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Nohesara S, Mostafavi Abdolmaleky H, Thiagalingam S. Substance-Induced Psychiatric Disorders, Epigenetic and Microbiome Alterations, and Potential for Therapeutic Interventions. Brain Sci 2024; 14:769. [PMID: 39199463 PMCID: PMC11352452 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14080769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex biopsychosocial diseases that cause neurocognitive deficits and neurological impairments by altering the gene expression in reward-related brain areas. Repeated drug use gives rise to alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the expression of microRNAs in several brain areas that may be associated with the development of psychotic symptoms. The first section of this review discusses how substance use contributes to the development of psychotic symptoms via epigenetic alterations. Then, we present more evidence about the link between SUDs and brain epigenetic alterations. The next section presents associations between paternal and maternal exposure to substances and epigenetic alterations in the brains of offspring and the role of maternal diet in preventing substance-induced neurological impairments. Then, we introduce potential therapeutic agents/approaches such as methyl-rich diets to modify epigenetic alterations for alleviating psychotic symptoms or depression in SUDs. Next, we discuss how substance use-gut microbiome interactions contribute to the development of neurological impairments through epigenetic alterations and how gut microbiome-derived metabolites may become new therapeutics for normalizing epigenetic aberrations. Finally, we address possible challenges and future perspectives for alleviating psychotic symptoms and depression in patients with SUDs by modulating diets, the epigenome, and gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Nohesara
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14535, Iran
| | - Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
- Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Surgery, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sam Thiagalingam
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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2
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Li Q, Wang L, Tang C, Wang X, Yu Z, Ping X, Ding M, Zheng L. Adipose Tissue Exosome circ_sxc Mediates the Modulatory of Adiposomes on Brain Aging by Inhibiting Brain dme-miR-87-3p. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:224-238. [PMID: 37597108 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03516-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Aging of the brain usually leads to the decline of neurological processes and is a major risk factor for various neurodegenerative diseases, including sleep disturbances and cognitive decline. Adipose tissue exosomes, as adipocyte-derived vesicles, may mediate the regulatory processes of adipose tissue on other organs, including the brain; however, the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We analyzed the sleep-wake behavior of young (10 days) and old (40 days) Drosophila and found that older Drosophila showed increased sleep fragmentation, which is similar to mammalian aging characteristics. To investigate the cross-tissue regulatory mechanisms of adiposity on brain aging, we extracted 10-day and 40-day Drosophila adipose tissue exosomes and identified circRNAs with age-dependent expression differences by RNA-seq and differential analysis. Furthermore, by combining data from 3 datasets of the GEO database (GSE130158, GSE24992, and GSE184559), circ_sxc that was significantly downregulated with age was finally screened out. Moreover, dme-miR-87-3p, a conserved target of circ_sxc, accumulates in the brain with age and exhibits inhibitory effects in predicted binding relationships with neuroreceptor ligand genes. In summary, the current study showed that the Drosophila brain could obtain circ_sxc by uptake of adipose tissue exosomes which crossed the blood-brain barrier. And circ_sxc suppressed brain miR-87-3p expression through sponge adsorption, which in turn regulated the expression of neurological receptor ligand proteins (5-HT1B, GABA-B-R1, Rdl, Rh7, qvr, NaCP60E) and ensured brain neuronal synaptic signaling normal function of synaptic signaling. However, with aging, this regulatory mechanism is dysregulated by the downregulation of the adipose exosome circ_sxc, which contributes to the brain exhibiting sleep disturbances and other "aging" features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiufang Li
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lingxiao Wang
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Chao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoya Wang
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhengwen Yu
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xu Ping
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Meng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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3
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McGill LD, Avci NG, Kazemi T, Sunaga Y, Akay YM, Akay M. Prenatal nicotine exposure alters gene expression profiles of neurons in the sub-regions of the VTA during early postnatal development. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4911. [PMID: 36966190 PMCID: PMC10039909 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31997-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain growth occurs during the first 2 weeks of postnatal development in rats. This developmental period is equivalent to the third trimester of human gestation. Dendritic arborization, axonal growth, and gliogenesis are observed along with a strong maturation of neurotransmission during this critical development period. Furthermore, nicotine exposure during early development causes deficiencies in sensory and cognitive processing in adults. In this study, we further investigated the gene expression of neuron groups and the influence of perinatal nicotine exposure on gene expressions of neurons within the sub-regions of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in 1 week, 2 week and 3-week-old rat pups. We exposed pregnant rats to nicotine perinatally on gestational day 7 through postnatal day 14. Pups are exposed to nicotine during pregnancy and through breastfeeding to investigate its effect in rat pups during early neuronal development. Real time PCR was used to find the relative expressions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, and glutamate neuron markers within the three sub-regions of the VTA including the parabrachial pigmented nucleus (PBP), parainterfascicular (PIF), and paranigral nucleus (PN). Our results indicated that during early maturation, the dopamine marker tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) showed a consistently increased significance in PN sub-region compared to PIF and PBP. These results suggest that following perinatal nicotine exposure, VTA dopamine neurons, especially within the PN sub-region, are significantly excited starting from birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey D McGill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Naze G Avci
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Tina Kazemi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Yoshinori Sunaga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Yasemin M Akay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Metin Akay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
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4
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Epigenetics in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 197:211-239. [PMID: 37019593 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, alcohol abuse and its detrimental effects on developing offspring are major public health, economic and social challenges. The prominent characteristic attributes of alcohol (ethanol) abuse during pregnancy in humans are neurobehavioral impairments in offspring due to damage to the central nervous system (CNS), causing structural and behavioral impairments that are together named fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Development-specific alcohol exposure paradigms were established to recapitulate the human FASD phenotypes and establish the underlying mechanisms. These animal studies have offered some critical molecular and cellular underpinnings likely to account for the neurobehavioral impairments associated with prenatal ethanol exposure. Although the pathogenesis of FASD remains unclear, emerging literature proposes that the various genomic and epigenetic components that cause the imbalance in gene expression can significantly contribute to the development of this disease. These studies acknowledged numerous immediate and enduring epigenetic modifications, such as methylation of DNA, post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone proteins, and regulatory networks related to RNA, using many molecular approaches. Methylated DNA profiles, PTMs of histone proteins, and RNA-regulated expression of genes are essential for synaptic and cognitive behavior. Thus, offering a solution to many neuronal and behavioral impairments reported in FASD. In the current chapter, we review the recent advances in different epigenetic modifications that cause the pathogenesis of FASD. The information discussed can help better explain the pathogenesis of FASD and thereby might provide a basis for finding novel therapeutic targets and innovative treatment strategies.
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Zhao Y, Qin F, Han S, Li S, Zhao Y, Wang H, Tian J, Cen X. MicroRNAs in drug addiction: Current status and future perspectives. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 236:108215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Sey NYA, Hu B, Iskhakova M, Lee S, Sun H, Shokrian N, Ben Hutta G, Marks JA, Quach BC, Johnson EO, Hancock DB, Akbarian S, Won H. Chromatin architecture in addiction circuitry identifies risk genes and potential biological mechanisms underlying cigarette smoking and alcohol use traits. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3085-3094. [PMID: 35422469 PMCID: PMC9853312 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01558-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking and alcohol use are among the most prevalent substances used worldwide and account for a substantial proportion of preventable morbidity and mortality, underscoring the public health significance of understanding their etiology. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified genetic variants associated with cigarette smoking and alcohol use traits. However, the vast majority of risk variants reside in non-coding regions of the genome, and their target genes and neurobiological mechanisms are unknown. Chromosomal conformation mappings can address this knowledge gap by charting the interaction profiles of risk-associated regulatory variants with target genes. To investigate the functional impact of common variants associated with cigarette smoking and alcohol use traits, we applied Hi-C coupled MAGMA (H-MAGMA) built upon cortical and newly generated midbrain dopaminergic neuronal Hi-C datasets to GWAS summary statistics of nicotine dependence, cigarettes per day, problematic alcohol use, and drinks per week. The identified risk genes mapped to key pathways associated with cigarette smoking and alcohol use traits, including drug metabolic processes and neuronal apoptosis. Risk genes were highly expressed in cortical glutamatergic, midbrain dopaminergic, GABAergic, and serotonergic neurons, suggesting them as relevant cell types in understanding the mechanisms by which genetic risk factors influence cigarette smoking and alcohol use. Lastly, we identified pleiotropic genes between cigarette smoking and alcohol use traits under the assumption that they may reveal substance-agnostic, shared neurobiological mechanisms of addiction. The number of pleiotropic genes was ~26-fold higher in dopaminergic neurons than in cortical neurons, emphasizing the critical role of ascending dopaminergic pathways in mediating general addiction phenotypes. Collectively, brain region- and neuronal subtype-specific 3D genome architecture helps refine neurobiological hypotheses for smoking, alcohol, and general addiction phenotypes by linking genetic risk factors to their target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Y A Sey
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Benxia Hu
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Marina Iskhakova
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sool Lee
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Huaigu Sun
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Neda Shokrian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Gabriella Ben Hutta
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jesse A Marks
- GenOmics, Bioinformatics, and Translational Research Center, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Bryan C Quach
- GenOmics, Bioinformatics, and Translational Research Center, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Eric O Johnson
- GenOmics, Bioinformatics, and Translational Research Center, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, 27709, USA
- Fellow Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Dana B Hancock
- GenOmics, Bioinformatics, and Translational Research Center, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Hyejung Won
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Madigan MA, Gupta A, Bowirrat A, Baron D, Badgaiyan RD, Elman I, Dennen CA, Braverman ER, Gold MS, Blum K. Precision Behavioral Management (PBM) and Cognitive Control as a Potential Therapeutic and Prophylactic Modality for Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): Is There Enough Evidence? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116395. [PMID: 35681980 PMCID: PMC9180535 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This brief commentary aims to provide an overview of the available and relatively new precision management of reward deficiencies manifested as substance and behavioral disorders. Current and future advances, concepts, and the substantial evidential basis of this potential therapeutic and prophylactic treatment modality are presented. Precision Behavioral Management (PBM), conceptualized initially as Precision Addiction Management (PAM), certainly deserves consideration as an important modality for the treatment of impaired cognitive control in reward processing as manifested in people with neurobiologically expressed Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A. Madigan
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, LLC., Austin, TX 78701, USA; (M.A.M.); (C.A.D.); (E.R.B.)
| | - Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA;
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - David Baron
- Center for Psychiatry, Medicine, & Primary Care (Office of Provost), Division of Addiction Research & Education, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, South Texas Veteran Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - Igor Elman
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, LLC., Austin, TX 78701, USA; (M.A.M.); (C.A.D.); (E.R.B.)
| | - Eric R. Braverman
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, LLC., Austin, TX 78701, USA; (M.A.M.); (C.A.D.); (E.R.B.)
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Kenneth Blum
- The Kenneth Blum Behavioral & Neurogenetic Institute, LLC., Austin, TX 78701, USA; (M.A.M.); (C.A.D.); (E.R.B.)
- Center for Psychiatry, Medicine, & Primary Care (Office of Provost), Division of Addiction Research & Education, Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Egyetem tér 1-3, 1053 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton VA Medical Centre, Dayton, OH 45324, USA
- Correspondence:
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Deng B, Zhang Z, Zhou H, Zhang X, Niu S, Yan X, Yan J. MicroRNAs in Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity and Addiction. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:875666. [PMID: 35496314 PMCID: PMC9046672 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse remains a significant public health concern globally owing to its strong addictive properties. Prolonged abuse of the drug causes irreversible damage to the central nervous system. To date, no efficient pharmacological interventions are available, primarily due to the unclear mechanisms underlying METH action in the brain. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to play critical roles in various cellular processes. The expression levels of some miRNAs are altered after METH administration, which may influence the transcription of target genes to regulate METH toxicity or addiction. This review summarizes the miRNAs in the context of METH use, discussing their role in the reward effect and neurotoxic sequelae. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in METH would be helpful for the development of new therapeutic strategies in reducing the harm of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi Deng
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhirui Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huixuan Zhou
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinran Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuliang Niu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xisheng Yan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wuhan Third Hospital and Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Yan,
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Xia H, Akay YM, Akay M. Investigating miRNA-mRNA interactions and gene regulatory networks from VTA dopaminergic neurons following perinatal nicotine and alcohol exposure using Bayesian network analysis. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2022; 26:3550-3555. [PMID: 35290190 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2022.3158620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs play an important role in gene regulation for many biological systems, including nicotine and alcohol addiction. However, the underlying mechanism behind miRNAs and mRNA interaction is not well characterized. Microarrays are commonly used to quantify the expression levels of mRNAs and/or miRNAs simultaneously. In this study, we performed a Bayesian network analysis to identify mRNA and miRNA interactions following perinatal exposure to nicotine and/or alcohol. We utilized three sets of microarray data to predict the regulation relationship between mRNA and miRNAs. Following perinatal alcohol exposure, we identified two miRNAs: miR-542-5p and miR-874-3p, that exhibited a strong mutual influence on several mRNA in gene regulatory pathways, mainly Axon guidance and Dopaminergic synapses. Finally, we confirmed our predicted addiction pathways based on the Bayesian network analysis with the widely used Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)-based database and identified comparable relevant miRNA-mRNA pairs. We believe the Bayesian network can provide insight into the complexity biological process related to addiction and can potentially be applied to other diseases.
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De Simone S, Giacani E, Bosco MA, Vittorio S, Ferrara M, Bertozzi G, Cipolloni L, La Russa R. The Role of miRNAs as New Molecular Biomarkers for Dating the Age of Wound Production: A Systematic Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:803067. [PMID: 35096893 PMCID: PMC8795691 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.803067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The timing of wounds production is a significant issue in forensic pathology. Although various methods have been evaluated, obtaining an accurate dating of lesions is still a challenge. The pathologist uses many parameters to value wound age, such as histological and immunohistochemical. In recent years, there have been many studies regarding the use of miRNAs in wound-age estimation; indeed, miRNAs have multiple potential uses in forensic pathology. SCOPE This review aims to verify the efficacy and feasibility of miRNAs as a tool for determining the timing of lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors conducted the systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed was used as a search engine to find articles published between January, 1st 2016 and October, 1st 2021, to evaluate the current state of the art regarding wound-age estimation. RESULTS A total of 256 articles were collected; after screening according to PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review included 8 articles. The studies included in this review were all Original articles evaluating the use of biomarkers for wound-age determination. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The literature review showed that analysis of miRNA is an innovative field of study with significant potentiality in forensic pathology. There are few studies, and almost all of them are at an early stage. The challenge is to understand how to standardize the samples' selection to obtain reliable experimental data. This observation represents a necessary prerequisite to planning further clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania De Simone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Elena Giacani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Bosco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Simona Vittorio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Ferrara
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bertozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigi Cipolloni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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11
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Non-coding RNA in alcohol use disorder by affecting synaptic plasticity. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:365-379. [PMID: 35028694 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06305-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most serious public health problems worldwide. AUD is a complex disorder, and there is ample evidence that genetic predisposition is critical to its development. Recent studies have shown that genetic predisposition leads to the onset of AUD, and alcohol metabolism can affect epigenetic inheritance, which in turn affects synaptic plasticity, alters brain function, and leads to more severe addictive behaviors. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), play an important role in alcohol addiction. This paper reviews the regulatory role of ncRNAs. ncRNAs are involved in enzyme and neurotransmitter reaction systems during alcohol use disorder. Alcohol consumption regulates the expression of ncRNAs that mediate epigenetic modification and synaptic plasticity, which play an important role in the development of chronic AUD. ncRNAs may be used not only as predictors of therapeutic responses but also as therapeutic targets of AUD. Chronic alcoholism is more likely to lead to neuroimmune disorders, including permanent brain dysfunction. AUD induced by long-term alcoholism greatly alters the expression of genes in the human genome, especially the expression of ncRNAs. Alcohol can cause a series of pathological changes by interfering with gene expression, such as through disordered miRNA-mRNA expression networks, epigenetic modifications, disordered metabolism, and even synaptic remodeling. ncRNAs are involved in the transition from moderate drinking to alcohol dependence.
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12
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Medeiros M, Candido MF, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. The multifaceted NF-kB: are there still prospects of its inhibition for clinical intervention in pediatric central nervous system tumors? Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6161-6200. [PMID: 34333711 PMCID: PMC11072991 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03906-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the basic biology and pathogenesis of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, patients still have an extremely unfavorable prognosis. Over the years, a plethora of natural and synthetic compounds has emerged for the pharmacologic intervention of the NF-kB pathway, one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling cascades in human cancer with key roles in cell growth, survival, and therapy resistance. Here, we provide a review about the state-of-the-art concerning the dysregulation of this hub transcription factor in the most prevalent pediatric CNS tumors: glioma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma. Moreover, we compile the available literature on the anti-proliferative effects of varied NF-kB inhibitors acting alone or in combination with other therapies in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. As the wealth of basic research data continues to accumulate, recognizing NF-kB as a therapeutic target may provide important insights to treat these diseases, hopefully contributing to increase cure rates and lower side effects related to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Medeiros
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, FFCLRP-USP, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14040-901, Brazil.
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