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Hemby SE, McIntosh S. Chronic haloperidol administration downregulates select BDNF transcript and protein levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of rhesus monkeys. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1054506. [PMID: 36816400 PMCID: PMC9932326 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1054506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-mortem studies in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal formation from schizophrenia patients have revealed significant disruptions in the expression molecules associated with cytoarchitecture, synaptic structure, function, and plasticity, known to be regulated in part by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Interestingly, several studies using postmortem brain tissue from individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia have revealed a significant reduction in BDNF mRNA and protein levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), hippocampus and related areas; however, differentiating the effects of illness from antipsychotic history has remained difficult. We hypothesized that chronic antipsychotic treatment may contribute to the altered BDNF mRNA and protein expression observed in post-mortem brains of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. To address the influence of antipsychotic administration on BDNF expression in the primate brain, rhesus monkeys orally administered haloperidol, clozapine, or vehicle twice daily for 180 days. We found BDNF splice variants 4 and 5 in the DLPFC and variant 2 in the EC were significantly down-regulated following chronic administration of haloperidol. In addition, proBDNF and mature BDNF expression in the DLPFC, but not the EC, were significantly reduced. Based on the known regulation of BDNF expression by BDNF-AS, we assessed the expression of this lncRNA and found expression was significantly upregulated in the DLPFC, but not EC. The results of the present study provide evidence of haloperidol-induced regulation of BDNF mRNA and protein expression in the DLFPC and suggest an important role for BDNF-AS in this regulation. Given the role of BDNF in synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival and maintenance, aberrant expression induced by haloperidol likely has significant ramifications for neuronal populations and circuits in primate cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Hemby
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, High Point University, High Point, NC, United States
| | - Scot McIntosh
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, High Point University, High Point, NC, United States
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2
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González‐Acosta CA, Ortiz‐Muñoz D, Becerra‐Hernández LV, Casanova MF, Buriticá E. Von Economo neurons: Cellular specialization of human limbic cortices? J Anat 2022; 241:20-32. [PMID: 35178703 PMCID: PMC9178382 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Von Economo neurons (VENs) have been mentioned in the medical literature since the second half of the 19th century; however, it was not until the second decade of the 20th century that their cytomorphology was described in detail. To date, VENs have been found in limbic sectors of the frontal, temporal and insular lobes. In humans, their density seems to decrease in the caudo-rostral and ventro-dorsal direction; that is, from the anterior regions of the cingulate and insular cortices towards the frontal pole and the superior frontal gyrus. Several studies have provided similar descriptions of the shape of the VEN soma, but the size of the soma varies from one cortical region to another. There is consensus among different authors about the selective vulnerability of VENs in certain pathologies, in which a deterioration of the capacities involved in social behaviour is observed. In this review, we propose that the restriction of VENs towards the sectors linked to limbic information processing in Homo sapiens gives them a possible functional role in relation to the structures in which they are located. However, given the divergence in characteristics such as location, density, size and biochemical profile among VENs of different cortical sectors, the activities in which they participate could allow them to partake in a wide spectrum of neurological functions, including autonomic responses and executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Ortiz‐Muñoz
- Centro de Estudios Cerebrales, Facultad de SaludUniversidad del ValleCaliColombia
| | | | - Manuel F. Casanova
- Center for Childhood NeurotherapeuticsUniversity of South Carolina School of Medicine GreenvilleGreenvilleSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Efraín Buriticá
- Centro de Estudios Cerebrales, Facultad de SaludUniversidad del ValleCaliColombia
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Saoud H, Ben Afia A, Aflouk Y, Gaha L, Bel Hadj Jrad B. A Preventive Role of RANTES Genetic Variation against Undifferentiated Schizophrenia. Immunol Invest 2022; 51:1843-1855. [PMID: 35476033 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2022.2067001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AIM Due to conflicting data from relevant studies, evidence for chemokine alterations in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (Scz) remains inconclusive. Thus, we aimed to investigate the impact of rs2107538, rs2280788, and rs2280789 polymorphisms in CCL5 gene, as well as rs333 within CCR5 gene and the development of Scz in a Tunisian cohort. METHODS We performed a case-control study composed of 200 patients and 200 controls using RFLP-PCR. RESULTS Among the analyzed polymorphisms, only rs2107538 imparted protection against Scz and more specifically to male sex. This protective effect remained valid for the undifferentiated form. Moreover, this SNP had an impact on patients' symptomatology. When focusing on haplotypes, we noticed that the rs2107538-rs2280788-rs2280789 ACT genetic combination, with only one mutated allele rs2107538A, displayed reduced frequency in both Scz (as a whole group) and undifferentiated subtype. The haplotype distribution profile implies that the A allele at rs2107538 could induce a protective effect by increasing RANTES production. CONCLUSION Additional independent analyses are required to corroborate these findings and elucidate the functional implications of the discovered preventing genotypes and haplotypes in Scz.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Saoud
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Bioresource Valorization (LR11ES41), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Amira Ben Afia
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Bioresource Valorization (LR11ES41), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Youssef Aflouk
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Bioresource Valorization (LR11ES41), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Lotfi Gaha
- Department of Psychiatry and Vulnerability To Psychoses Laboratory-CHU Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Besma Bel Hadj Jrad
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Bioresource Valorization (LR11ES41), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
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Aleksic M, Brkic Z, Petrovic Z, Francija E, Lukic I, Adzic M. Sex‐specific contribution of glucocorticoid receptor alpha isoforms to anxiety and depressive‐like behavior in mice. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1239-1253. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Minja Aleksic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences ‐ National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | - Zeljka Brkic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences ‐ National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | - Zorica Petrovic
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx New York USA
| | - Ester Francija
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences ‐ National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | - Iva Lukic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences ‐ National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | - Miroslav Adzic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences ‐ National Institute of thе Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
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Schizophrenia is defined by cell-specific neuropathology and multiple neurodevelopmental mechanisms in patient-derived cerebral organoids. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1416-1434. [PMID: 34789849 PMCID: PMC9095467 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Due to an inability to ethically access developing human brain tissue as well as identify prospective cases, early-arising neurodevelopmental and cell-specific signatures of Schizophrenia (Scz) have remained unknown and thus undefined. To overcome these challenges, we utilized patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate 3D cerebral organoids to model neuropathology of Scz during this critical period. We discovered that Scz organoids exhibited ventricular neuropathology resulting in altered progenitor survival and disrupted neurogenesis. This ultimately yielded fewer neurons within developing cortical fields of Scz organoids. Single-cell sequencing revealed that Scz progenitors were specifically depleted of neuronal programming factors leading to a remodeling of cell-lineages, altered differentiation trajectories, and distorted cortical cell-type diversity. While Scz organoids were similar in their macromolecular diversity to organoids generated from healthy controls (Ctrls), four GWAS factors (PTN, COMT, PLCL1, and PODXL) and peptide fragments belonging to the POU-domain transcription factor family (e.g., POU3F2/BRN2) were altered. This revealed that Scz organoids principally differed not in their proteomic diversity, but specifically in their total quantity of disease and neurodevelopmental factors at the molecular level. Single-cell sequencing subsequently identified cell-type specific alterations in neuronal programming factors as well as a developmental switch in neurotrophic growth factor expression, indicating that Scz neuropathology can be encoded on a cell-type-by-cell-type basis. Furthermore, single-cell sequencing also specifically replicated the depletion of BRN2 (POU3F2) and PTN in both Scz progenitors and neurons. Subsequently, in two mechanistic rescue experiments we identified that the transcription factor BRN2 and growth factor PTN operate as mechanistic substrates of neurogenesis and cellular survival, respectively, in Scz organoids. Collectively, our work suggests that multiple mechanisms of Scz exist in patient-derived organoids, and that these disparate mechanisms converge upon primordial brain developmental pathways such as neuronal differentiation, survival, and growth factor support, which may amalgamate to elevate intrinsic risk of Scz.
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Noto MN, Maes M, Vargas Nunes SO, Ota VK, Cavalcante D, Oliveira G, Rossaneis AC, Verri WA, Cordeiro Q, Belangero SI, Gadelha A, Noto C, Bressan RA. BDNF in antipsychotic naive first episode psychosis: Effects of risperidone and the immune-inflammatory response system. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 141:206-213. [PMID: 34246975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the immune-inflammatory response system (IRS) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, no research examined the associations between BDNF and immune activation both before and after treatment in antipsychotic-naïve first episode psychosis (AN-FEP). This study aims to examine serum BDNF levels and their association with IRS and the compensatory immune-regulatory reflex system (CIRS) in AN-FEP before and after risperidone treatment. We included 31 AN-FEP and 22 healthy controls. AN-FEP showed reduced levels of BDNF as compared to controls, and BDNF levels normalized after treatment with risperidone. BDNF levels were inversely correlated with a greater IRS response. Higher levels of IRS/CIRS biomarkers were associated with lower levels of BDNF including M1 macrophage, T-helper (Th)-1, Th-2, and Th-17, and T-regulatory (Treg) cell responses. Our findings indicate that AN-FEP is characterized by decreased levels of BDNF, which are normalized after treatment with risperidone. BDNF levels were inversely associated with activated immune-inflammatory pathways. The findings support the hypothesis that, increased IRS is linked to neurotoxicity, and that a decrease in BDNF may be part of the IRS/CIRS responses in FEP and, thus, be involved in the development of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Nunes Noto
- GAPi (Early Psychosis Group), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; IMPACT, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | | | - Vanessa Kiyomi Ota
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Cavalcante
- GAPi (Early Psychosis Group), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovany Oliveira
- GAPi (Early Psychosis Group), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana C Rossaneis
- Department of Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil
| | - Waldiceu A Verri
- Department of Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil
| | - Quirino Cordeiro
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Ciências Médica da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sintia Iole Belangero
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ary Gadelha
- GAPi (Early Psychosis Group), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Schizophrenia Program (PROESQ), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Noto
- GAPi (Early Psychosis Group), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Schizophrenia Program (PROESQ), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Affonseca Bressan
- GAPi (Early Psychosis Group), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Schizophrenia Program (PROESQ), Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Bauer R, Clowry GJ, Kaiser M. Creative Destruction: A Basic Computational Model of Cortical Layer Formation. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:3237-3253. [PMID: 33625496 PMCID: PMC8196252 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most characteristic properties of many vertebrate neural systems is the layered organization of different cell types. This cytoarchitecture exists in the cortex, the retina, the hippocampus, and many other parts of the central nervous system. The developmental mechanisms of neural layer formation have been subject to substantial experimental efforts. Here, we provide a general computational model for cortical layer formation in 3D physical space. We show that this multiscale, agent-based model, comprising two distinct stages of apoptosis, can account for the wide range of neuronal numbers encountered in different cortical areas and species. Our results demonstrate the phenotypic richness of a basic state diagram structure. Importantly, apoptosis allows for changing the thickness of one layer without automatically affecting other layers. Therefore, apoptosis increases the flexibility for evolutionary change in layer architecture. Notably, slightly changed gene regulatory dynamics recapitulate the characteristic properties observed in neurodevelopmental diseases. Overall, we propose a novel computational model using gene-type rules, exhibiting many characteristics of normal and pathological cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Bauer
- Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Gavin J Clowry
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Marcus Kaiser
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
- Precision Imaging Beacon, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
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Pu X, Li J, Ma X, Yang S, Wang L. The functional polymorphisms linked with interleukin-1β gene expression are associated with bipolar disorder. Psychiatr Genet 2021; 31:72-78. [PMID: 33707400 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric illness attributable to multifactorial risk components (e.g. environmental stimuli, neuroinflammation, etc.), and genetic variations affecting these risk components are considered pivotal predisposing factors. The interleukin-1β (IL-1β) gene and its protein product have been repeatedly highlighted in the pathogenesis of BD. As functional polymorphisms and haplotypes linked with IL-1β mRNA expression have been reported, whether they are correlated with the risk of developing BD remains to be tested. METHODS To examine whether variations in the IL-1β gene locus confer genetic risk of BD, we recruited 930 BD patients and 912 healthy controls for the current study. All subjects were Han Chinese, and were age- and gender-matched. We tested seven functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the IL-1β gene and one haplotype composed of three SNPs for their associations with risk of BD. RESULTS We found that the functional SNPs in the promoter region of IL-1β gene were significantly associated with risk of BD. The haplotype analyses further supported the involvement of IL-1β promoter SNPs in BD. The BD risk SNPs in our study have been previously reported to predict higher IL-1β levels in the brain and peripheral blood, which is consistent with the clinical observation of elevated IL-1β levels in the lymphocytes or peripheral blood of patients with BD compared with healthy subjects. CONCLUSION Our results support the contention that IL-1β is likely a risk gene for BD, and further investigations on this gene may promote our understanding and clinical management of this illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfu Pu
- The Second People's Hospital of Yuxi City, Yuxi, Yunnan, China
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Namba H, Nawa H. Post-pubertal Difference in Nigral Dopaminergic Cells Firing in the Schizophrenia Model Prepared by Perinatal Challenges of a Cytokine, EGF. Neuroscience 2020; 441:22-32. [PMID: 32531471 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia in humans typically develops during and after adolescence; however, the biological underpinning for the specificity of this onset time window remains to be determined. In the present study, we investigated this knowledge gap using our own animal model for schizophrenia. Rodents and monkeys challenged with a cytokine, epidermal growth factor (EGF), as neonates are known to exhibit various behavioral and cognitive abnormalities at the post-pubertal stage. We used the EGF-challenged mice as an animal model for schizophrenia to evaluate the electrophysiological impact of this modeling on nigral dopamine neurons before and after puberty. In vivo single unit recording revealed that the burst firing of putative dopamine neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta was significantly higher in the post-pubertal stage of the EGF model than in that of control mice; in contrast, this difference was not observed in the pre-pubertal stage. The increase in burst firing was accompanied by a decline in Ca2+-activated K+ (ISK) currents, which influence the firing pattern of dopamine neurons. In vivo local application of the SK channel blocker apamin (80 μM) to the substantia nigra was less effective at increasing burst firing in the EGF model than in control mice, suggesting the pathologic role of the ISK decrease in this model. Thus, these results suggest that the aberrant post-pubertal hyperactivity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons is associated with the temporal specificity of the behavioral deficit of this model, and support the hypothesis that this dopaminergic aberration could be implicated in the adolescent onset of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisaaki Namba
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Nawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan.
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Zhang X, Xiao W, Chen K, Zhao Y, Ye F, Tang X, Du X. Decreased Serum EGF in First-episode and Chronic Schizophrenia Patients: Negative Correlation with Psychopathology. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6506. [PMID: 32300175 PMCID: PMC7162869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that neurotrophic factors may play a critical role in the severity of clinical symptoms in schizophrenia. However, it remains unknown whether serum levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in schizophrenia are similar to those observed in the case of other neurotrophic factors. Therefore, we compared serum EGF concentrations in first-episode drug-naive (FEP) patients and medicated chronic schizophrenic patients with healthy controls in order to explore whether EGF levels are related to psychopathological symptoms. We measured the serum levels of EGF in 78 first-episode medication-naive schizophrenia patients, 76 medicated chronic schizophrenic patients, and 75 healthy controls using the sandwich ELISA method. Disease severity were measured using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Serum EGF levels showed a significant decrease in schizophrenia patients in comparison to healthy subjects. Serum EGF levels in FEP patients are indistinguishable from chronic cases. EGF levels were related to PANSS general symptom subscales in both FEP never-medicated and medicated patients. It is interesting that serum EGF levels were negatively correlated with the PANSS cognitive subscales, with the exception of the patients with chronic schizophrenia. Our preliminary results indicated that EGF may play a role in this illness and that it could be used as a potential biomarker of disease severity. Moreover, EGF may be associated with cognitive subscales of PANSS in FEP patients. Future studies should investigate the relationship between EGF and cognitive function as measured using standardized neuropsychological assessments to identify potential biomarkers related with cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215137, P.R. China. .,School of mental health, Jining medical University, Jining, 272000, P.R. China.
| | - Wenhuan Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225003, P.R. China
| | - KuanYu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225003, P.R. China.,Department of Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313000, China
| | - Yaqin Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225003, P.R. China
| | - Fei Ye
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225003, P.R. China.,Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Xiangdong Du
- Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215137, P.R. China.
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Teigset CM, Mohn C, Rund BR. Perinatal complications and executive dysfunction in early-onset schizophrenia. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:103. [PMID: 32131788 PMCID: PMC7057649 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02517-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study examined the association between perinatal obstetric complications and executive dysfunction in early-onset schizophrenia (EOS), compared to healthy controls. Higher incidences of obstetric complications and more severe executive dysfunctions characterize EOS. Research shows extensive brain maturation in newborns, suggesting them to be particularly vulnerable for perinatal insults. Executive function is mainly mediated by the prefrontal cortex, an area that matures last during pregnancy. Thus, exposure to perinatal complications may influence executive dysfunction in EOS. METHODS The participants were 19 EOS patients and 54 healthy controls. Executive function was assessed with the D-KEFS Color Word Interference Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Information on perinatal obstetric complications and Apgar 5-min scores were obtained from the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry. Associations between perinatal conditions and executive function were studied using stepwise regression analyses. RESULTS Perinatal complications, and especially shorter gestational lengths, were significantly associated with significant executive dysfunctions in EOS. Perinatal complications did not affect executive function among healthy controls. A significant relationship between lower Apgar 5-min scores and executive dysfunction was found among both EOS patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to perinatal complications, and particularly a shorter gestational length, was associated with increased executive dysfunction in EOS. Exposed healthy controls did not exhibit similar executive difficulties, suggesting that the EOS patients seemed especially vulnerable for executive deficits due to perinatal insults. The findings indicate that EOS youths learn more slowly and experience more difficulty with problem-solving, which carry important implications for clinical practice. Lower Apgar 5-min scores were associated with executive dysfunction in both groups. Low Apgar score at 5 min may therefore be an important early indicator of executive difficulties among adolescents, independent of diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M. Teigset
- grid.459157.b0000 0004 0389 7802Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Research Department, Wergelands gate 10, 3004 Drammen, Norway
| | - Christine Mohn
- grid.459157.b0000 0004 0389 7802Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Research Department, Wergelands gate 10, 3004 Drammen, Norway ,grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921NORMENT Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Postboks 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Rishovd Rund
- grid.459157.b0000 0004 0389 7802Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Research Department, Wergelands gate 10, 3004 Drammen, Norway ,grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Postboks 1094 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
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Proof-of-concept study of a multi-gene risk score in adolescent bipolar disorder. J Affect Disord 2020; 262:211-222. [PMID: 31727397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined multiple genetic variants concurrently for the purpose of classifying bipolar disorder (BD); the literature among youth is particularly sparse. We selected 35 genetic variants, previously implicated in BD or associated characteristics, from which to identify the most robustly predictive group of genes. METHODS 215 Caucasian adolescents (114 BD and 101 healthy controls (HC), ages 13-20 years) were included. Psychiatric diagnoses were determined based on semi-structured diagnostic interviews. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva for genotyping. Two models were used to calculate a multi-gene risk score (MGRS). Model 1 used forward and backward regressions, and model 2 used a PLINK generated method. RESULTS In model 1, GPX3 rs3792797 was significant in the forward regression, DRD4 exonIII was significant in the backward regression; IL1β rs16944 and DISC1 rs821577 were significant in both the forward and backward regressions. These variants are involved in dopamine neurotransmission; inflammation and oxidative stress; and neuronal development. Model 1 MGRS did not significantly discriminate between BD and HC. In model 2, ZNF804A rs1344706 was significantly associated with BD; however, this association did not predict diagnosis when entered into the weighted model. LIMITATIONS This study was limited by the number of genetic variants examined and the modest sample size. CONCLUSIONS Whereas regression approaches identified four genetic variants that significantly discriminated between BD and HC, those same variants no longer discriminated between BD and HC when computed as a MGRS. Future larger studies are needed evaluating intermediate phenotypes such as neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers.
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Lozupone M, La Montagna M, D'Urso F, Daniele A, Greco A, Seripa D, Logroscino G, Bellomo A, Panza F. The Role of Biomarkers in Psychiatry. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1118:135-162. [PMID: 30747421 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-05542-4_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric illnesses are cognitive and behavioral disorders of the brain. At present, psychiatric diagnosis is based on DSM-5 criteria. Even if endophenotype specificity for psychiatric disorders is discussed, it is difficult to study and identify psychiatric biomarkers to support diagnosis, prognosis, or clinical response to treatment. This chapter investigates the innovative biomarkers of psychiatric diseases for diagnosis and personalized treatment, in particular post-genomic data and proteomic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madia Lozupone
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maddalena La Montagna
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Francesca D'Urso
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Foggia, Italy
| | - Davide Seripa
- Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.,Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Lecce, Italy
| | - Antonello Bellomo
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Francesco Panza
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy. .,Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Foggia, Italy. .,Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Lecce, Italy.
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14
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Early life stress and the propensity to develop addictive behaviors. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 78:156-169. [PMID: 31255718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a vast literature on effects of early life manipulations in rodents much of which is aimed at investigating the long-term consequences related to emotion and cognition in adulthood. Less is known about how these manipulations affect responses reflective of alcohol (AUD) and substance (SUD) use disorders. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature of studies that employed early life manipulations and assessed behavioral responses to psychoactive substances, specifically alcohol, opiates, and stimulants, in rodents. While the findings with alcohol are more limited and mixed, studies with opiates and stimulants show strong support for the ability of these manipulations to enhance behavioral responsivity to these substances in line with epidemiological data. Some outcomes show sex differences. The mechanisms that influence these enduring changes may reflect epigenetic alterations. Several studies support a role for altered DNA methylation (and other epigenetic mechanisms) as biological responses to early environmental insults. The chemical changes induced by DNA methylation affect transcriptional activity of DNA and thus can have a long-term impact on the individual's phenotype. Such effects are particularly robust when they occur during sensitive periods of brain development (e.g., first postnatal weeks in rodents). We review this emerging literature as it relates to the known neurobiology of AUDs and SUDs and suggest new avenues of research. Such findings will have implications for the treatment and prevention of AUDs and SUDs and could provide insight into factors that support resiliency.
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Yang Y, Liu Y, Wang G, Hei G, Wang X, Li R, Li L, Wu R, Zhao J. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with cognitive impairments in first-episode and chronic schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2019; 273:528-536. [PMID: 30710808 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This study aims to examine the relation between plasma BDNF levels and the cognition of patients with schizophrenia. We recruited 31 patients with chronic schizophrenia, 34 first-episode patients, and 35 healthy control subjects. We examined the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the plasma BDNF levels in all groups. The schizophrenic symptoms were assessed using the positive and negative syndrome scale. The BDNF levels of schizophrenic patients were remarkably lower than those of the controls. The cognitive MCCB global composite scores and part index scores of schizophrenic patients were remarkably lower than those of the controls. Moreover, remarkable correlations were observed between BDNF levels and partial cognitive dimensions, such as visual learning, memory, and processing speed. Therefore, BDNF may be involved in the pathophysiology and cognitive impairment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Guodong Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Gangrui Hei
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Ranran Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
| | - Renrong Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China.
| | - Jingping Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Changsha, China
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16
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Bozzi Cionci N, Baffoni L, Gaggìa F, Di Gioia D. Therapeutic Microbiology: The Role of Bifidobacterium breve as Food Supplement for the Prevention/Treatment of Paediatric Diseases. Nutrients 2018; 10:E1723. [PMID: 30423810 PMCID: PMC6265827 DOI: 10.3390/nu10111723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human intestinal microbiota, establishing a symbiotic relationship with the host, plays a significant role for human health. It is also well known that a disease status is frequently characterized by a dysbiotic condition of the gut microbiota. A probiotic treatment can represent an alternative therapy for enteric disorders and human pathologies not apparently linked to the gastrointestinal tract. Among bifidobacteria, strains of the species Bifidobacterium breve are widely used in paediatrics. B. breve is the dominant species in the gut of breast-fed infants and it has also been isolated from human milk. It has antimicrobial activity against human pathogens, it does not possess transmissible antibiotic resistance traits, it is not cytotoxic and it has immuno-stimulating abilities. This review describes the applications of B. breve strains mainly for the prevention/treatment of paediatric pathologies. The target pathologies range from widespread gut diseases, including diarrhoea and infant colics, to celiac disease, obesity, allergic and neurological disorders. Moreover, B. breve strains are used for the prevention of side infections in preterm newborns and during antibiotic treatments or chemotherapy. With this documentation, we hope to increase knowledge on this species to boost the interest in the emerging discipline known as "therapeutic microbiology".
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Bozzi Cionci
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Loredana Baffoni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Francesca Gaggìa
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Diana Di Gioia
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
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17
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Szepesi Z, Manouchehrian O, Bachiller S, Deierborg T. Bidirectional Microglia-Neuron Communication in Health and Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:323. [PMID: 30319362 PMCID: PMC6170615 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 279] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are ramified cells that exhibit highly motile processes, which continuously survey the brain parenchyma and react to any insult to the CNS homeostasis. Although microglia have long been recognized as a crucial player in generating and maintaining inflammatory responses in the CNS, now it has become clear, that their function are much more diverse, particularly in the healthy brain. The innate immune response and phagocytosis represent only a little segment of microglia functional repertoire that also includes maintenance of biochemical homeostasis, neuronal circuit maturation during development and experience-dependent remodeling of neuronal circuits in the adult brain. Being equipped by numerous receptors and cell surface molecules microglia can perform bidirectional interactions with other cell types in the CNS. There is accumulating evidence showing that neurons inform microglia about their status and thus are capable of controlling microglial activation and motility while microglia also modulate neuronal activities. This review addresses the topic: how microglia communicate with other cell types in the brain, including fractalkine signaling, secreted soluble factors and extracellular vesicles. We summarize the current state of knowledge of physiological role and function of microglia during brain development and in the mature brain and further highlight microglial contribution to brain pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, brain ischemia, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor as well as neuropsychiatric diseases (depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Szepesi
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oscar Manouchehrian
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Bachiller
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tomas Deierborg
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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18
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Mohammadi A, Rashidi E, Amooeian VG. Brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum biomarkers in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2018; 265:25-38. [PMID: 29680514 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, finding a reliable biomarker for the early detection of schizophrenia (Scz) has been a topic of interest. The main goal of the current review is to provide a comprehensive view of the brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and serum biomarkers of Scz disease. Imaging studies have demonstrated that the volumes of the corpus callosum, thalamus, hippocampal formation, subiculum, parahippocampal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, and amygdala-hippocampal complex were reduced in patients diagnosed with Scz. It has been revealed that the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were increased in patients with Scz. Decreased mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), nerve growth factor (NGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes have also been reported in Scz patients. Genes with known strong relationships with this disease include BDNF, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4), dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (DTNBP1), neuregulin 1 (NRG1), Reelin (RELN), Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1), glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD 67), and disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1). The levels of dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor 1A and B (5-HTR1A and 5-HTR1B), and 5-HT1B were significantly increased in Scz patients, while the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 5-HT transporter (5-HTT), and 5-HT receptor 2A (5-HTR2A) were decreased. The increased levels of SELENBP1 and Glycogen synthase kinase 3 subunit α (GSK3α) genes in contrast with reduced levels of B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1), human leukocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A3 (HNRPA3), and serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SFRS1) genes have also been reported. This review covers various dysregulation of neurotransmitters and also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of studies attempting to identify candidate biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mohammadi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Rashidi
- Students' Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Ghasem Amooeian
- Students' Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Primavera D, Manchia M, Deriu L, Tusconi M, Collu R, Scherma M, Fadda P, Fratta W, Carpiniello B. Longitudinal assessment of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in Sardinian psychotic patients (LABSP): a protocol for a prospective observational study. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e014938. [PMID: 28550022 PMCID: PMC5729982 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity and neuronal function and survival. Serum and plasma BDNF levels are moderately, but consistently, decreased in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) compared with healthy controls. There is a lack of knowledge, however, on the temporal manifestation of this decline. Clinical, illness course and treatment factors might influence the variation of BDNF serum levels in patients with psychosis. In this context, we propose a longitudinal study of a cohort of SCZ and schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorder (SAD) Sardinian patients with the aim of disentangling the relationship between peripheral BDNF serum levels and changes of psychopathology, cognition and drug treatments. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Longitudinal assessment of BDNF in Sardinian psychotic patients (LABSP) is a 24-month observational prospective cohort study. Patients with SAD will be recruited at the Psychiatry Research Unit of the Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari and University of Cagliari Health Agency, Cagliari, Italy. We will collect BDNF serum levels as well as sociodemographic, psychopathological and neurocognitive measures. Structured, semistructured and self-rating assessment tools, such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for psychopathological measures and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia for cognitive function, will be used. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study protocol was approved by the University of Cagliari Health Agency Ethics Committee (NP2016/5491). The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of good clinical practice, in the Declaration of Helsinki in compliance with the regulations. Participation will be voluntary and written informed consent will be obtained for each participant upon entry into the study. We plan to disseminate the results of our study through conference presentations and publication in international peer-reviewed journals. Access to raw data will be available in anonymised form upon request to the corresponding author.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Primavera
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mirko Manchia
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Luca Deriu
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Massimo Tusconi
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Collu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Scherma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paola Fadda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Centre of Excellence 'Neurobiology of Dependence', University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Walter Fratta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Centre of Excellence 'Neurobiology of Dependence', University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Bernardo Carpiniello
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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20
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Voisey J, Mehta D, McLeay R, Morris CP, Wockner LF, Noble EP, Lawford BR, Young RM. Clinically proven drug targets differentially expressed in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia patients. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 61:259-265. [PMID: 27940260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the heterogeneous nature of schizophrenia, understanding the genetic risk for the disease is a complex task. Gene expression studies have proven to be more reliable than association studies as they are consistently replicated in a tissue specific manner. METHODS Using RNA-Seq we analysed gene expression in the frontal cortex of 24 individuals with schizophrenia and 25 unaffected controls. RESULTS We identified 1146 genes that were differentially expressed in schizophrenia, approximately 60% of which were up-regulated and 366 of 1146 (32%) also have aberrant DNA methylation (p=2.46×10-39). The differentially expressed genes were significantly overrepresented in several pathways including inflammatory (p=8.7×10-3) and nitric oxide pathways (p=9.2×10-4). Moreover, these genes were significantly enriched for those with a druggable genome (p=0.04). We identified a number of genes that are significantly up-regulated in schizophrenia as confirmed in other gene expression studies using different brain tissues. Of the 349 genes associated with schizophrenia from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium we identified 16 genes that are significant from our list of differentially expressed genes. CONCLUSIONS Our results identified biological functional genes that are differentially expressed in schizophrenia. A subset of these genes are clinically proven drug targets. We also found a strong pattern of differentially expressed immune response genes that may reflect an underlying defect in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Voisey
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Divya Mehta
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert McLeay
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Charles P Morris
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leesa F Wockner
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ernest P Noble
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bruce R Lawford
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ross McD Young
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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21
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Kapelski P, Skibinska M, Maciukiewicz M, Pawlak J, Dmitrzak-Weglarz M, Szczepankiewicz A, Zaremba D, Twarowska-Hauser J. An Association Between Functional Polymorphisms of the Interleukin 1 Gene Complex and Schizophrenia Using Transmission Disequilibrium Test. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2017; 64:161-168. [PMID: 28083609 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-016-0434-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
IL1 gene complex has been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia. To assess whether IL1 gene complex is associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia in Polish population we conducted family-based study. Functional polymorphisms from IL1A (rs1800587, rs17561, rs11677416), IL1B (rs1143634, rs1143643, rs16944, rs4848306, rs1143623, rs1143633, rs1143627) and IL1RN (rs419598, rs315952, rs9005, rs4251961) genes were genotyped in 143 trio with schizophrenia. Statistical analysis was performed using transmission disequilibrium test. We have found a trend toward an association of rs1143627, rs16944, rs1143623 in IL1B gene with the risk of schizophrenia. Our results show a protective effect of allele T of rs4251961 in IL1RN against schizophrenia. We also performed haplotype analysis of IL1 gene complex and found a trend toward an association with schizophrenia of GAGG haplotype (rs1143627, rs16944, rs1143623, rs4848306) in IL1B gene, haplotypes: TG (rs315952, rs9005) and TT (rs4251961, rs419598) in IL1RN. Haplotype CT (rs4251961, rs419598) in IL1RN was found to be associated with schizophrenia. After correction for multiple testing associations did not reach significance level. Our results might support theory that polymorphisms of interleukin 1 complex genes (rs1143627, rs16944, rs1143623, rs4848306 in IL1B gene and rs4251961, rs419598, rs315952, rs9005 in IL1RN gene) are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, however, none of the results reach significance level after correction for multiple testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Kapelski
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Maria Skibinska
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Maciukiewicz
- Pharmacogenetics Research Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T1R8, Canada
| | - Joanna Pawlak
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland
| | - Monika Dmitrzak-Weglarz
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Szczepankiewicz
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dorota Zaremba
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Twarowska-Hauser
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland
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22
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Alelú-Paz R, Carmona FJ, Sanchez-Mut JV, Cariaga-Martínez A, González-Corpas A, Ashour N, Orea MJ, Escanilla A, Monje A, Guerrero Márquez C, Saiz-Ruiz J, Esteller M, Ropero S. Epigenetics in Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study of Global DNA Methylation in Different Brain Regions Associated with Higher Cognitive Functions. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1496. [PMID: 27746755 PMCID: PMC5044511 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Attempts to discover genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders have been frustrating and often fruitless. Concern is building about the need to understand the complex ways in which nature and nurture interact to produce mental illness. We analyze the epigenome in several brain regions from schizophrenic patients with severe cognitive impairment using high-resolution (450K) DNA methylation array. We identified 139 differentially methylated CpG sites included in known and novel candidate genes sequences as well as in and intergenic sequences which functions remain unknown. We found that altered DNA methylation is not restricted to a particular region, but includes others such as CpG shelves and gene bodies, indicating the presence of different DNA methylation signatures depending on the brain area analyzed. Our findings suggest that epimutations are not relatables between different tissues or even between tissues' regions, highlighting the need to adequately study brain samples to obtain reliable data concerning the epigenetics of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alelú-Paz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y CajalMadrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Carmona
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | - José V Sanchez-Mut
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariel Cariaga-Martínez
- Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana González-Corpas
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Nadia Ashour
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria J Orea
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Escanilla
- Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Monje
- Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jerónimo Saiz-Ruiz
- Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal Madrid, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis AvançatsBarcelona, Spain; Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine, University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Ropero
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain
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Strzelecki D, Kałużyńska O, Wysokiński A. BDNF serum levels in schizophrenic patients during treatment augmentation with sarcosine (results of the PULSAR study). Psychiatry Res 2016; 242:54-60. [PMID: 27262086 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Revised: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM Finding a relationship between schizophrenia symptoms severity and initial level of BDNF and its changes during augmentation of antipsychotic treatment with sarcosine. METHOD 57 individuals with schizophrenia with predominantly negative symptoms completed a 6-month RCT prospective study. The patients received 2g of sarcosine (n=27) or placebo (n=30) daily. At the beginning, after 6 weeks and 6 months BDNF levels were measured. Severity of symptoms was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). RESULTS BDNF serum levels were stable after 6 weeks and 6 months in both groups. We noted improvement in negative symptoms, general psychopathology and total PANSS score in sarcosine group comparing to placebo, however there was no correlations between serum BDNF concentrations and PANSS scores in all assessments. Initial serum BDNF concentrations cannot be used as a predictor of the improvement resulting from adding sarcosine. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that either BDNF is not involved in the NMDA-dependent mechanism of sarcosine action or global changes in BDNF concentrations induced by amino-acid cannot be detected in blood assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Strzelecki
- Department of Affective and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.
| | - Olga Kałużyńska
- Department of Affective and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Adam Wysokiński
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
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van den Oord EJCG, Clark SL, Xie LY, Shabalin AA, Dozmorov MG, Kumar G, Vladimirov VI, Magnusson PKE, Aberg KA. A Whole Methylome CpG-SNP Association Study of Psychosis in Blood and Brain Tissue. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42:1018-26. [PMID: 26656881 PMCID: PMC4903046 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Mutated CpG sites (CpG-SNPs) are potential hotspots for human diseases because in addition to the sequence variation they may show individual differences in DNA methylation. We performed methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) to test whether methylation differences at those sites were associated with schizophrenia. We assayed all common CpG-SNPs with methyl-CpG binding domain protein-enriched genome sequencing (MBD-seq) using DNA extracted from 1408 blood samples and 66 postmortem brain samples (BA10) of schizophrenia cases and controls. Seven CpG-SNPs passed our FDR threshold of 0.1 in the blood MWAS. Of the CpG-SNPs methylated in brain, 94% were also methylated in blood. This significantly exceeded the 46.2% overlap expected by chance (P-value < 1.0×10(-8)) and justified replicating findings from blood in brain tissue. CpG-SNP rs3796293 in IL1RAP replicated (P-value = .003) with the same direction of effects. This site was further validated through targeted bisulfite pyrosequencing in 736 independent case-control blood samples (P-value < 9.5×10(-4)). Our top result in the brain MWAS (P-value = 8.8×10(-7)) was CpG-SNP rs16872141 located in the potential promoter of ENC1. Overall, our results suggested that CpG-SNP methylation may reflect effects of environmental insults and can provide biomarkers in blood that could potentially improve disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin J C G van den Oord
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA;
| | - Shaunna L Clark
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Lin Ying Xie
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Andrey A Shabalin
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Mikhail G Dozmorov
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Vladimir I Vladimirov
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Patrik K E Magnusson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina A Aberg
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
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25
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Pujol Lopez Y, Kenis G, Stettinger W, Neumeier K, de Jonge S, Steinbusch HWM, Zill P, van den Hove DLA, Myint AM. Effects of prenatal Poly I:C exposure on global histone deacetylase (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity in the mouse brain. Mol Biol Rep 2016; 43:711-7. [PMID: 27216537 PMCID: PMC4906067 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-016-4006-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate the brain-specific epigenetic effects on global enzymatic histone deacetylase (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity after prenatal exposure to maternal immune challenge by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) at gestational day (GD) 17 in C57BL/6JRccHsd mouse offspring. Pregnant mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, receiving either 5 mg/kg Poly I:C or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) intravenously at GD 17. Subsequently, the effects on whole brain enzymatic HDAC and DNMT activity and the protein levels of various HDAC isoforms were assessed in the offspring. Overall, a significant sex × treatment interaction effect was observed after prenatal exposure to maternal immune challenge by Poly I:C, indicative of increased global HDAC activity particularly in female offspring from mothers injected with Poly I:C when compared to controls. Results on the levels of specific HDAC isoforms suggested that neither differences in the levels of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4 or HDAC6 could explain the increased global HDAC activity observed in female Poly I:C offspring. In conclusion, we show that Poly I:C administration to pregnant mice alters global brain HDAC, but not DNMT activity in adult offspring, whereas it is still unclear which specific HDAC(s) mediate(s) this effect. These results indicate the necessity for further research on the epigenetic effects of Poly I:C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Pujol Lopez
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Universiteitssingel 50, Room 1.148, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Gunter Kenis
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Universiteitssingel 50, Room 1.148, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Karin Neumeier
- Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Sylvia de Jonge
- Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Harry W M Steinbusch
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Universiteitssingel 50, Room 1.148, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Zill
- Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel L A van den Hove
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Universiteitssingel 50, Room 1.148, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Aye M Myint
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Universiteitssingel 50, Room 1.148, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
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Lapp HE, Hunter RG. The dynamic genome: transposons and environmental adaptation in the nervous system. Epigenomics 2016; 8:237-49. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Classically thought as genomic clutter, the functional significance of transposable elements (TEs) has only recently become a focus of attention in neuroscience. Increasingly, studies have demonstrated that the brain seems to have more retrotransposition and TE transcription relative to other somatic tissues, suggesting a unique role for TEs in the central nervous system. TE expression and transposition also appear to vary by brain region and change in response to environmental stimuli such as stress. TEs appear to serve a number of adaptive roles in the nervous system. The regulation of TE expression by steroid, epigenetic and other mechanisms in interplay with the environment represents a significant and novel avenue to understanding both normal brain function and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Lapp
- Department of Psychology & Developmental Brain Sciences Program, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125-3393, USA
| | - Richard G Hunter
- Department of Psychology & Developmental Brain Sciences Program, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125-3393, USA
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Astrocytes as Pharmacological Targets in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800981-9.00025-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Zhang XY, Tan YL, Chen DC, Tan SP, Yang FD, Wu HE, Zunta-Soares GB, Huang XF, Kosten TR, Soares JC. Interaction of BDNF with cytokines in chronic schizophrenia. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 51:169-175. [PMID: 26407757 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) interacts with cytokines. Although both BDNF and cytokines occur at abnormal levels in schizophrenia patients, their interactions have not yet been examined. We therefore compared serum BDNF, TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in 92 chronically medicated schizophrenia patients and 60 healthy controls. We correlated these serum levels within these subject groups with each other and with clinical symptoms assessed according to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Compared to the control group, the schizophrenia patients had significantly lower BDNF and TNF-α levels, and higher IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels. The patients also showed a significant positive correlation between BDNF and both IL-2 and IL-8 levels, and low BDNF and TNF-α levels together were associated with poor performance on the PANSS cognitive factor. Thus, an interaction between cytokines and neurotrophic factors may be implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic schizophrenia. In particular, the cytokine TNF-α may interact with BNDF causing cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yang Zhang
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Yun-Long Tan
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Da-Chun Chen
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Ping Tan
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fu-De Yang
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hanjing Emily Wu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Giovana B Zunta-Soares
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- Centre for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas R Kosten
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jair C Soares
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Kapelski P, Skibinska M, Maciukiewicz M, Wilkosc M, Frydecka D, Groszewska A, Narozna B, Dmitrzak-Weglarz M, Czerski P, Pawlak J, Rajewska-Rager A, Leszczynska-Rodziewicz A, Slopien A, Zaremba D, Twarowska-Hauser J. Association study of functional polymorphisms in interleukins and interleukin receptors genes: IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, IL6, IL6R, IL10, IL10RA and TGFB1 in schizophrenia in Polish population. Schizophr Res 2015; 169:1-9. [PMID: 26481614 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia has been associated with a large range of autoimmune diseases, with a history of any autoimmune disease being associated with a 45% increase in risk for the illness. The inflammatory system may trigger or modulate the course of schizophrenia through complex mechanisms influencing neurodevelopment, neuroplasticity and neurotransmission. In particular, increases or imbalance in cytokine before birth or during the early stages of life may affect neurodevelopment and produce vulnerability to the disease. A total of 27 polymorphisms of IL1N gene: rs1800587, rs17561; IL1B gene: rs1143634, rs1143643, rs16944, rs4848306, rs1143623, rs1143633, rs1143627; IL1RN gene: rs419598, rs315952, rs9005, rs4251961; IL6 gene: rs1800795, rs1800797; IL6R gene: rs4537545, rs4845617, rs2228145, IL10 gene: rs1800896, rs1800871, rs1800872, rs1800890, rs6676671; IL10RA gene: rs2229113, rs3135932; TGF1B gene: rs1800469, rs1800470; each selected on the basis of molecular evidence for functionality, were investigated in this study. Analysis was performed on a group of 621 patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia and 531 healthy controls in Polish population. An association of rs4848306 in IL1B gene, rs4251961 in IL1RN gene, rs2228145 and rs4537545 in IL6R with schizophrenia have been observed. rs6676671 in IL10 was associated with early age of onset. Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between analyzed polymorphisms in each gene, except of IL10RA. We observed that haplotypes composed of rs4537545 and rs2228145 in IL6R gene were associated with schizophrenia. Analyses with family history of schizophrenia, other psychiatric disorders and alcohol abuse/dependence did not show any positive findings. Further studies on larger groups along with correlation with circulating protein levels are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Kapelski
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Maria Skibinska
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Maciukiewicz
- Pharmacogenetics Research Clinic, Campbell Family Mental Health Research, Institute Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T1R8, Canada
| | - Monika Wilkosc
- Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dorota Frydecka
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agata Groszewska
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland
| | - Beata Narozna
- Department of Pulmonology, Pediatric Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Monika Dmitrzak-Weglarz
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Czerski
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Pawlak
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Anna Leszczynska-Rodziewicz
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Slopien
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dorota Zaremba
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Twarowska-Hauser
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
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A. Kato T, Hyodo F, Yamato M, Utsumi H, Kanba S. Redox and Microglia in the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2015; 135:739-43. [DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.14-00235-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro A. Kato
- Innovation Center for Medical Redox Navigation, Kyushu University
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Fuminori Hyodo
- Innovation Center for Medical Redox Navigation, Kyushu University
| | - Mayumi Yamato
- Innovation Center for Medical Redox Navigation, Kyushu University
| | - Hideo Utsumi
- Innovation Center for Medical Redox Navigation, Kyushu University
| | - Shigenobu Kanba
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
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The SHP-1 expression is associated with cytokines and psychopathological status in unmedicated first episode schizophrenia patients. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 41:251-60. [PMID: 24793756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent lines of research have boosted awareness of the immunological facets of schizophrenia. However, associations with protein tyrosine phosphatase regulators have never been reported. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression and promoter status methylation of phosphatase SHP-1, a key negative regulator of the inflammatory process, in Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Schizophrenic patients. METHODS We enrolled fifty-four (28 men and 26 women) unmedicated first episode subjects (SC) who met DSM-IV and thirty-eight (22 men and 16 women) healthy controls (HC). The SC psychopathological status was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. We evaluated SHP-1 expression by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) methods and promoter status methylation through PCR bisulfate. IKK/NFkB signaling was detected by WB, and medium and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, and TNF-α) by the ELISA method. SHP-1 was silenced by treating cells with specific siRNA. RESULTS We found a significantly lower level of SHP-1 gene expression in PBMCs from SC vs. HC, consistently with which the promoter region analyzed presented significant hypermethylation. Silencing of SHP-1 expression induced higher activation of IKK/NF-kB signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in ex vivo PBMCs from both SC and HC. Linear regression among patients generated a model in which SHP-1 expression explained 30% of the clinical negative symptom variance (adjusted R(2)=0.30, ANOVA p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings are the first to suggest that impairment of SHP-1 expression is involved in the physiopathology of schizophrenia, opening fruitful new avenues for ameliorating treatment at least of negative symptoms.
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Tsc2 Haploinsufficiency Has Limited Effects on Fetal Brain Cytokine Levels during Gestational Immune Activation. AUTISM RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2014; 2014:761279. [PMID: 25114803 PMCID: PMC4119898 DOI: 10.1155/2014/761279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated TSC/mTOR signaling may play a pathogenetic role in forms of syndromic autism, such as autism associated with tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder caused by heterozygous TSC1 or TSC2 mutations. Environmental risk factors, such as gestational viral infections, may, in some cases, also contribute to the pathogenesis of autism and related neuropsychiatric disorders. We have recently found that a heterozygous Tsc2 mutation and the poly I:C model of maternal immune activation (MIA) interactively perturb fetal development and adult social behavior in mice, suggesting that these factors converge on shared pathways. TSC/mTOR signaling plays an important role in the modulation of immune responses, raising the possibility that the damage caused by MIA was greater in Tsc2+/− than in wildtype fetuses because of an exacerbated immune response in the mutants. Here, cytokine antibody arrays were employed to measure relative cytokine abundances in the fetal brain and the placenta during MIA. Cytokines were induced by gestational poly I:C but there was no obvious modulatory effect of Tsc2 haploinsufficiency. The data indicate that cytokine exposure during MIA is comparable in Tsc2 haploinsufficient and wildtype control fetuses, suggesting that downstream molecular and cellular processes may account for the interactive effects of Tsc2 haploinsufficiency and MIA.
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Hayashi-Takagi A, Vawter MP, Iwamoto K. Peripheral biomarkers revisited: integrative profiling of peripheral samples for psychiatric research. Biol Psychiatry 2014; 75:920-8. [PMID: 24286759 PMCID: PMC4964959 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral samples, such as blood and skin, have been used for decades in psychiatric research as surrogates for central nervous system samples. Although the validity of the data obtained from peripheral samples has been questioned and other state-of-the-art techniques, such as human brain imaging, genomics, and induced pluripotent stem cells, seem to reduce the value of peripheral cells, accumulating evidence has suggested that revisiting peripheral samples is worthwhile. Here, we re-evaluate the utility of peripheral samples and argue that establishing an understanding of the common signaling and biological processes in the brain and peripheral samples is required for the validity of such models. First, we present an overview of the available types of peripheral cells and describe their advantages and disadvantages. We then briefly summarize the main achievements of omics studies, including epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analyses, as well as the main findings of functional cellular assays, the results of which imply that alterations in neurotransmission, metabolism, the cell cycle, and the immune system may be partially responsible for the pathophysiology of major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Finally, we discuss the future utility of peripheral samples for the development of biomarkers and tailor-made therapies, such as multimodal assays that are used as a battery of disease and trait pathways and that might be potent and complimentary tools for use in psychiatric research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Hayashi-Takagi
- Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo; Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this review is to analyse, sum up and discuss the available literature on the role of inflammation and inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. METHODS An electronic literature search of peer-reviewed English language articles using Pubmed was undertaken. These articles together with those published by us provided the background for the present review. RESULTS An overview of the available literature on this issue clearly demonstrated the alterations in mRNA and protein expression levels of several proinflammatory and chemotactic cytokines in patients with schizophrenia. Importantly, some of these changes are genetically determined. It was noteworthy that, depending on the study population, some variations of the data obtained are detected. CONCLUSIONS Altered inflammatory cytokine production, both genetically and environmentally determined, is implicated in schizophrenia and contributes to disease-associated low-grade systemic inflammation. Proinflammatory and chemotactic cytokines and their receptors may represent additional therapeutic targets for treatment of schizophrenia.
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Bo Y, Liu S, Yin Y, Wang Z, Cui J, Zong J, Zhang X, Li X. Association study between IL-1β-511 C/T polymorphism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in Chinese Han population. Int J Psychiatry Med 2014; 46:145-52. [PMID: 24552038 DOI: 10.2190/pm.46.2.b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM This study investigated the potential association between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and a functional polymorphism of IL-1beta-511 C/T in Chinese Han population. METHODS The authors genotyped the IL-1beta-511 C/T of 241 OCD patients and 444 healthy control subjects and then performed a case-control association analysis. RESULTS No difference was found in IL-1beta-511 C/T genotypic and allelic frequencies between OCD cases and controls (chi2 = 0.501, df = 2, P = 0.78 by genotype; chi2 = 0.487, df = 1, P = 0.49 by allele). CONCLUSION IL-1beta-511 polymorphism may not play a major role in the genetic predisposition to OCD in Chinese Han population. Given that this is an early investigation of this gene in OCD, further studies are required to draw firm conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Bo
- Shandong University and Qingdao University, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xingang Li
- Neurosurgery Department of Qilu Hospital, Brain Sciences Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Abstract
Recent studies indicate that long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) are mobilized in the genome of human neural progenitor cells and enhanced in Rett syndrome and ataxia telangiectasia. However, whether aberrant L1 retrotransposition occurs in mental disorders is unknown. Here, we report high L1 copy number in schizophrenia. Increased L1 was demonstrated in neurons from prefrontal cortex of patients and in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived neurons containing 22q11 deletions. Whole-genome sequencing revealed brain-specific L1 insertion in patients localized preferentially to synapse- and schizophrenia-related genes. To study the mechanism of L1 transposition, we examined perinatal environmental risk factors for schizophrenia in animal models and observed an increased L1 copy number after immune activation by poly-I:C or epidermal growth factor. These findings suggest that hyperactive retrotransposition of L1 in neurons triggered by environmental and/or genetic risk factors may contribute to the susceptibility and pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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A gender-specific association of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist polymorphism with schizophrenia susceptibility. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2013; 25:349-55. [PMID: 25287875 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2012.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent genetic studies have revealed that the interleukin (IL) 1 gene complex is associated with schizophrenia in the Caucasian population; however, data from the North African population are limited. To further assess the role of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist protein (IL1Ra) in schizophrenia, we examined a functional multiallelic polymorphism localised in intron 2 of this receptor gene associated with an altered level of IL1Ra. METHODS In the present case-control study, we have analysed the (86 bp) n polymorphism of the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) gene (RS 1794068) by polymerase chain reaction genotyping in 259 patients with schizophrenia and 178 healthy controls from the Tunisian population. RESULTS We showed that the frequencies of the IL1RN*2/2 genotype and allele 2 were higher in the patient group compared with the control group, and the difference was statistically significant [13.5% vs. 5.6%, p = 10-3, odds ratio (OR) = 3.2% and 32.8% vs. 21.9%, p = 3 × 10-4, OR = 1.76, respectively). When we evaluated the association between this genetic polymorphism and the clinical variables of schizophrenia, we found that the frequencies of the 2/2 genotype and allele 2 were significantly higher in the male patient group (p = 10-4 and 10-5, respectively) compared with the male control group, indicating a substantially increased risk for sex-onset schizophrenia with inheritance of the IL1RN2 allele. When the association between the genotypes and outcome was evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis, the adjusted OR for the IL1RN genotypes remained statistically significant [1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11-1.73; p = 0.003]. CONCLUSION The intron 2 polymorphism in IL1RN or a genetic polymorphism at proximity seems to be associated specifically with schizophrenia in the Tunisian male population.
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Yamamori H, Hashimoto R, Ishima T, Kishi F, Yasuda Y, Ohi K, Fujimoto M, Umeda-Yano S, Ito A, Hashimoto K, Takeda M. Plasma levels of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in treatment-resistant schizophrenia treated with clozapine. Neurosci Lett 2013; 556:37-41. [PMID: 24141084 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.09.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the survival and growth of neurons, and influences synaptic efficiency and plasticity. Peripheral BDNF levels in patients with schizophrenia have been widely reported in the literature. However, it is still controversial whether peripheral levels of BDNF are altered in patients with schizophrenia. The peripheral BDNF levels previously reported in patients with schizophrenia were total BDNF (proBDNF and mature BDNF) as it was unable to specifically measure mature BDNF due to limited BDNF antibody specificity. In this study, we examined whether peripheral levels of mature BDNF were altered in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels were also measured, as MMP-9 plays a role in the conversion of proBDNF to mature BDNF. Twenty-two patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia treated with clozapine and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. The plasma levels of mature BDNF and MMP-9 were measured using ELISA kits. No significant difference was observed for mature BDNF however, MMP-9 was significantly increased in patients with schizophrenia. The significant correlation was observed between mature BDNF and MMP-9 plasma levels. Neither mature BDNF nor MMP-9 plasma levels were associated clinical variables. Our results do not support the view that peripheral BDNF levels are associated with schizophrenia. MMP-9 may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and serve as a biomarker for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenaga Yamamori
- Department of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
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Rafiei A, Hosseini SH, Taheri M, Hosseni-khah Z, Hajilooi M, Mazaheri Z. Influence of IL-1RN intron 2 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism on bipolar disorder. Neuropsychobiology 2013; 67:116-21. [PMID: 23406623 DOI: 10.1159/000346112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Several lines of evidence point to the role of neurobiological mechanisms and genetic background in bipolar disorder (BD). The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is the principal regulator of IL-1α and IL-1β bioactivities. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphisms of the IL-1Ra gene (IL1RN) in conferring susceptibility to BD. METHODS In total, 217 patients meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for BD and 212 controls were recruited for the study. Genotyping of IL1RN was determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification of VNTR of 86 base pairs in intron 2 of IL1RN. RESULTS The genotype distribution of IL1RN polymorphism was significantly different between BD patients and controls. The IL1RN*1/2 genotype was more prevalent in BD patients than in controls (44.2 vs. 30.2%, p = 0.003). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that IL1RN*1/2 heterozygotes had a significantly higher risk for BD (OR 1.83 and 95% CI 1.22-2.74, p = 0.003). Further stratification of the BD patients into IL1RN*2 allele carrier and noncarrier subgroups revealed a strong association between IL1RN*2 carriage and prolongation of the disease (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a positive association between VNTR polymorphism in IL1RN and BD. Additional studies, particularly with a prospective approach, are necessary to clarify the precise role of the VNTR polymorphism on the disease in different ethnic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rafiei
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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41
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Li W, Zhou N, Yu Q, Li X, Yu Y, Sun S, Kou C, Chen DC, Xiu MH, Kosten TR, Zhang XY. Association of BDNF gene polymorphisms with schizophrenia and clinical symptoms in a Chinese population. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2013; 162B:538-45. [PMID: 23832605 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental hypothesis is well established in schizophrenia. Accumulating evidence has shown that BDNF may be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate the potential association of BDNF gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to schizophrenia and with the psychopathological symptoms in patients with schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population. Three polymorphisms (rs6265, rs12273539, and rs10835210) of the BDNF gene were analyzed in a case-control study of 709 Han Chinese individuals (375 patients and 334 controls). The patients' psychopathology was assessed using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). We found no significant differences in the genotype and allele distributions of all three polymorphisms between the patient and control groups; however, we found a trend toward to significant overall difference in the estimated haplotype frequencies, with more frequent haplotype ATC of rs6265-rs12273539-rs10835210 in the schizophrenic patients than in controls (P = 0.027). The quantitative trait analysis by the UNPHASED program showed significant associations between the rs6265 (A)-rs12273539 (C)-rs10835210 (A) haplotype and negative symptom scores from the PANSS (x(2) = 5.79, P = 0.016). Our findings suggest that the BDNF gene polymorphisms may play a small effect on susceptibility to schizophrenia, but may contribute to the negative symptoms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Li
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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42
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Ikegame T, Bundo M, Sunaga F, Asai T, Nishimura F, Yoshikawa A, Kawamura Y, Hibino H, Tochigi M, Kakiuchi C, Sasaki T, Kato T, Kasai K, Iwamoto K. DNA methylation analysis of BDNF gene promoters in peripheral blood cells of schizophrenia patients. Neurosci Res 2013; 77:208-14. [PMID: 23973796 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2013.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoters are associated with the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Epigenetic changes in BDNF were reported not only in brain tissues but also in other tissues, including peripheral blood cells (PBC) and saliva. We examined DNA methylation levels of BDNF promoters I and IV using genomic DNA derived from PBC of healthy controls (n=100), and patients with schizophrenia (n=100), all from the Japanese population, by pyrosequencing. The examined CpG sites were chosen based on previous epigenetic studies that reported altered DNA methylation. We found a significantly higher level of methylation at BDNF promoter I in patients with schizophrenia compared to controls, although the difference was small. Subsequent analysis revealed that in controls, the methylation level of BDNF promoters was associated with sex, and the methylation difference observed in promoter I was more prominent in male patients with schizophrenia. Epigenetic alteration of BDNF in the PBC might reflect the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and could be a potential biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tempei Ikegame
- Department of Molecular Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
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Garay PA, Hsiao EY, Patterson PH, McAllister AK. Maternal immune activation causes age- and region-specific changes in brain cytokines in offspring throughout development. Brain Behav Immun 2013; 31:54-68. [PMID: 22841693 PMCID: PMC3529133 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ). Indeed, modeling this risk factor in mice through maternal immune activation (MIA) causes ASD- and SZ-like neuropathologies and behaviors in the offspring. Although MIA upregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines in the fetal brain, whether MIA leads to long-lasting changes in brain cytokines during postnatal development remains unknown. Here, we tested this possibility by measuring protein levels of 23 cytokines in the blood and three brain regions from offspring of poly(I:C)- and saline-injected mice at five postnatal ages using multiplex arrays. Most cytokines examined are present in sera and brains throughout development. MIA induces changes in the levels of many cytokines in the brains and sera of offspring in a region- and age-specific manner. These MIA-induced changes follow a few, unexpected and distinct patterns. In frontal and cingulate cortices, several, mostly pro-inflammatory, cytokines are elevated at birth, followed by decreases during periods of synaptogenesis and plasticity, and increases again in the adult. Cytokines are also altered in postnatal hippocampus, but in a pattern distinct from the other regions. The MIA-induced changes in brain cytokines do not correlate with changes in serum cytokines from the same animals. Finally, these MIA-induced cytokine changes are not accompanied by breaches in the blood-brain barrier, immune cell infiltration or increases in microglial density. Together, these data indicate that MIA leads to long-lasting, region-specific changes in brain cytokines in offspring-similar to those reported for ASD and SZ-that may alter CNS development and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A. Garay
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
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Fineberg AM, Ellman LM. Inflammatory cytokines and neurological and neurocognitive alterations in the course of schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2013; 73:951-66. [PMID: 23414821 PMCID: PMC3641168 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that immune alterations, especially those related to inflammation, are associated with increased risk of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-related brain alterations. Much of this work has focused on the prenatal period, because infections during pregnancy have been repeatedly (albeit inconsistently) linked to risk of schizophrenia. Given that most infections do not cross the placenta, cytokines associated with inflammation (proinflammatory cytokines) have been targeted as potential mediators of the damaging effects of infection on the fetal brain in prenatal studies. Moreover, additional evidence from both human and animal studies suggests links between increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, immune-related genes, and schizophrenia as well as brain alterations associated with the disorder. Additional support for the role of altered immune factors in the etiology of schizophrenia comes from neuroimaging studies, which have linked proinflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms with some of the structural and functional abnormalities repeatedly found in schizophrenia. These findings are reviewed and discussed with a life course perspective, examining the contribution of inflammation from the fetal period to disorder presentation. Unexplored areas and future directions, such as the interplay between inflammation, genes, and individual-level environmental factors (e.g., stress, sleep, and nutrition), are also discussed.
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45
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Mouri A, Nagai T, Ibi D, Yamada K. Animal models of schizophrenia for molecular and pharmacological intervention and potential candidate molecules. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 53:61-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Revised: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Sotoyama H, Namba H, Chiken S, Nambu A, Nawa H. Exposure to the cytokine EGF leads to abnormal hyperactivity of pallidal GABA neurons: implications for schizophrenia and its modeling. J Neurochem 2013; 126:518-28. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2012] [Revised: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Sotoyama
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology; Brain Research Institute; Niigata University; Niigata Japan
| | - Hisaaki Namba
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology; Brain Research Institute; Niigata University; Niigata Japan
| | - Satomi Chiken
- Division of System Neurobiology; National Institute for Physiological Sciences and Department of Physiological Sciences; Graduate University for Advanced Studies; Myodaiji Okazaki Japan
| | - Atsushi Nambu
- Division of System Neurobiology; National Institute for Physiological Sciences and Department of Physiological Sciences; Graduate University for Advanced Studies; Myodaiji Okazaki Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology; Brain Research Institute; Niigata University; Niigata Japan
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Gottschalk MG, Sarnyai Z, Guest PC, Harris LW, Bahn S. Estudos traducionais de neuropsiquiatria e esquizofrenia: modelos animais genéticos e de neurodesenvolvimento. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1590/s0101-60832012005000007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sintomas psiquiátricos são subjetivos por natureza e tendem a se sobrepor entre diferentes desordens. Sendo assim, a criação de modelos de uma desordem neuropsiquiátrica encontra desafios pela falta de conhecimento dos fundamentos da fisiopatologia e diagnósticos precisos. Modelos animais são usados para testar hipóteses de etiologia e para representar a condição humana tão próximo quanto possível para aumentar nosso entendimento da doença e avaliar novos alvos para a descoberta de drogas. Nesta revisão, modelos animais genéticos e de neurodesenvolvimento de esquizofrenia são discutidos com respeito a achados comportamentais e neurofisiológicos e sua associação com a condição clínica. Somente modelos animais específicos de esquizofrenia podem, em último caso, levar a novas abordagens diagnósticas e descoberta de drogas. Argumentamos que biomarcadores moleculares são importantes para aumentar a tradução de animais a humanos, já que faltam a especificidade e a fidelidade necessárias às leituras comportamentais para avaliar sintomas psiquiátricos humanos.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sabine Bahn
- Universidade de Cambridge; Centro Médico Erasmus
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Saxena V, Ramdas S, Ochoa CR, Wallace D, Bhide P, Kohane I. Structural, genetic, and functional signatures of disordered neuro-immunological development in autism spectrum disorder. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48835. [PMID: 23239965 PMCID: PMC3514226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2010] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous linkage studies have been performed in pedigrees of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and these studies point to diverse loci and etiologies of autism in different pedigrees. The underlying pattern may be identified by an integrative approach, especially since ASD is a complex disorder manifested through many loci. Method Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was studied through two different and independent genome-scale measurement modalities. We analyzed the results of copy number variation in autism and triangulated these with linkage studies. Results Consistently across both genome-scale measurements, the same two molecular themes emerged: immune/chemokine pathways and developmental pathways. Conclusion Linkage studies in aggregate do indeed share a thematic consistency, one which structural analyses recapitulate with high significance. These results also show for the first time that genomic profiling of pathways using a recombination distance metric can capture pathways that are consistent with those obtained from copy number variations (CNV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Saxena
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America.
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An environmental analysis of genes associated with schizophrenia: hypoxia and vascular factors as interacting elements in the neurodevelopmental model. Mol Psychiatry 2012; 17:1194-205. [PMID: 22290124 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2011.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Investigating and understanding gene-environment interaction (G × E) in a neurodevelopmentally and biologically plausible manner is a major challenge for schizophrenia research. Hypoxia during neurodevelopment is one of several environmental factors related to the risk of schizophrenia, and links between schizophrenia candidate genes and hypoxia regulation or vascular expression have been proposed. Given the availability of a wealth of complex genetic information on schizophrenia in the literature without knowledge on the connections to environmental factors, we now systematically collected genes from candidate studies (using SzGene), genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and copy number variation (CNV) analyses, and then applied four criteria to test for a (theoretical) link to ischemia-hypoxia and/or vascular factors. In all, 55% of the schizophrenia candidate genes (n=42 genes) met the criteria for a link to ischemia-hypoxia and/or vascular factors. Genes associated with schizophrenia showed a significant, threefold enrichment among genes that were derived from microarray studies of the ischemia-hypoxia response (IHR) in the brain. Thus, the finding of a considerable match between genes associated with the risk of schizophrenia and IHR and/or vascular factors is reproducible. An additional survey of genes identified by GWAS and CNV analyses suggested novel genes that match the criteria. Findings for interactions between specific variants of genes proposed to be IHR and/or vascular factors with obstetric complications in patients with schizophrenia have been reported in the literature. Therefore, the extended gene set defined here may form a reasonable and evidence-based starting point for hypothesis-based testing of G × E interactions in clinical genetic and translational neuroscience studies.
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Chiba S, Numakawa T, Ninomiya M, Richards MC, Wakabayashi C, Kunugi H. Chronic restraint stress causes anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, downregulates glucocorticoid receptor expression, and attenuates glutamate release induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 39:112-9. [PMID: 22664354 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 410] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2012] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Stress and the resulting increase in glucocorticoid levels have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. We investigated the effects of chronic restraint stress (CRS: 6 hours × 28 days) on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in rats and on the possible changes in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-dependent neural function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We observed significant reductions in body weight gain, food intake and sucrose preference from 1 week after the onset of CRS. In the 5th week of CRS, we conducted open-field (OFT), elevated plus-maze (EPM) and forced swim tests (FST). We observed a decrease in the number of entries into open arms during the EPM (anxiety-like behavior) and increased immobility during the FST (depression-like behavior). When the PFC was removed after CRS and subject to western blot analysis, the GR expression reduced compared with control, while the levels of BDNF and its receptors remained unchanged. Basal glutamate concentrations in PFC acute slice which were measured by high performance liquid chromatography were not influenced by CRS. However, BDNF-induced glutamate release was attenuated after CRS. These results suggest that reduced GR expression and altered BDNF function may be involved in chronic stress-induced anxiety--and depression-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Chiba
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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