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Yu G, Wu L, Su Q, Ji X, Zhou J, Wu S, Tang Y, Li H. Neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants in the environment: Focusing on epigenetic mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123563. [PMID: 38355086 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The pollution of heavy metals (HMs) in the environment is a significant global environmental issue, characterized by its extensive distribution, severe contamination, and profound ecological impacts. Excessive exposure to heavy metal pollutants can damage the nervous system. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of most heavy metals are not completely understood. Epigenetics is defined as a heritable change in gene function that can influence gene and subsequent protein expression levels without altering the DNA sequence. Growing evidence indicates that heavy metals can induce neurotoxic effects by triggering epigenetic changes and disrupting the epigenome. Compared with genetic changes, epigenetic alterations are more easily reversible. Epigenetic reprogramming techniques, drugs, and certain nutrients targeting specific epigenetic mechanisms involved in gene expression regulation are emerging as potential preventive or therapeutic tools for diseases. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of epigenetic modifications encompassing DNA/RNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the nervous system, elucidating their association with various heavy metal exposures. These primarily include manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), sliver (Ag), toxic metalloids arsenic (As), and etc. The potential epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology, precision prevention, and target therapy of various neurodevelopmental disorders or different neurodegenerative diseases are emphasized. In addition, the current gaps in research and future areas of study are discussed. From a perspective on epigenetics, this review offers novel insights for prevention and treatment of neurotoxicity induced by heavy metal pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxia Yu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Lingyan Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Qianqian Su
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Xianqi Ji
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jinfu Zhou
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Fujian Maternity and Child Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Siying Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Fujian Center for Prevention and Control Occupational Diseases and Chemical Poisoning, Fuzhou 350125, China
| | - Huangyuan Li
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
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2
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Wen Q, Wittens MMJ, Engelborghs S, van Herwijnen MHM, Tsamou M, Roggen E, Smeets B, Krauskopf J, Briedé JJ. Beyond CSF and Neuroimaging Assessment: Evaluating Plasma miR-145-5p as a Potential Biomarker for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1042-1054. [PMID: 38407050 PMCID: PMC10921410 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00740] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. New strategies for the early detection of MCI and sporadic AD are crucial for developing effective treatment options. Current techniques used for diagnosis of AD are invasive and/or expensive, so they are not suitable for population screening. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers such as amyloid β1-42 (Aβ1-42), total tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau181 (P-tau181) levels are core biomarkers for early diagnosis of AD. Several studies have proposed the use of blood-circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential novel early biomarkers for AD. We therefore applied a novel approach to identify blood-circulating miRNAs associated with CSF biomarkers and explored the potential of these miRNAs as biomarkers of AD. In total, 112 subjects consisting of 28 dementia due to AD cases, 63 MCI due to AD cases, and 21 cognitively healthy controls were included. We identified seven Aβ1-42-associated plasma miRNAs, six P-tau181-associated plasma miRNAs, and nine Aβ1-42-associated serum miRNAs. These miRNAs were involved in AD-relevant biological processes, such as PI3K/AKT signaling. Based on this signaling pathway, we constructed an miRNA-gene target network, wherein miR-145-5p has been identified as a hub. Furthermore, we showed that miR-145-5p performs best in the prediction of both AD and MCI. Moreover, miR-145-5p also improved the prediction performance of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score. The performance of this miRNA was validated using different datasets including an RT-qPCR dataset from plasma samples of 23 MCI cases and 30 age-matched controls. These findings indicate that blood-circulating miRNAs that are associated with CSF biomarkers levels and specifically plasma miR-145-5p alone or combined with the MMSE score can potentially be used as noninvasive biomarkers for AD or MCI screening in the general population, although studies in other AD cohorts are necessary for further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfeng Wen
- Department
of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- MHeNS,
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mandy Melissa Jane Wittens
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Neuroprotection
and Neuromodulation (NEUR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
- Department
of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
(UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan
101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan Engelborghs
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Neuroprotection
and Neuromodulation (NEUR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
- Department
of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
(UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan
101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Marcel H. M. van Herwijnen
- Department
of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Tsamou
- ToxGenSolutions
(TGS), 6229EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Roggen
- ToxGenSolutions
(TGS), 6229EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Smeets
- Department
of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- MHeNS,
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Julian Krauskopf
- Department
of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacco Jan Briedé
- Department
of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- MHeNS,
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Mei Z, Liu G, Zhao B, He Z, Gu S. Emerging roles of epigenetics in lead-induced neurotoxicity. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108253. [PMID: 37864902 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a common environmental heavy metal contaminant. Humans are highly susceptible to lead accumulation in the body, which causes nervous system damage and leads to a variety of nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and autism spectrum disorder. Recent research has focused on the mechanisms of lead-induced neurotoxicity at multiple levels, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, which are involved in various lead-induced nervous system diseases. We reviewed the latest articles and summarised the emerging roles of DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs in lead-induced neurotoxicity. Our summary provides a theoretical basis and directions for future research on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lead-induced neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongqin Mei
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, Yunnan 671000, People's Republic of China
| | - Guofen Liu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, Yunnan 671000, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Zhao
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, Yunnan 671000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuoshun He
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, Yunnan 671000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shiyan Gu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Dali University, No. 22, Wanhua Road, Dali, Yunnan 671000, People's Republic of China.
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Musso N, Bivona D, Bonomo C, Bonacci P, D'Ippolito ME, Boccagni C, Rubino F, De Tanti A, Lucca LF, Pingue V, Colombo V, Estraneo A, Stefani S, Andriolo M, Bagnato S. Investigating microRNAs as biomarkers in disorders of consciousness: a longitudinal multicenter study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18415. [PMID: 37891240 PMCID: PMC10611795 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45719-7] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in gene regulation and may affect secondary brain injury and recovery in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). This study investigated the role of five miRNAs (150-5p, 132-3p, 23b-3p, 451a, and 16-5p) in prolonged DoC. miRNA levels were assessed in serum samples from 30 patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state due to traumatic or hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (TBI, HIBI) at baseline (1-3 months) and 6 months post-injury. Patients' diagnoses were determined using the Coma Recovery Scale revised, and functional outcomes were evaluated 6 months after injury with the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Compared to healthy controls, patients with TBI had lower levels of miRNAs 150-5p, 132-3p, and 23b-3p at baseline, while patients with HIBI had lower levels of miRNA 150-5p at baseline and 6 months post-injury and a reduction of miRNA 451a at baseline. Higher levels of miRNAs 132-3p and 23b-3p were associated with better outcomes in TBI patients as indicated by GOSE and FIM scores. This study highlights distinct miRNA dysregulated patterns in patients with prolonged DoC, dependent on etiology and post-injury time, and suggests that miRNAs 132-3p and 23b-3p may serve as prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Musso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Dalida Bivona
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelo Bonomo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonacci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Boccagni
- Unit of Neurophysiology and Unit for Severe Acquired Brain Injuries, Giuseppe Giglio Foundation, 90015, Cefalù, Italy
| | - Francesca Rubino
- Unit of Neurophysiology and Unit for Severe Acquired Brain Injuries, Giuseppe Giglio Foundation, 90015, Cefalù, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Francesca Lucca
- RAN (Research in Advanced Neuro-Rehabilitation), S. Anna Institute, 80067, Crotone, Italy
| | - Valeria Pingue
- Neurorehabilitation and Spinal Units, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Anna Estraneo
- Don Gnocchi Foundation IRCCS, 50124, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Stefani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Andriolo
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Provincial Health Authority of Caltanissetta, 93100, Caltanissetta, Italy
| | - Sergio Bagnato
- Unit of Neurophysiology and Unit for Severe Acquired Brain Injuries, Giuseppe Giglio Foundation, 90015, Cefalù, Italy.
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Piotrowski SL, Tucker A, Jacobson S. The elusive role of herpesviruses in Alzheimer's disease: current evidence and future directions. NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2023; 2:253-266. [PMID: 38013835 PMCID: PMC10474380 DOI: 10.1515/nipt-2023-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. While pathologic hallmarks, such as extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, are well-characterized in affected individuals, the pathogenesis that causes plaque formation and eventual cognitive decline is not well understood. A recent resurgence of the decades-old "infectious hypothesis" has garnered increased attention on the potential role that microbes may play in AD. In this theory, it is thought that pathogens such as viruses may act as seeds for beta-amyloid aggregation, ultimately leading to plaques. Interest in the infectious hypothesis has also spurred further investigation into additional characteristics of viral infection that may play a role in AD progression, such as neuroinflammation, latency, and viral DNA integration. While a flurry of research in this area has been recently published, with herpesviruses being of particular interest, the role of pathogens in AD remains controversial. In this review, the insights gained thus far into the possible role of herpesviruses in AD are summarized. The challenges and potential future directions of herpesvirus research in AD and dementia are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey L. Piotrowski
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Allison Tucker
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven Jacobson
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Common Genetic Factors and Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease and Ischemic Stroke: Evidences from GWAS. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020353. [PMID: 36833280 PMCID: PMC9957001 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and ischemic stroke (IS) are common neurological disorders, and the comorbidity of these two brain diseases is often seen. Although AD and IS were regarded as two distinct disease entities, in terms of different etiologies and clinical presentation, recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) revealed that there were common risk genes between AD and IS, indicating common molecular pathways and their common pathophysiology. In this review, we summarize AD and IS risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their representative genes from the GWAS Catalog database, and find thirteen common risk genes, but no common risk SNPs. Furthermore, the common molecular pathways associated with these risk gene products are summarized from the GeneCards database and clustered into inflammation and immunity, G protein-coupled receptor, and signal transduction. At least seven of these thirteen genes can be regulated by 23 microRNAs identified from the TargetScan database. Taken together, the imbalance of these molecular pathways may give rise to these two common brain disorders. This review sheds light on the pathogenesis of comorbidity of AD and IS, and provides molecular targets for disease prevention, manipulation, and brain health maintenance.
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