrespective of gonadal sex, increased the susceptibility to C6-induced phenotypes including the abnormal growth of the developing fetal cerebral cortex, as well as a behavioral pattern of decreased open-field exploration in adult mice. Our results indicate that sex chromosomes are the main determinant of the male bias in the maternal C6-induced model of ASD. The less dominant hormonal effect may be due to modulation by sex chromosome genes of factors involved in gonadal hormone pathways in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Gata-Garcia
- Center for Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
| | - Amit Porat
- Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Lior Brimberg
- Center for Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Bruce T Volpe
- Center for Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Patricio T Huerta
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States.,Laboratory of Immune and Neural Networks, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Betty Diamond
- Center for Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
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11
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X-linked histone H3K27 demethylase Kdm6a regulates sexually dimorphic differentiation of hypothalamic neurons. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7043-7060. [PMID: 34633482 PMCID: PMC8558156 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03945-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Several X-linked genes are involved in neuronal differentiation and may contribute to the generation of sex dimorphisms in the brain. Previous results showed that XX hypothalamic neurons grow faster, have longer axons, and exhibit higher expression of the neuritogenic gene neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) than XY before perinatal masculinization. Here we evaluated the participation of candidate X-linked genes in the development of these sex differences, focusing mainly on Kdm6a, a gene encoding for an H3K27 demethylase with functions controlling gene expression genome-wide. We established hypothalamic neuronal cultures from wild-type or transgenic Four Core Genotypes mice, a model that allows evaluating the effect of sex chromosomes independently of gonadal type. X-linked genes Kdm6a, Eif2s3x and Ddx3x showed higher expression in XX compared to XY neurons, regardless of gonadal sex. Moreover, Kdm6a expression pattern with higher mRNA levels in XX than XY did not change with age at E14, P0, and P60 in hypothalamus or under 17β-estradiol treatment in culture. Kdm6a pharmacological blockade by GSK-J4 reduced axonal length only in female neurons and decreased the expression of neuritogenic genes Neurod1, Neurod2 and Cdk5r1 in both sexes equally, while a sex-specific effect was observed in Ngn3. Finally, Kdm6a downregulation using siRNA reduced axonal length and Ngn3 expression only in female neurons, abolishing the sex differences observed in control conditions. Altogether, these results point to Kdm6a as a key mediator of the higher axogenesis and Ngn3 expression observed in XX neurons before the critical period of brain masculinization.
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12
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Gambioli R, Montanino Oliva M, Nordio M, Chiefari A, Puliani G, Unfer V. New Insights into the Activities of D-Chiro-Inositol: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101378. [PMID: 34680494 PMCID: PMC8533370 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a natural compound detectable in cell membranes, which is highly conserved as a biological signaling molecule. In mammals, its function is primarily characterized in the intracellular transduction cascade of insulin. In particular, insulin signal promotes the release of pivotal DCI-containing molecules. In fact, impaired release of DCI is a common feature of insulin-resistant tissues, and insulin-sensitizing pharmaceuticals induce higher concentrations of free DCI. Moreover, it also plays important roles in several other processes. DCI is involved in the regulation of steroidogenesis, due to its regulatory effects on steroidogenic enzymes, including 17α-hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and aromatase. Such regulation of various enzymes indicates a mechanism by which the body regulates different processes via a single molecule, depending on its concentration. DCI also reduces the expression of integrin β3, which is an adhesion molecule involved in embryo implantation and cellular phenomena such as survival, stemness, and invasiveness. In addition, DCI seems to have important anti-inflammatory activities, like its 3-O-methyl-ether, called pinitol. In vitro evidence demonstrates that treatment with both compounds induces a reduction in pro-inflammatory factors—such as Nf-κB—and cytokines—such as TNF-α. DCI then plays important roles in several fundamental processes in physiology. Therefore, research on such molecule is of primary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario Montanino Oliva
- The Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research (EGOI), 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.M.O.); (M.N.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santo Spirito Hospital, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Nordio
- The Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research (EGOI), 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.M.O.); (M.N.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonsina Chiefari
- Oncological Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Giulia Puliani
- Oncological Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Vittorio Unfer
- The Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research (EGOI), 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.M.O.); (M.N.)
- System Biology Group Lab, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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13
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Arnold ML, Saijo K. Estrogen Receptor β as a Candidate Regulator of Sex Differences in the Maternal Immune Activation Model of ASD. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:717411. [PMID: 34531723 PMCID: PMC8438209 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.717411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Interestingly, more males are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than females, yet the mechanism behind this difference is unclear. Genes on the sex chromosomes and differential regulation by sex steroid hormones and their receptors are both candidate mechanisms to explain this sex-dependent phenotype. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a large family of transcription factors, including sex hormone receptors, that mediate ligand-dependent transcription and may play key roles in sex-specific regulation of immunity and brain development. Infection during pregnancy is known to increase the probability of developing ASD in humans, and a mouse model of maternal immune activation (MIA), which is induced by injecting innate immune stimulants into pregnant wild-type mice, is commonly used to study ASD. Since this model successfully recaptures the behavioral phenotypes and male bias observed in ASD, we will discuss the potential role of sex steroid hormones and their receptors, especially focusing on estrogen receptor (ER)β, in MIA and how this signaling may modulate transcription and subsequent inflammation in myeloid-lineage cells to contribute to the etiology of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline L Arnold
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Kaoru Saijo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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14
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Li Q, Du X, Liu L, Liu H, Pan Z, Li Q. Upregulation of miR-146b promotes porcine ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis by attenuating CYP19A1. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2021; 74:106509. [PMID: 32653739 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21- to 24-nucleotide long small noncoding RNAs, which play an important role in follicular atresia and granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis in the mammalian ovary. Here, we report that miR-146b, a conserved and ovary-enriched miRNA, modulates estradiol (E2) secretion, GC apoptosis, and follicular atresia in pigs. Genome-wide analysis and quantitative real-time PCR revealed that miR-146b was significantly upregulated during follicular atresia, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting showed that miR-146b functioned as a proapoptotic factor to induce GC apoptosis. MicroRNA-mRNA network analysis and luciferase reporter assays showed that CYP19A1, the pivotal enzyme for E2 synthesis signaling, was directly targeted by miR-146b. Furthermore, miR-146b interacted with the 3'untranslated region of CYP19A1 to prevent translation, thereby regulating CYP19A1-mediated E2 secretion and GC apoptosis. However, miR-146b was not regulated by the transcription factor SMAD4 or oxidative stress, both of which are critical regulators of CYP19A1. We, thus, conclude that miR-146b is a novel epigenetic factor regulating GC functions, follicular development, and female reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - X Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - L Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - H Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Z Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Q Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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15
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Arnold AP. Four Core Genotypes and XY* mouse models: Update on impact on SABV research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:1-8. [PMID: 32980399 PMCID: PMC7736196 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The impact of two mouse models is reviewed, the Four Core Genotypes and XY* models. The models are useful for determining if the causes of sex differences in phenotypes are either hormonal or sex chromosomal, or both. Used together, the models also can distinguish between the effects of X or Y chromosome genes that contribute to sex differences in phenotypes. To date, the models have been used to uncover sex chromosome contributions to sex differences in a wide variety of phenotypes, including brain and behavior, autoimmunity and immunity, cardiovascular disease, metabolism, and Alzheimer's Disease. In some cases, use of the models has been a strategy leading to discovery of specific X or Y genes that protect from or exacerbate disease. Sex chromosome and hormonal factors interact, in some cases to reduce the effects of each other. Future progress will come from more extensive application of these models, and development of similar models in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, University of California, UCLA, 610 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7239, United States.
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16
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Harp SJ, Martini M, Lynch WJ, Rissman EF. Sexual Differentiation and Substance Use: A Mini-Review. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa129. [PMID: 32761086 PMCID: PMC7438703 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The organizational/activational hypothesis suggests that gonadal steroid hormones like testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) are important at 2 different times during the lifespan when they perform 2 different functions. First steroids "organize" brain structures early in life and during puberty, and in adults these same hormones "activate" sexually dimorphic behaviors. This hypothesis has been tested and proven valid for a large number of behaviors (learning, memory, social, and sexual behaviors). Sex differences in drug addiction are well established both for humans and animal models. Previous research in this field has focused primarily on cocaine self-administration by rats. Traditionally, observed sex differences have been explained by the sex-specific concentrations of gonadal hormones present at the time of the drug-related behavior. Studies with gonadectomized rodents establishes an activational role for E2 that facilitates vulnerability in females, and when E2 is combined with progesterone, addiction is attenuated. Literature on organizational actions of steroids is sparse but predicts that T, after it is aromatized to E2, changes aspects of the neural reward system. Here we summarize these data and propose that sex chromosome complement also plays a role in determining sex-specific drug-taking behavior. Future research is needed to disentangle the effects of hormones and sex chromosome complement, and we propose the four core genotype mouse model as an effective tool for answering these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Harp
- Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Mariangela Martini
- Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Wendy J Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Emilie F Rissman
- Center for Human Health and the Environment and Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
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17
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Cisternas CD, Cabrera Zapata LE, Mir FR, Scerbo MJ, Arevalo MA, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ. Estradiol-dependent axogenesis and Ngn3 expression are determined by XY sex chromosome complement in hypothalamic neurons. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8223. [PMID: 32427857 PMCID: PMC7237695 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65183-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic neurons show sex differences in neuritogenesis, female neurons have longer axons and higher levels of the neuritogenic factor neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) than male neurons in vitro. Moreover, the effect of 17-β-estradiol (E2) on axonal growth and Ngn3 expression is only found in male-derived neurons. To investigate whether sex chromosomes regulate these early sex differences in neuritogenesis by regulating the E2 effect on Ngn3, we evaluated the growth and differentiation of hypothalamic neurons derived from the “four core genotypes” mouse model, in which the factors of “gonadal sex” and “sex chromosome complement” are dissociated. We showed that sex differences in neurite outgrowth are determined by sex chromosome complement (XX > XY). Moreover, E2 increased the mRNA expression of Ngn3 and axonal length only in XY neurons. ERα/β expressions are regulated by sex chromosome complement; however, E2-effect on Ngn3 expression in XY neurons was only fully reproduced by PPT, a specific ligand of ERα, and prevented by MPP, a specific antagonist of ERα. Together our data indicate that sex chromosomes regulate early development of hypothalamic neurons by orchestrating not only sex differences in neuritogenesis, but also regulating the effect of E2 on Ngn3 expression through activation of ERα in hypothalamic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Daniela Cisternas
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología -Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Lucas Ezequiel Cabrera Zapata
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Franco Rafael Mir
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Julia Scerbo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Ciber de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Ciber de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Julia Cambiasso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. .,Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología -Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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18
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Giatti S, Diviccaro S, Serafini MM, Caruso D, Garcia-Segura LM, Viviani B, Melcangi RC. Sex differences in steroid levels and steroidogenesis in the nervous system: Physiopathological role. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 56:100804. [PMID: 31689419 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system, in addition to be a target for steroid hormones, is the source of a variety of neuroactive steroids, which are synthesized and metabolized by neurons and glial cells. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of neurosteroidogenic proteins and enzymes and the levels of neuroactive steroids are different in the nervous system of males and females. We here summarized the state of the art of neuroactive steroids, particularly taking in consideration sex differences occurring in the synthesis and levels of these molecules. In addition, we discuss the consequences of sex differences in neurosteroidogenesis for the function of the nervous system under healthy and pathological conditions and the implications of neuroactive steroids and neurosteroidogenesis for the development of sex-specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Diviccaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Melania Maria Serafini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Donatella Caruso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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19
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Honda SI, Harada N. ARP-1 Regulates the Transcriptional Activity of the Aromatase Gene in the Mouse Brain. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:306. [PMID: 32582022 PMCID: PMC7283458 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An important function of aromatase in the brain is conversion of testosterone secreted from the testis into estradiol. Estradiol produced in the brain is thought to be deeply involved in the formation of sexually dimorphic nuclei and sexual behavior as a neurosteroid. We analyzed the brain-specific promoter to elucidate the control mechanisms of brain aromatase expression that may be highly involved in sexual differentiation of the brain. The 202-bp upstream region of the brain-specific exon 1 has three types of cis-acting elements, aro-AI, AII, and B. We isolated ARP-1 as an aro-AII-binding protein by yeast one-hybrid screening from a cDNA library of mouse fetal brains. ARP-1 is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and functions as an orphan-type transcription factor. ARP-1 protein synthesized in vitro showed the same binding property to the aro-AII site as nuclear extract from fetal brains. To determine how the promoter is involved in brain-specific transcription of the aromatase gene, we first detected the in vivo occupancy of the aro-AII site by ARP-1 using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Diencephalic regions of fetal brains at embryonic day 16 were analyzed, which revealed ARP-1 recruitment to the aro-AII site. To analyze the effects of ARP-1 on transcriptional regulation of the brain-specific aromatase promoter, a luciferase reporter plasmid driven by the brain-specific promoter was transfected into CV-1 cells together with a plasmid expressing ARP-1 protein. These analyses revealed that ARP-1 induced promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, to determine whether ARP-1 is required for aromatase expression in neurons, ARP-1 knockdown was conducted in neuronal cell primary culture. Knockdown of ARP-1 significantly suppressed the increase in aromatase mRNA observed in cultured neurons. These results indicate that ARP-1 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of the brain-specific promoter of the aromatase gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-ichiro Honda
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
- *Correspondence: Shin-ichiro Honda
| | - Nobuhiro Harada
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
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20
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Azcoitia I, Barreto GE, Garcia-Segura LM. Molecular mechanisms and cellular events involved in the neuroprotective actions of estradiol. Analysis of sex differences. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100787. [PMID: 31513774 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol, either from peripheral or central origin, activates multiple molecular neuroprotective and neuroreparative responses that, being mediated by estrogen receptors or by estrogen receptor independent mechanisms, are initiated at the membrane, the cytoplasm or the cell nucleus of neural cells. Estrogen-dependent signaling regulates a variety of cellular events, such as intracellular Ca2+ levels, mitochondrial respiratory capacity, ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, autophagy and apoptosis. In turn, these molecular and cellular actions of estradiol are integrated by neurons and non-neuronal cells to generate different tissue protective responses, decreasing blood-brain barrier permeability, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity and promoting synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, neurogenesis, remyelination and neuroregeneration. Recent findings indicate that the neuroprotective and neuroreparative actions of estradiol are different in males and females and further research is necessary to fully elucidate the causes for this sex difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Azcoitia
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludables (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - George E Barreto
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludables (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
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21
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Cisternas CD, Cortes LR, Bruggeman EC, Yao B, Forger NG. Developmental changes and sex differences in DNA methylation and demethylation in hypothalamic regions of the mouse brain. Epigenetics 2019; 15:72-84. [PMID: 31378140 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1649528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is dynamically modulated during postnatal brain development, and plays a key role in neuronal lineage commitment. This epigenetic mark has also recently been implicated in the development of neural sex differences, many of which are found in the hypothalamus. The level of DNA methylation depends on a balance between the placement of methyl marks by DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) and their removal, which is catalyzed by ten-eleven translocation (Tet) methylcytosine dioxygenases. Here, we examined developmental changes and sex differences in the expression of Tet and Dnmt enzymes from birth to adulthood in two hypothalamic regions (the preoptic area and ventromedial nucleus) and the hippocampus of mice. We found highest expression of all Tet enzymes (Tet1, Tet2, Tet3) and Dnmts (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b) in newborns, despite the fact that global methylation and hydroxymethylation were at their lowest levels at birth. Expression of the Dnmt co-activator, Dnmt3l, followed a pattern opposite to that of the canonical Dnmts (i.e., was very low in newborns and increased with age). Tet enzyme activity was much higher at birth than at weaning in both the hypothalamus and hippocampus, mirroring developmental changes in gene expression. Sex differences in Tet enzyme expression were seen in all brain regions examined during the first week of life, whereas Dnmt expression was more balanced between the sexes. Neonatal testosterone treatment of females only partially masculinized enzyme expression. Thus, Tet expression and activity are elevated during neonatal brain development, and may play important roles in sexual differentiation of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla D Cisternas
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laura R Cortes
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily C Bruggeman
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nancy G Forger
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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22
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Ikeda Y, Kato-Inui T, Tagami A, Maekawa M. Expression of progesterone receptor, estrogen receptors α and β, and kisspeptin in the hypothalamus during perinatal development of gonad-lacking steroidogenic factor-1 knockout mice. Brain Res 2019; 1712:167-179. [PMID: 30776325 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Gonadal hormones contribute to brain sexual differentiation. We analyzed expression of progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor-α (ERα), ERβ, and kisspeptin, in the preoptic area (POA) and/or the arcuate nucleus (ARC), in gonad-lacking steroidogenic factor-1 knockout (KO) mice during perinatal development. At postnatal-day (P) 0-P7, POA PR levels were higher in wild-type (WT) males compared with WT females, while those in KO males were lower than in WT males and similar to those in WT and KO females. At P14-P21, PR levels in all groups increased similarly. POA ERα levels were similar in all groups at embryonic-day (E) 15.5-P14. Those in WT but not KO males reduced during postnatal development to be significantly lower compared with females at P21. POA ERβ levels were higher in WT males than in WT females, while those in KO males were lower than in WT males and similar to those in WT and KO females at P0-P21. POA kisspeptin expression was female-biased in WT mice, while levels in KO females were lower compared with WT females and similar to those in WT and KO males. ARC kisspeptin levels were equivalent among groups at E15.5-P0. At P7-P21, ARC levels in WT but not KO males became lower compared with WT females. Diethylstilbestrol exposure during P0-P6 and P7-P13 increased POA PR and ERβ, and decreased POA ERα and ARC kisspeptin levels at P7 and/or P14 in both sexes of KO mice. These data further understanding of gonadal hormone action on neuronal marker expression during brain sexual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayoi Ikeda
- Department of Anatomy, Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Tomoko Kato-Inui
- Koeki Zaidan Hojin Tokyo-to Igaku Sogo Kenkyujo, Regenerative Medicine Project 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Tagami
- Department of Anatomy, Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mamiko Maekawa
- Department of Anatomy, Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry, Nagoya, Japan
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Abstract
Evolution of genetic mechanisms of sex determination led to two processes causing sex differences in somatic phenotypes: gonadal differentiation and sex chromosome dosage inequality. In species with heteromorphic sex chromosomes, the sex of the individual is established at the time of formation of the zygote, leading to inherent sex differences in expression of sex chromosome genes beginning as soon as the embryonic transcriptome is activated. The inequality of sex chromosome gene expression causes sexual differentiation of the gonads and of non-gonadal tissues. The difference in gonad type in turn causes lifelong differences in gonadal hormones, which interact with unequal effects of X and Y genes acting within cells. Separating the effects of gonadal hormones and sex chromosomes has been possible using mouse models in which gonadal determination is separated from the sex chromosomes, allowing comparison of XX and XY mice with the same type of gonad. Sex differences caused by gonadal hormones and sex chromosomes affect basic physiology and disease mechanisms in most or all tissues.
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Giatti S, Garcia-Segura LM, Barreto GE, Melcangi RC. Neuroactive steroids, neurosteroidogenesis and sex. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 176:1-17. [PMID: 29981391 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system is a target and a source of steroids. Neuroactive steroids are steroids that target neurons and glial cells. They include hormonal steroids originated in the peripheral glands, steroids locally synthesized by the neurons and glial cells (neurosteroids) and synthetic steroids, some of them used in clinical practice. Here we review the mechanisms of synthesis, metabolism and action of neuroactive steroids, including the role of epigenetic modifications and the mitochondria in their sex specific actions. We examine sex differences in neuroactive steroid levels under physiological conditions and their role in the establishment of sex dimorphic structures in the nervous system and sex differences in its function. In addition, particular attention is paid to neuroactive steroids under pathological conditions, analyzing how pathology alters their levels and their role as neuroprotective factors, considering the influence of sex in both cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - George E Barreto
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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Cisternas CD, Garcia-Segura LM, Cambiasso MJ. Hormonal and genetic factors interact to control aromatase expression in the developing brain. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30. [PMID: 28891264 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Brain expression of the enzyme P450-aromatase has been studied extensively. Subsequent to the aromatisation hypothesis having established brain aromatase as a key factor to convert gonadal testosterone to oestradiol, several studies have investigated the regulation of aromatase during the critical period of brain sexual differentiation. We review previous and recent findings concerning regulation of aromatase. The role of gonadal hormones, sex chromosome genes and neurosteroids is analysed in terms of their contribution to aromatase expression, as well as implications for the organisational effect of steroids during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Cisternas
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - L M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Ciber de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M J Cambiasso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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26
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Rosenfeld CS. Brain Sexual Differentiation and Requirement of SRY: Why or Why Not? Front Neurosci 2017; 11:632. [PMID: 29200993 PMCID: PMC5696354 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain sexual differentiation is orchestrated by precise coordination of sex steroid hormones. In some species, programming of select male brain regions is dependent upon aromatization of testosterone to estrogen. In mammals, these hormones surge during the organizational and activational periods that occur during perinatal development and adulthood, respectively. In various fish and reptiles, incubation temperature during a critical embryonic period results in male or female sexual differentiation, but this can be overridden in males by early exposure to estrogenic chemicals. Testes development in mammals requires a Y chromosome and testis determining gene SRY (in humans)/Sry (all other therian mammals), although there are notable exceptions. Two species of spiny rats: Amami spiny rat (Tokudaia osimensis) and Tokunoshima spiny rat (Tokudaia tokunoshimensis) and two species of mole voles (Ellobius lutescens and Ellobius tancrei), lack a Y chromosome/Sry and possess an XO chromosome system in both sexes. Such rodent species, prototherians (monotremes, who also lack Sry), and fish and reptile species that demonstrate temperature sex determination (TSD) seemingly call into question the requirement of Sry for brain sexual differentiation. This review will consider brain regions expressing SRY/Sry in humans and rodents, respectively, and potential roles of SRY/Sry in the brain will be discussed. The evidence from various taxa disputing the requirement of Sry for brain sexual differentiation in mammals (therians and prototherians) and certain fish and reptilian species will be examined. A comparative approach to address this question may elucidate other genes, pathways, and epigenetic modifications stimulating brain sexual differentiation in vertebrate species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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27
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Relation among Aromatase P450 and Tumoral Growth in Human Prolactinomas. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18112299. [PMID: 29104246 PMCID: PMC5713269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18112299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pituitary gland is part of hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal axis, which controls development, reproduction, and aging in humans and animals. In addition, the pituitary gland is regulated mainly by hormones and neurotransmitters released from the hypothalamus and by systemic hormones secreted by target glands. Aromatase P450, the enzyme responsible for the catabolization of aromatizable androgens to estrogens, is expressed in different parts of body, including the pituitary gland. Moreover, aromatase P450 is involved in sexual dimorphism where alteration in the level of aromatase can initiate a number of diseases in both genders. On the other hand, the direct actions of estrogens, mainly estradiol, are well known for stimulating prolactin release. Numerous studies have shown that changes in the levels of estrogens, among other factors, have been implicated in the genesis and development of prolactinoma. The pituitary gland can produce estradiol locally in several types of endocrine cells, and it is possible that aromatase could be responsible for the maintenance of the population of lactotroph cells and the modulation of the action of central or peripheral regulators. Aromatase overexpression due to inappropriate gene regulation has clinical effects such as the pathogenesis of prolactinomas. The present study reports on the synthesis of pituitary aromatase, its regulation by gonadal steroids, and the physiological roles of aromatase on pituitary endocrine cells. The involvement of aromatase in the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors, mainly prolactinomas, through the auto-paracrine production of estradiol is reviewed.
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28
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Cambiasso MJ, Cisternas CD, Ruiz-Palmero I, Scerbo MJ, Arevalo MA, Azcoitia I, Garcia-Segura LM. Interaction of sex chromosome complement, gonadal hormones and neuronal steroid synthesis on the sexual differentiation of mammalian neurons. J Neurogenet 2017; 31:300-306. [DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2017.1390572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Julia Cambiasso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carla Daniela Cisternas
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Isabel Ruiz-Palmero
- CSIC, Instituto Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Julia Scerbo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Bucal, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Maria Angeles Arevalo
- CSIC, Instituto Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Azcoitia
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M. Garcia-Segura
- CSIC, Instituto Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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