1
|
Rubens M, Bruenig D, Adams JAM, Suresh SM, Sathyanarayanan A, Haslam D, Shenk CE, Mathews B, Mehta D. Childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105079. [PMID: 36764637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment (CM) encompasses sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic and family violence. Epigenetic research investigating CM has focused on differential DNA methylation (DNAm) in genes associated with the stress response, but there has been limited evaluation of the specific effects of subtypes of CM. This systematic review of literature investigating DNAm associated with CM in non-clinical populations aimed to summarise the approaches currently used in research, how the type of maltreatment and age of exposure were encoded via methylation, and which genes have consistently been associated with CM. A total of fifty-four papers were eligible for review, including forty-one candidate gene studies, eight epigenome-wide association studies, and five studies with a mixed design. The ways in which the various forms of CM were conceptualised and measured varied between papers. Future studies would benefit from assessments that employ conceptually robust definitions of CM, and that capture important contextual information such as age of exposure and subtype of CM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Rubens
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Dagmar Bruenig
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Jessica A M Adams
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Shruthi M Suresh
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Anita Sathyanarayanan
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Divna Haslam
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, School of Law, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia; Parenting and Family Support Centre, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Chad E Shenk
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Ben Mathews
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, School of Law, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA
| | - Divya Mehta
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shanazz K, Nalloor R, Lucas R, Vazdarjanova A. Neuroinflammation is a susceptibility factor in developing a PTSD-like phenotype. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1112837. [PMID: 37064304 PMCID: PMC10090279 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1112837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that occurs after a traumatic event in a subset of exposed individuals. This implies the existence of susceptibility factors that foster the development of PTSD. Susceptibility factors are present before trauma and can contribute to the development and maintenance of PTSD after trauma. Manipulation of susceptibility factors may decrease the probability of developing PTSD. A putative susceptibility factor is inflammation. Patients with PTSD have been documented to have a higher pro-inflammatory profile compared to non-PTSD subjects. In addition, they are more likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease which has a strong inflammation component. It is not known, however, whether inflammation plays a role in developing PTSD or whether reducing inflammation can prevent PTSD.MethodsWe used the Revealing Individual Susceptibility to a PTSD-like phenotype (RISP) model to behaviorally classify male rats as resilient or susceptible before trauma and tested their serum and prefrontal cortical (mPFC) levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, IL-10, IFN IFNγ, and KC/GRO to determine whether inflammation represents a putative susceptibility factor for PTSD.ResultsWe found elevated IL-6 levels in the mPFC, but not serum, of susceptible rats compared to resilient animals before trauma. Serum and mPFC levels were not correlated in any of the cytokines/chemokines. Rats with high anxiety-like behavior had elevated IL-6 and IL-10 mPFC levels. Acoustic startle responses were not associated with cytokine/chemokine levels.DiscussionNeuroinflammation, rather than systemic inflammation exists in susceptible male rats before trauma and is thus a putative susceptibility factor for PTSD. Thus, susceptibility appears neurogenic in its pathogenesis. The lack of differences between susceptible and resilient rats in serum cytokine/chemokine levels infers that peripheral markers will not be useful in determining susceptibility. Chronic neuroinflammation appears more broadly associated with anxiety rather than startle responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khadijah Shanazz
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Rebecca Nalloor
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Rudolf Lucas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Almira Vazdarjanova
- VA Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Almira Vazdarjanova,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sathyanarayanan A, Mueller TT, Ali Moni M, Schueler K, Baune BT, Lio P, Mehta D, Baune BT, Dierssen M, Ebert B, Fabbri C, Fusar-Poli P, Gennarelli M, Harmer C, Howes OD, Janzing JGE, Lio P, Maron E, Mehta D, Minelli A, Nonell L, Pisanu C, Potier MC, Rybakowski F, Serretti A, Squassina A, Stacey D, van Westrhenen R, Xicota L. Multi-omics data integration methods and their applications in psychiatric disorders. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 69:26-46. [PMID: 36706689 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
To study mental illness and health, in the past researchers have often broken down their complexity into individual subsystems (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, clinical data) and explored the components independently. Technological advancements and decreasing costs of high throughput sequencing has led to an unprecedented increase in data generation. Furthermore, over the years it has become increasingly clear that these subsystems do not act in isolation but instead interact with each other to drive mental illness and health. Consequently, individual subsystems are now analysed jointly to promote a holistic understanding of the underlying biological complexity of health and disease. Complementing the increasing data availability, current research is geared towards developing novel methods that can efficiently combine the information rich multi-omics data to discover biologically meaningful biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. However, clinical translation of the research is still challenging. In this review, we summarise conventional and state-of-the-art statistical and machine learning approaches for discovery of biomarker, diagnosis, as well as outcome and treatment response prediction through integrating multi-omics and clinical data. In addition, we describe the role of biological model systems and in silico multi-omics model designs in clinical translation of psychiatric research from bench to bedside. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and explore the application of multi-omics integration in future psychiatric research. The review provides a structured overview and latest updates in the field of multi-omics in psychiatry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Sathyanarayanan
- Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Tamara T Mueller
- Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Informatics in Medicine, TU Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Mohammad Ali Moni
- Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health Data Science, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Katja Schueler
- Clinic for Psychosomatics, Hospital zum Heiligen Geist, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Psychoanalytic Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bernhard T Baune
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Münster, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pietro Lio
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Divya Mehta
- Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
| | | | - Bernhard T Baune
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Münster, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bjarke Ebert
- Medical Strategy & Communication, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark
| | - Chiara Fabbri
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Early Psychosis: Intervention and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Massimo Gennarelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia; Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Oliver D Howes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychiatric Imaging, Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Pietro Lio
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Eduard Maron
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Documental Ltd, Tallin, Estonia; West Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Divya Mehta
- Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Alessandra Minelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia; Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lara Nonell
- MARGenomics, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia Pisanu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Filip Rybakowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Squassina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - David Stacey
- British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roos van Westrhenen
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health and Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Xicota
- Paris Brain Institute ICM, Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Case SM, Feldman CH, Guan H, Stevens E, Kubzansky LD, Koenen KC, Costenbader KH. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Among Medicaid Recipients. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023; 75:174-179. [PMID: 34309239 PMCID: PMC8789937 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a severe trauma-related mental disorder, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk in a large, diverse population enrolled in Medicaid, a US government-sponsored health insurance program for low-income individuals. METHODS We identified SLE cases and controls among patients ages 18-65 years enrolled in Medicaid for ≥12 months in the 29 most populated US states from 2007 to 2010. SLE and PTSD case statuses were defined based on validated patterns of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Index date was the date of the first SLE code. Controls had no SLE codes but had another inpatient or outpatient code on the index date and were matched 1:10 to cases by age, sex, and race. Conditional logistic regressions calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association of PTSD with incident SLE, adjusting for smoking, obesity, oral contraceptive use, and other covariates. RESULTS A total of 10,942 incident SLE cases were matched to 109,420 controls. The prevalence of PTSD was higher in SLE cases, at 10.74 cases of PTSD per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 9.37-12.31) versus 7.83 cases (95% CI 7.42-8.27) in controls. The multivariable-adjusted OR for SLE among those with PTSD was 2.00 (95% CI 1.64-2.46). CONCLUSION In this large, racially and sociodemographically diverse US population, we found patients with a prior PTSD diagnosis had twice the odds of a subsequent diagnosis of SLE. Studies are necessary to clarify the mechanisms driving the observed association and to inform possible interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hongshu Guan
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emma Stevens
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Karestan C Koenen
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Immunogenetics of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women veterans. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 26:100567. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
|
6
|
Long non-coding RNA LINC00926 regulates WNT10B signaling pathway thereby altering inflammatory gene expression in PTSD. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:200. [PMID: 35551428 PMCID: PMC9098154 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01971-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which frequently occurs in the aftermath of a psychologically traumatic event is characterized by heightened inflammation. People with PTSD also suffer from a number of comorbid clinical and behavioral disorders that are related to chronic inflammation. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of enhanced inflammation in PTSD can provide insights into the relationship between PTSD and associated comorbid disorders. In the current study, we investigated the role of large intervening non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) in the regulation of inflammation in people diagnosed with PTSD. We observed that WNT ligand, WNT10B, was upregulated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of PTSD patients. This observation was associated with higher H3K4me3 signals around WNT10B promotor in PTSD patients compared to those without PTSD. Increased H3K4me3 resulted from LINC00926, which we found to be upregulated in the PTSD sample, bringing in histone methyltransferase, MLL1, onto WNT10B promotor leading to the introduction of H3K4 trimethylation. The addition of recombinant human WNT10B to pre-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) led to increased expression of inflammatory genes such as IFNG and IL17A, suggesting that WNT10B is involved in their upregulation. Together, our data suggested that LINC00926 interacts physically with MLL1 and thereby controls the expression of IFNG and IL17A. This is the first time a long non-coding RNA is shown to regulate the expression of WNT10B and consequently inflammation. This observation has high relevance to our understanding of disease mechanisms of PTSD and comorbidities associated with PTSD.
Collapse
|
7
|
Núñez-Rios DL, Martínez-Magaña JJ, Nagamatsu ST, Andrade-Brito DE, Forero DA, Orozco-Castaño CA, Montalvo-Ortiz JL. Central and Peripheral Immune Dysregulation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Convergent Multi-Omics Evidence. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051107. [PMID: 35625844 PMCID: PMC9138536 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and multifactorial disorder with a prevalence ranging between 6–10% in the general population and ~35% in individuals with high lifetime trauma exposure. Growing evidence indicates that the immune system may contribute to the etiology of PTSD, suggesting the inflammatory dysregulation as a hallmark feature of PTSD. However, the potential interplay between the central and peripheral immune system, as well as the biological mechanisms underlying this dysregulation remain poorly understood. The activation of the HPA axis after trauma exposure and the subsequent activation of the inflammatory system mediated by glucocorticoids is the most common mechanism that orchestrates an exacerbated immunological response in PTSD. Recent high-throughput analyses in peripheral and brain tissue from both humans with and animal models of PTSD have found that changes in gene regulation via epigenetic alterations may participate in the impaired inflammatory signaling in PTSD. The goal of this review is to assess the role of the inflammatory system in PTSD across tissue and species, with a particular focus on the genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics domains. We conducted an integrative multi-omics approach identifying TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) signaling, interleukins, chemokines, Toll-like receptors and glucocorticoids among the common dysregulated pathways in both central and peripheral immune systems in PTSD and propose potential novel drug targets for PTSD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana L. Núñez-Rios
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (D.L.N.-R.); (J.J.M.-M.); (S.T.N.); (D.E.A.-B.)
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - José J. Martínez-Magaña
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (D.L.N.-R.); (J.J.M.-M.); (S.T.N.); (D.E.A.-B.)
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Sheila T. Nagamatsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (D.L.N.-R.); (J.J.M.-M.); (S.T.N.); (D.E.A.-B.)
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Diego E. Andrade-Brito
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (D.L.N.-R.); (J.J.M.-M.); (S.T.N.); (D.E.A.-B.)
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Diego A. Forero
- Health and Sport Sciences Research Group, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Bogotá 110231, Colombia; (D.A.F.); (C.A.O.-C.)
| | - Carlos A. Orozco-Castaño
- Health and Sport Sciences Research Group, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Bogotá 110231, Colombia; (D.A.F.); (C.A.O.-C.)
| | - Janitza L. Montalvo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (D.L.N.-R.); (J.J.M.-M.); (S.T.N.); (D.E.A.-B.)
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(203)-9325711 (ext. 7491)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang X, Rutkovsky AC, Zhou J, Zhong Y, Reese J, Schnell T, Albrecht H, Owens WB, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M. Characterization of Altered Gene Expression and Histone Methylation in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Regulating Inflammation in COVID-19 Patients. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:1968-1977. [PMID: 35379747 PMCID: PMC9012677 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The pandemic of COVID-19 has caused >5 million deaths in the world. One of the leading causes of the severe form of COVID-19 is the production of massive amounts of proinflammatory cytokines. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone/DNA methylation, miRNA, and long noncoding RNA, are known to play important roles in the regulation of inflammation. In this study, we investigated if hospitalized COVID-19 patients exhibit alterations in epigenetic pathways in their PBMCs. We also compared gene expression profiles between healthy controls and COVID-19 patients. Despite individual variations, the expressions of many inflammation-related genes, such as arginase 1 and IL-1 receptor 2, were significantly upregulated in COVID-19 patients. We also found the expressions of coagulation-related genes Von Willebrand factor and protein S were altered in COVID-19 patients. The expression patterns of some genes, such as IL-1 receptor 2, correlated with their histone methylation marks. Pathway analysis indicated that most of those dysregulated genes were in the TGF-β, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-17 pathways. A targeting pathway revealed that the majority of those altered genes were targets of dexamethasone, which is an approved drug for COVID-19 treatment. We also found that the expression of bone marrow kinase on chromosome X, a member of TEC family kinases, was increased in the PBMCs of COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, some inhibitors of TEC family kinases have been used to treat COVID-19. Overall, this study provides important information toward identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for COVID-19 disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Yang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC; and
| | - Alex C Rutkovsky
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC; and
| | - Juhua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC; and
| | - Yin Zhong
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC; and
| | - Julian Reese
- Prisma Health Richland Hospital, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
| | - Timothy Schnell
- Prisma Health Richland Hospital, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
| | - Helmut Albrecht
- Prisma Health Richland Hospital, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
| | - William B Owens
- Prisma Health Richland Hospital, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
| | - Prakash S Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC; and
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC; and
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhou D, Long C, Shao Y, Li F, Sun W, Zheng Z, Wang X, Huang Y, Pan F, Chen G, Guo Y, Huang Y. Integrated Metabolomics and Proteomics Analysis of Urine in a Mouse Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:828382. [PMID: 35360173 PMCID: PMC8963102 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.828382] [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: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious stress disorder that occurs in individuals who have experienced major traumatic events. The underlying pathological mechanisms of PTSD are complex, and the related predisposing factors are still not fully understood. In this study, label-free quantitative proteomics and untargeted metabolomics were used to comprehensively characterize changes in a PTSD mice model. Differential expression analysis showed that 12 metabolites and 27 proteins were significantly differentially expressed between the two groups. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the differentiated proteins were mostly enriched in: small molecule binding, transporter activity, extracellular region, extracellular space, endopeptidase activity, zymogen activation, hydrolase activity, proteolysis, peptidase activity, sodium channel regulator activity. The differentially expressed metabolites were mainly enriched in Pyrimidine metabolism, D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, Arginine biosynthesis, Glutathione metabolism, Arginine, and proline metabolism. These results expand the existing understanding of the molecular basis of the pathogenesis and progression of PTSD, and also suggest a new direction for potential therapeutic targets of PTSD. Therefore, the combination of urine proteomics and metabolomics explores a new approach for the study of the underlying pathological mechanisms of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daxue Zhou
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengyan Long
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Shao
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Li
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zihan Zheng
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wang
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiwei Huang
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Pan
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Cytomics, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Gang Chen,
| | - Yanlei Guo
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing, China
- Yanlei Guo,
| | - Yi Huang
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Yi Huang,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Busbee PB, Bam M, Yang X, Abdulla OA, Zhou J, Ginsberg JPJ, Aiello AE, Uddin M, Nagarkatti M, Nagarkatti PS. Dysregulated TP53 Among PTSD Patients Leads to Downregulation of miRNA let-7a and Promotes an Inflammatory Th17 Phenotype. Front Immunol 2022; 12:815840. [PMID: 35058939 PMCID: PMC8763839 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.815840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder and patients diagnosed with PTSD often express other comorbid health issues, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Our previous reports investigating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PTSD patients showed that these patients exhibit an increased inflammatory T helper (Th) cell phenotype and widespread downregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs), key molecules involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. A combination of analyzing prior datasets on gene and miRNA expression of PBMCs from PTSD and Control samples, as well as experiments using primary PBMCs collected from human PTSD and Controls blood, was used to evaluate TP53 expression, DNA methylation, and miRNA modulation on Th17 development. In the current report, we note several downregulated miRNAs were linked to tumor protein 53 (TP53), also known as p53. Expression data from PBMCs revealed that compared to Controls, PTSD patients exhibited decreased TP53 which correlated with an increased inflammatory Th17 phenotype. Decreased expression of TP53 in the PTSD population was shown to be associated with an increase in DNA methylation in the TP53 promotor region. Lastly, the most significantly downregulated TP53-associated miRNA, let-7a, was shown to negatively regulate Th17 T cells. Let-7a modulation in activated CD4+ T cells was shown to influence Th17 development and function, via alterations in IL-6 and IL-17 production, respectively. Collectively, these studies reveal that PTSD patients could be susceptible to inflammation by epigenetic dysregulation of TP53, which alters the miRNA profile to favor a proinflammatory Th17 phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip B Busbee
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Marpe Bam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Osama A Abdulla
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Juhua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Jay Paul Jack Ginsberg
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.,Departments of Psychophysiology, Clinical Psychology, and Research Office, Saybrook University, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Allison E Aiello
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina (UNC) Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Mcgavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Monica Uddin
- Genomics Program, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Prakash S Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gan C, Jin Z, Hu G, Li Z, Yan M. Integrated Analysis of miRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Therapeutic Drugs. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:2669-2680. [PMID: 35300145 PMCID: PMC8922041 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s334877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a result of trauma exposure and is related to psychological suffering as a long-lasting health issue. Further analysis of the networks and genes involved in PTSD are critical to the molecular mechanisms of PTSD. Methods In this study, we aimed to identify key genes and molecular interaction networks involved in the pathogenesis of PTSD by integrating mRNA and miRNA data. Results By integrating three high-throughput datasets, 5606 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, including five differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and 5525 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs). Nineteen upregulated and 46 downregulated DEmRNAs were identified in both GSE64813 and GSE89866 datasets, while five upregulated DEmiRNAs were found in the GSE87768 dataset. Functional annotations of these DEmRNAs indicated that they were mainly enriched in blood coagulation, cell adhesion, platelet activation, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction. Integrated protein-protein and miRNA-protein interaction networks among the DEGs were established with the help of 65 nodes and 121 interactions. Finally, 286 small molecules were obtained based on the Drug-Gene Interaction database (DGIdb). Three genes, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1), beta-tubulin gene (TUBB1), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), were the most promising targets for PTSD therapy. Additionally, the present study also provided a higher performance diagnostic model for PTSD based on 17 DEmRNAs, which was validated in two independent datasets, GSE109409 and GSE63878. Conclusion Our data provides a new molecular aspect that ECM-receptor interaction and the platelet activation process could be the potential molecular mechanism of PTSD, and the genes involved in this process may be promising therapeutic targets. A higher-performance diagnostic model for PTSD has also been identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunchun Gan
- Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhan Jin
- Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gaobo Hu
- Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheming Li
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
- Zheming Li, College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hanzhou, People’s Republic of China, Email
| | - Minli Yan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Minli Yan, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-571-87077785, Email
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gupta S, Guleria RS, Szabo YZ. MicroRNAs as biomarker and novel therapeutic target for posttraumatic stress disorder in Veterans. Psychiatry Res 2021; 305:114252. [PMID: 34739954 PMCID: PMC8857765 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder for military Veterans, characterized by hyperarousal, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and distress after experiencing traumatic events. Some of the known physiological effects of PTSD include hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis imbalance, a cortical function resulting in neuronal deficit and changes in behavior. Moreover, excessive discharge of inflammatory molecules and a dysregulated immune system are implicated in the pathophysiology of PTSD. Due to complex nature of this disorder, the biological underpinnings of PTSD remain inexplicable. Investigating novel biomarkers to understanding the pathogenesis of PTSD may reflect the underlying molecular network for therapeutic use and treatment. Circulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) and exosomes are evolving biomarkers that have shown a key role in psychiatric and neurological disorders including PTSD. Given the unique nature of combat trauma, as well as evidence that a large portion of Veterans do not benefit from frontline treatments, focus on veterans specifically is warranted. In the present review, we delineate the identification and role of several miRNAs in PTSD among veterans. An association of miRNA with HPA-axis regulation through FKBP5, a key modulator in PTSD is discussed as an emerging molecule in psychiatric diseases. We conclude that miRNAs may be used as circulatory biomarker detection in Veterans with PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudhiranjan Gupta
- VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Biomarkers & Genetics Core, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, 4800 Memorial Drive (151C), Waco, TX, 76711, USA.
| | - Rakeshwar S. Guleria
- VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Biomarkers & Genetics Core, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, 4800 Memorial Drive (151C), Waco, Texas, 76711
| | - Yvette Z. Szabo
- VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Biomarkers & Genetics Core, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, 4800 Memorial Drive (151C), Waco, Texas, 76711
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
The Molecular Biology of Susceptibility to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Highlights of Epigenetics and Epigenomics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910743. [PMID: 34639084 PMCID: PMC8509551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to trauma is one of the most important and prevalent risk factors for mental and physical ill-health. Excessive or prolonged stress exposure increases the risk of a wide variety of mental and physical symptoms. However, people differ strikingly in their susceptibility to develop signs and symptoms of mental illness after traumatic stress. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder affecting approximately 8% of the world’s population during their lifetime, and typically develops after exposure to a traumatic event. Despite that exposure to potentially traumatizing events occurs in a large proportion of the general population, about 80–90% of trauma-exposed individuals do not develop PTSD, suggesting an inter-individual difference in vulnerability to PTSD. While the biological mechanisms underlying this differential susceptibility are unknown, epigenetic changes have been proposed to underlie the relationship between exposure to traumatic stress and the susceptibility to develop PTSD. Epigenetic mechanisms refer to environmentally sensitive modifications to DNA and RNA molecules that regulate gene transcription without altering the genetic sequence itself. In this review, we provide an overview of various molecular biological, biochemical and physiological alterations in PTSD, focusing on changes at the genomic and epigenomic level. Finally, we will discuss how current knowledge may aid us in early detection and improved management of PTSD patients.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lori A, Schultebraucks K, Galatzer-Levy I, Daskalakis NP, Katrinli S, Smith AK, Myers AJ, Richholt R, Huentelman M, Guffanti G, Wuchty S, Gould F, Harvey PD, Nemeroff CB, Jovanovic T, Gerasimov ES, Maples-Keller JL, Stevens JS, Michopoulos V, Rothbaum BO, Wingo AP, Ressler KJ. Transcriptome-wide association study of post-trauma symptom trajectories identified GRIN3B as a potential biomarker for PTSD development. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1811-1820. [PMID: 34188182 PMCID: PMC8357796 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01073-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Biomarkers that predict symptom trajectories after trauma can facilitate early detection or intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may also advance our understanding of its biology. Here, we aimed to identify trajectory-based biomarkers using blood transcriptomes collected in the immediate aftermath of trauma exposure. Participants were recruited from an Emergency Department in the immediate aftermath of trauma exposure and assessed for PTSD symptoms at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Three empirical symptom trajectories (chronic-PTSD, remitting, and resilient) were identified in 377 individuals based on longitudinal symptoms across four data points (1, 3, 6, and 12 months), using latent growth mixture modeling. Blood transcriptomes were examined for association with longitudinal symptom trajectories, followed by expression quantitative trait locus analysis. GRIN3B and AMOTL1 blood mRNA levels were associated with chronic vs. resilient post-trauma symptom trajectories at a transcriptome-wide significant level (N = 153, FDR-corrected p value = 0.0063 and 0.0253, respectively). We identified four genetic variants that regulate mRNA blood expression levels of GRIN3B. Among these, GRIN3B rs10401454 was associated with PTSD in an independent dataset (N = 3521, p = 0.04). Examination of the BrainCloud and GTEx databases revealed that rs10401454 was associated with brain mRNA expression levels of GRIN3B. While further replication and validation studies are needed, our data suggest that GRIN3B, a glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit-3B, may be involved in the manifestation of PTSD. In addition, the blood mRNA level of GRIN3B may be a promising early biomarker for the PTSD manifestation and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Katharina Schultebraucks
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Isaac Galatzer-Levy
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nikolaos P Daskalakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Seyma Katrinli
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amanda J Myers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ryan Richholt
- Neurogenomics Division and Center for Rare Childhood Disorders, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Matthew Huentelman
- Neurogenomics Division and Center for Rare Childhood Disorders, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Guia Guffanti
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Stefan Wuchty
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Institute of Data Science and Computing, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Felicia Gould
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Philip D Harvey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer S Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Barbara O Rothbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aliza P Wingo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Division of Mental Health, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA.
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zuo Y, Wei D, Zhu C, Naveed O, Hong W, Yang X. Unveiling the Pathogenesis of Psychiatric Disorders Using Network Models. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1101. [PMID: 34356117 PMCID: PMC8304351 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are complex brain disorders with a high degree of genetic heterogeneity, affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite advances in psychiatric genetics, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of psychiatric disorders are still largely elusive, which impedes the development of novel rational therapies. There has been accumulating evidence suggesting that the genetics of complex disorders can be viewed through an omnigenic lens, which involves contextualizing genes in highly interconnected networks. Thus, applying network-based multi-omics integration methods could cast new light on the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. In this review, we first provide an overview of the recent advances in psychiatric genetics and highlight gaps in translating molecular associations into mechanistic insights. We then present an overview of network methodologies and review previous applications of network methods in the study of psychiatric disorders. Lastly, we describe the potential of such methodologies within a multi-tissue, multi-omics approach, and summarize the future directions in adopting diverse network approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanning Zuo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (Y.Z.); (D.W.); (W.H.)
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.Z.); (O.N.)
| | - Don Wei
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (Y.Z.); (D.W.); (W.H.)
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carissa Zhu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.Z.); (O.N.)
| | - Ormina Naveed
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.Z.); (O.N.)
| | - Weizhe Hong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (Y.Z.); (D.W.); (W.H.)
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (C.Z.); (O.N.)
- Brain Research Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Katrinli S, Smith AK. Immune system regulation and role of the human leukocyte antigen in posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100366. [PMID: 34355049 PMCID: PMC8322450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that adversely affect mental and physical health. Recent studies have increasingly explored the role of the immune system in risk for PTSD and its related symptoms. Dysregulation of the immune system may lead to central nervous system tissue damage and impair learning and memory processes. Individuals with PTSD often have comorbid inflammatory or auto-immune disorders. Evidence shows associations between PTSD and multiple genes that are involved in immune-related or inflammatory pathways. In this review, we will summarize the evidence of immune dysregulation in PTSD, outlining the contributions of distinct cell types, genes, and biological pathways. We use the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) locus to illustrate the contribution of genetic variation to function in different tissues that contribute to PTSD etiology, severity, and comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyma Katrinli
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chitrala KN, Nagarkatti P, Nagarkatti M. Computational analysis of deleterious single nucleotide polymorphisms in catechol O-Methyltransferase conferring risk to post-traumatic stress disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 138:207-218. [PMID: 33865170 PMCID: PMC8969201 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the prevalent neurological disorder which is drawing increased attention over the past few decades. Major risk factors for PTSD can be categorized into environmental and genetic factors. Among the genetic risk factors, polymorphisms in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is known to be associated with the risk for PTSD. In the present study, we analysed the impact of deleterious single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COMT gene conferring risk to PTSD using computational based approaches followed by molecular dynamic simulations. The data on COMT gene associated with PTSD were collected from several databases including Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) search. Datasets related to SNP were downloaded from the dbSNP database. To study the structural and dynamic effects of COMT wild type and mutant forms, we performed molecular dynamics simulations (MD simulations) at a time scale of 300 ns. Results from screening the SNPs using the computational tools SIFT and Polyphen-2 demonstrated that the SNP rs4680 (V158M) in COMT has a deleterious effect with phenotype in PTSD. Results from the MD simulations showed that there is some major fluctuations in the structural features including root mean square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration (Rg), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) and secondary structural elements including α-helices, sheets and turns between wild-type (WT) and mutant forms of COMT protein. In conclusion, our study provides novel insights into the deleterious effects and impact of V158M mutation on COMT protein structure which plays a key role in PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kumaraswamy Naidu Chitrala
- Dept. of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA; Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
| | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Dept. of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Dept. of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Balakathiresan NS, Bhomia M, Zhai M, Sweeten BLW, Wellman LL, Sanford LD, Knollmann-Ritschel B. MicroRNAs in Basolateral Amygdala Associated with Stress and Fear Memories Regulate Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Rats. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11040489. [PMID: 33921465 PMCID: PMC8069888 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11040489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress-related sleep disturbances are distressing clinical symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder patients. Intensely stressful events and their memories change rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in animal models. REM sleep varies with individual differences of stress resilience or vulnerability. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a primary mediator of the effects of stress and fear memories on sleep. However, the molecular mechanisms in BLA regulating the effects of fear conditioning, shock training (ST) and context re-exposure (CTX) on REM sleep are not well known. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs and posttranscriptional gene regulators of diverse biological processes. The aim of this study is to investigate ST- and CTX-altered miRNAs in the BLA of resilience and vulnerable animals and on REM sleep regulation. MiRNAs expression profiles in BLA were generated following ST and CTX using the Taqman Low Density rodent microRNA array. The altered BLA miRNAs expression and REM sleep reduction observed in ST and CTX vulnerable animals. AntagomiR-221 microinjection into BLA for one of the upregulated miRNAs, miR-221 in BLA, attenuated the REM sleep reduction. This study suggests that miRNAs in the BLA may play a significant role in mediating the effects of stress and fear memories on REM sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nagaraja S. Balakathiresan
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Manish Bhomia
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
| | - Min Zhai
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
| | - Brook L. W. Sweeten
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Laurie L. Wellman
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Larry D. Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA; (B.L.W.S.); (L.L.W.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Barbara Knollmann-Ritschel
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (M.B.); (M.Z.); (B.K.-R.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cotrone TS, Hocog CB, Ramsey JT, Sanchez MA, Sullivan HM, Scrimgeour AG. Phenotypic characterization of frontal cortex microglia in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02011. [PMID: 33434400 PMCID: PMC7994680 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder induced by psychologically traumatic events. Using a rat model, this study aimed to determine whether psychological trauma alters relative expression between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers in microglia. To meet this goal, expression of genes encoding i-NOS, arginase, TNF-α, interleukin-10, CD74, and Mannose Receptor C was analyzed on multiple days following trauma exposure. METHODS Single-prolonged stress (SPS) was used to model PTSD in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty-four rats (12 Controls and 12 SPS-exposed) were sacrificed on Days 1, 3, and 7 post-SPS. Twenty-four (12 Controls and 12 SPS-exposed) additional rats were exposed to classical fear conditioning on Day 7, and fear extinction on Days 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. Freezing behavior was measured to assess fear resolution. Microglial isolates were collected from the frontal cortex, and RNA was extracted. Changes in relative expression of target genes were quantified via RT-PCR. RESULTS SPS rats showed significant decreases in IL-10 and TNF-α expression and increases in the i-NOS:Arginase and TNF-α:IL-10 ratios compared to Controls on Day 1, but not on Day 3 or Day 7 for any of the dependent variables. Day 17 SPS rats showed a significant decrease in IL-10 expression and an increase in the TNF-α:IL-10 ratio, further characterized by a significant inverse relationship between IL-10 expression and fear persistence. CONCLUSION Psychological trauma impacts the immunological phenotype of microglia of the frontal cortex. Consequently, future studies should further evaluate the mechanistic role of microglia in PTSD pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S Cotrone
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Charina B Hocog
- Veterinary Support and Oversight Branch, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Joseph T Ramsey
- Veterinary Support and Oversight Branch, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Marcus A Sanchez
- Veterinary Support and Oversight Branch, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Heather M Sullivan
- Veterinary Support and Oversight Branch, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Angus G Scrimgeour
- Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sragovich S, Gershovits M, Lam JC, Li VO, Gozes I. Putative Blood Somatic Mutations in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Symptomatic Soldiers: High Impact of Cytoskeletal and Inflammatory Proteins. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:1723-1734. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-201158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: We recently discovered autism/intellectual disability somatic mutations in postmortem brains, presenting higher frequency in Alzheimer’s disease subjects, compared with the controls. We further revealed high impact cytoskeletal gene mutations, coupled with potential cytoskeleton-targeted repair mechanisms. Objective: The current study was aimed at further discerning if somatic mutations in brain diseases are presented only in the most affected tissue (the brain), or if blood samples phenocopy the brain, toward potential diagnostics. Methods: Variant calling analyses on an RNA-seq database including peripheral blood samples from 85 soldiers (58 controls and 27 with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD) was performed. Results: High (e.g., protein truncating) as well as moderate impact (e.g., single amino acid change) germline and putative somatic mutations in thousands of genes were found. Further crossing the mutated genes with autism, intellectual disability, cytoskeleton, inflammation, and DNA repair databases, identified the highest number of cytoskeletal-mutated genes (187 high and 442 moderate impact). Most of the mutated genes were shared and only when crossed with the inflammation database, more putative high impact mutated genes specific to the PTSD-symptom cohorts versus the controls (14 versus 13) were revealed, highlighting tumor necrosis factor specifically in the PTSD-symptom cohorts. Conclusion: With microtubules and neuro-immune interactions playing essential roles in brain neuroprotection and Alzheimer-related neurodegeneration, the current mutation discoveries contribute to mechanistic understanding of PTSD and brain protection, as well as provide future diagnostics toward personalized military deployment strategies and drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shlomo Sragovich
- The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Gershovits
- The Nancy & Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jacqueline C.K. Lam
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, The University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Victor O.K. Li
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Illana Gozes
- The Elton Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience and Adams Super Center for Brain Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li S, Liao Y, Dong Y, Li X, Li J, Cheng Y, Cheng J, Yuan Z. Microglial deletion and inhibition alleviate behavior of post-traumatic stress disorder in mice. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:7. [PMID: 33402212 PMCID: PMC7786489 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-02069-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alteration of immune status in the central nervous system (CNS) has been implicated in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the nature of overall changes in brain immunocyte landscape in PTSD condition remains unclear. Methods We constructed a mouse PTSD model by electric foot-shocks followed by contextual reminders and verified the PTSD-related symptoms by behavior test (including contextual freezing test, open-field test, and elevated plus maze test). We examined the immunocyte panorama in the brains of the naïve or PTSD mice by using single-cell mass cytometry. Microglia number and morphological changes in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala were analyzed by histopathological methods. The gene expression changes of those microglia were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Genetic/pharmacological depletion of microglia or minocycline treatment before foot-shocks exposure was performed to study the role of microglia in PTSD development and progress. Results We found microglia are the major brain immune cells that respond to PTSD. The number of microglia and ratio of microglia to immunocytes was significantly increased on the fifth day of foot-shock exposure. Furthermore, morphological analysis and gene expression profiling revealed temporal patterns of microglial activation in the hippocampus of the PTSD brains. Importantly, we found that genetic/pharmacological depletion of microglia or minocycline treatment before foot-shock exposure alleviated PTSD-associated anxiety and contextual fear. Conclusion Our results demonstrated a critical role for microglial activation in PTSD development and a potential therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of PTSD in the form of microglial inhibition. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-020-02069-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuoshuo Li
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, No. 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yajin Liao
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life & Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuan Dong
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoheng Li
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, No. 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jun Li
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life & Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jinbo Cheng
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life & Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Zengqiang Yuan
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, No. 27 Taiping Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100850, China. .,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bam M, Yang X, Busbee BP, Aiello AE, Uddin M, Ginsberg JP, Galea S, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M. Increased H3K4me3 methylation and decreased miR-7113-5p expression lead to enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling in immune cells from PTSD patients leading to inflammatory phenotype. Mol Med 2020; 26:110. [PMID: 33189141 PMCID: PMC7666486 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-020-00238-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder accompanied by chronic peripheral inflammation. What triggers inflammation in PTSD is currently unclear. In the present study, we identified potential defects in signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from individuals with PTSD. METHODS RNAseq (5 samples each for controls and PTSD), ChIPseq (5 samples each) and miRNA array (6 samples each) were used in combination with bioinformatics tools to identify dysregulated genes in PBMCs. Real time qRT-PCR (24 samples each) and in vitro assays were employed to validate our primary findings and hypothesis. RESULTS By RNA-seq analysis of PBMCs, we found that Wnt signaling pathway was upregulated in PTSD when compared to normal controls. Specifically, we found increased expression of WNT10B in the PTSD group when compared to controls. Our findings were confirmed using NCBI's GEO database involving a larger sample size. Additionally, in vitro activation studies revealed that activated but not naïve PBMCs from control individuals expressed more IFNγ in the presence of recombinant WNT10B suggesting that Wnt signaling played a crucial role in exacerbating inflammation. Next, we investigated the mechanism of induction of WNT10B and found that increased expression of WNT10B may result from epigenetic modulation involving downregulation of hsa-miR-7113-5p which targeted WNT10B. Furthermore, we also observed that WNT10B overexpression was linked to higher expression of H3K4me3 histone modification around the promotor of WNT10B. Additionally, knockdown of histone demethylase specific to H3K4me3, using siRNA, led to increased expression of WNT10B providing conclusive evidence that H3K4me3 indeed controlled WNT10B expression. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our data demonstrate for the first time that Wnt signaling pathway is upregulated in PBMCs of PTSD patients resulting from epigenetic changes involving microRNA dysregulation and histone modifications, which in turn may promote the inflammatory phenotype in such cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marpe Bam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
- William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC, 29209-1639, USA
| | - Brandon P Busbee
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Allison E Aiello
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Mcgavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- Genomics Program, University of South Florida College of Public Health, 3720 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jay P Ginsberg
- William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC, 29209-1639, USA
| | - Sandro Galea
- School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany Street-Talbot 301, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Prakash S Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Malgaroli M, Schultebraucks K. Artificial Intelligence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EUROPEAN PSYCHOLOGIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/1016-9040/a000423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disease that can occur after experiencing a traumatic event. Despite recent progress in computational research, it has not yet been possible to identify precise and reliable risk factors that enable predictive models of individual risk for posttraumatic stress after trauma. In this overview, we discuss recent advances in the use of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for risk stratification and targeted treatment allocation in the context of stress pathologies and we critically review the benefits and challenges of emerging approaches. The vast heterogeneity in the manifestation and the etiology of PTSD is discussed as one major reason for the need to deploy ML-based computational models to better account for individual differences between patients. Striving for personalized medicine is one of the most important goals of current clinical research and is of great potential for the field of posttraumatic stress research. The use of ML is a promising and necessary approach for reaching more personalized treatments and to make further progress in the field of precision psychiatry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Malgaroli
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katharina Schultebraucks
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeon, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
What Happened in the Hippocampal Axon in a Rat Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 42:723-737. [PMID: 32930942 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00960-w] [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: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Studies from postmortem and animal models have revealed altered synapse morphology and function in the brain of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And the effects of PTSD on dendrites and spines have been reported, however, the effection on axon include microtubule (MT) and synaptic vesicles of presynaptic elements remains unknown. Hippocampus is involved in abnormal memory in PTSD. In the present study, we used the single prolonged stress (SPS) model to mimic PTSD. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing (GSE153081) were utilized to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hippocampus of control and SPS rats. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to examine change in axon-related proteins. Synaptic function was evaluated by measuring miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). RNA-sequencing analysis revealed 230 significantly DEGs between the control and SPS groups. Gene Ontology analysis revealed upregulation in axonemal assembly, MT formation, or movement, but downregulation in axon initial segment and synaptic vesicles fusion in the hippocampus of SPS rats. Increased expression in tau, β-tubulin MAP1B, KIF9, CCDC40, DNAH12 and decreased expression in p-tau, stathmin suggested SPS induced axon extension. Increased protein expression in VAMP, STX1A, Munc18-1 and decreased expression in synaptotagmin-1 suggested SPS induced more SNARE complex formation but decreased ability in synaptic vesicle fusion to presynaptic active zone membrane in the hippocampus of SPS rats. Further, low mEPSC frequency in SPS rats indicated dysfunction in presynaptic membrane. These results suggest that axon extension and synaptic vesicles fusion abnormality are involved in dysfunction of PTSD.
Collapse
|
25
|
Alkarkoushi RR, Hui Y, Tavakoli AS, Singh U, Nagarkatti P, Nagarkatti M, Chatzistamou I, Bam M, Testerman TL. Immune and microRNA responses to Helicobacter muridarum infection and indole-3-carbinol during colitis. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:4763-4785. [PMID: 32921956 PMCID: PMC7459201 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i32.4763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and other aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists are known to modulate the immune system and ameliorate various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in animal models, including colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are also gaining traction as potential therapeutic agents or diagnostic elements. Enterohepatic Helicobacter (EHH) species are associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease, but little is known about how these species affect the immune system or response to treatment.
AIM To determine whether infection with an EHH species alters the response to I3C and how the immune and miRNA responses of an EHH species compare with responses to DSS and inflammatory bowel disease.
METHODS We infected C57BL/6 mice with Helicobacter muridarum (H. muridarum), with and without DSS and I3C treatment. Pathological responses were evaluated by histological examination, symptom scores, and cytokine responses. MiRNAs analysis was performed on mesenteric lymph nodes to further evaluate the regional immune response.
RESULTS H. muridarum infection alone caused colonic inflammation and upregulated proinflammatory, macrophage-associated cytokines in the colon similar to changes seen in DSS-treated mice. Further upregulation occurred upon treatment with DSS. H. muridarum infection caused broad changes in mesenteric lymph node miRNA expression, but colitis-associated miRNAs were regulated similarly in H. muridarum-infected and uninfected, DSS-treated mice. In spite of causing colitis exacerbation, H. muridarum infection did not prevent disease amelioration by I3C. I3C normalized both macrophage- and T cell-associated cytokines.
CONCLUSION Thus, I3C may be useful for inflammatory bowel disease patients regardless of EHH infection. The miRNA changes associated with I3C treatment are likely the result of, rather than the cause of immune response changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Raheem Alkarkoushi
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Yvonne Hui
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Abbas S Tavakoli
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Udai Singh
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States
| | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Ioulia Chatzistamou
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Marpe Bam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| | - Traci L Testerman
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Twin Research in the Post-Genomic Era: Dissecting the Pathophysiological Effects of Adversity and the Social Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093142. [PMID: 32365612 PMCID: PMC7247668 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of twins in research is evolving as we move further into the post-genomic era. With the re-definition of what a gene is, it is becoming clear that biological family members who share a specific genetic variant may well not have a similar risk for future disease. This has somewhat invalidated the prior rationale for twin studies. Case co-twin study designs, however, are slowly emerging as the ideal tool to identify both environmentally induced epigenetic marks and epigenetic disease-associated processes. Here, we propose that twin lives are not as identical as commonly assumed and that the case co-twin study design can be used to investigate the effects of the adult social environment. We present the elements in the (social) environment that are likely to affect the epigenome and measures in which twins may diverge. Using data from the German TwinLife registry, we confirm divergence in both the events that occur and the salience for the individual start as early as age 11. Case co-twin studies allow for the exploitation of these divergences, permitting the investigation of the role of not only the adult social environment, but also the salience of an event or environment for the individual, in determining lifelong health trajectories. In cases like social adversity where it is clearly not possible to perform a randomised-controlled trial, we propose that the case co-twin study design is the most rigorous manner with which to investigate epigenetic mechanisms encoding environmental exposure. The role of the case co-twin design will continue to evolve, as we argue that it will permit causal inference from observational data.
Collapse
|
27
|
Logue MW, Miller MW, Wolf EJ, Huber BR, Morrison FG, Zhou Z, Zheng Y, Smith AK, Daskalakis NP, Ratanatharathorn A, Uddin M, Nievergelt CM, Ashley-Koch AE, Baker DG, Beckham JC, Garrett ME, Boks MP, Geuze E, Grant GA, Hauser MA, Kessler RC, Kimbrel NA, Maihofer AX, Marx CE, Qin XJ, Risbrough VB, Rutten BPF, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Vermetten E, Vinkers CH, Ware EB, Stone A, Schichman SA, McGlinchey RE, Milberg WP, Hayes JP, Verfaellie M. An epigenome-wide association study of posttraumatic stress disorder in US veterans implicates several new DNA methylation loci. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:46. [PMID: 32171335 PMCID: PMC7071645 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-0820-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies using candidate gene and genome-wide approaches have identified epigenetic changes in DNA methylation (DNAm) associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS In this study, we performed an EWAS of PTSD in a cohort of Veterans (n = 378 lifetime PTSD cases and 135 controls) from the Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) cohort assessed using the Illumina EPIC Methylation BeadChip which assesses DNAm at more than 850,000 sites throughout the genome. Our model included covariates for ancestry, cell heterogeneity, sex, age, and a smoking score based on DNAm at 39 smoking-associated CpGs. We also examined in EPIC-based DNAm data generated from pre-frontal cortex (PFC) tissue from the National PTSD Brain Bank (n = 72). RESULTS The analysis of blood samples yielded one genome-wide significant association with PTSD at cg19534438 in the gene G0S2 (p = 1.19 × 10-7, padj = 0.048). This association was replicated in an independent PGC-PTSD-EWAS consortium meta-analysis of military cohorts (p = 0.0024). We also observed association with the smoking-related locus cg05575921 in AHRR despite inclusion of a methylation-based smoking score covariate (p = 9.16 × 10-6), which replicates a previously observed PGC-PTSD-EWAS association (Smith et al. 2019), and yields evidence consistent with a smoking-independent effect. The top 100 EWAS loci were then examined in the PFC data. One of the blood-based PTSD loci, cg04130728 in CHST11, which was in the top 10 loci in blood, but which was not genome-wide significant, was significantly associated with PTSD in brain tissue (in blood p = 1.19 × 10-5, padj = 0.60, in brain, p = 0.00032 with the same direction of effect). Gene set enrichment analysis of the top 500 EWAS loci yielded several significant overlapping GO terms involved in pathogen response, including "Response to lipopolysaccharide" (p = 6.97 × 10-6, padj = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS The cross replication observed in independent cohorts is evidence that DNA methylation in peripheral tissue can yield consistent and replicable PTSD associations, and our results also suggest that that some PTSD associations observed in peripheral tissue may mirror associations in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark W. Logue
- grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222,Biomedical Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA ,grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Mark W. Miller
- grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Erika J. Wolf
- grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Bertrand Russ Huber
- grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Filomene G. Morrison
- grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Zhenwei Zhou
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Yuanchao Zheng
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Nikolaos P. Daskalakis
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.240206.20000 0000 8795 072XMcLean Hospital, Belmont, MA USA ,Cohen Veterans Bioscience, Cambridge, MA USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Andrew Ratanatharathorn
- grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- grid.170693.a0000 0001 2353 285XGenomics Program, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL USA ,grid.170693.a0000 0001 2353 285X,Global Health and Infectious Disease Research Program, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Caroline M. Nievergelt
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Allison E. Ashley-Koch
- grid.189509.c0000000100241216Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
| | - Dewleen G. Baker
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Psychiatry Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Jean C. Beckham
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC USA ,grid.410332.70000 0004 0419 9846Research, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC USA ,grid.281208.10000 0004 0419 3073Genetics Research Laboratory, VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC USA
| | - Melanie E. Garrett
- grid.189509.c0000000100241216Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
| | - Marco P. Boks
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, Utrecht Netherlands
| | - Elbert Geuze
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, Utrecht Netherlands ,Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Netherlands Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, Utrecht Netherlands
| | - Gerald A. Grant
- grid.240952.80000000087342732Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Michael A. Hauser
- grid.189509.c0000000100241216Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
| | - Ronald C. Kessler
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Nathan A. Kimbrel
- grid.410332.70000 0004 0419 9846Research, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC USA ,grid.281208.10000 0004 0419 3073Genetics Research Laboratory, VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Adam X. Maihofer
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Christine E. Marx
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Department of Critical Care Medicine, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA ,grid.189509.c0000000100241216Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
| | - Xue-Jun Qin
- grid.189509.c0000000100241216Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
| | - Victoria B. Risbrough
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Bart P. F. Rutten
- grid.412966.e0000 0004 0480 1382School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum, Maastricht, Limburg Netherlands
| | - Murray B. Stein
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Psychiatry Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA ,grid.410371.00000 0004 0419 2708Million Veteran Program, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Robert J. Ursano
- grid.265436.00000 0001 0421 5525Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Arq, Psychotrauma Reseach Expert Group, Diemen, NH Netherlands ,grid.10419.3d0000000089452978Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, ZH Netherlands ,Netherlands Defense Department, Research Center, Utrecht, UT Netherlands ,grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Christiaan H. Vinkers
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Holland Netherlands ,Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Holland Netherlands
| | - Erin B. Ware
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Michigan, MI USA
| | - Annjanette Stone
- grid.413916.80000 0004 0419 1545Pharmacogenomics Analysis Laboratory, Research Service, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR USA
| | - Steven A. Schichman
- grid.413916.80000 0004 0419 1545Pharmacogenomics Analysis Laboratory, Research Service, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR USA
| | - Regina E. McGlinchey
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992Geriatric Research Educational and Clinical Center and Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA USA
| | - William P. Milberg
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992Geriatric Research Educational and Clinical Center and Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA USA
| | - Jasmeet P. Hayes
- grid.410370.10000 0004 4657 1992National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Psychology and Chronic Brain Injury Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Mieke Verfaellie
- grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA ,grid.475010.70000 0004 0367 5222Memory Disorders Research Center, VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kang HJ, Yoon S, Lee S, Choi K, Seol S, Park S, Namgung E, Kim TD, Chung YA, Kim J, Han JS, Lyoo IK. FKBP5-associated miRNA signature as a putative biomarker for PTSD in recently traumatized individuals. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3353. [PMID: 32098997 PMCID: PMC7042218 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60334-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic regulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression related to the FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5) gene may contribute to the risk of stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we identified candidate miRNAs derived from FKBP5 knockout mice as a potential diagnostic biomarker of PTSD. Using a translational approach, candidate miRNAs found to alter in expression within the medial prefrontal cortex of FKBP5 knockout mice were selected. Each candidate miRNA was examined in the serum of 48 recently traumatized individuals with PTSD and 47 healthy individuals. Multimodal imaging was also conducted to identify the neural correlates for the expression of candidate exosomal miRNAs in response to trauma exposure. Differential miRNA expression was found according to PTSD diagnosis in two composite marker groups. The differential miRNA expression between the composite marker groups contributed to PTSD symptom severity, which may be explained by differential recruitment of prefrontolimbic activity in brain imaging. The present study reveals that a set of circulating exosomal miRNAs showing altered expression in FKBP5 knockout mice play a potential role as epigenetic markers of PTSD. The corroborative evidence from multiple levels including molecular, brain, and behavioral indicates that these epigenetic biomarkers may serve as complementary measures for the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of PTSD in recently traumatized individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jung Kang
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sujung Yoon
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suji Lee
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Koeul Choi
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sihwan Seol
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Shinwon Park
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Namgung
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tammy D Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-An Chung
- Department of Radiology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungyoon Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung-Soo Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In Kyoon Lyoo
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea. .,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea. .,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea. .,The Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
MicroRNAs as critical regulators of gene expression important for functions including neuronal development, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity have been linked with the regulation of neurobiological systems that underlie anxiety processing in the brain. In this chapter, we give an update on associative evidence linking regulation of microRNAs with anxiety- and trauma-related disorders. Moving beyond correlative research, functional studies have emerged recently that explore causal relationships between microRNA expression and anxiety-like behavior. It has been demonstrated that experimental up- or downregulation of the candidate microRNAs in important nodes of the anxiety neurocircuitry can indeed modulate anxiety-related behavior in animal models. Improved methodologies for assessing microRNA-mediated modulation have aided such functional studies, revealing a number of anxiety-regulating microRNAs including miR-15a, miR-17-92, miR-34, miR-101, miR-124, miR-135, and miR-155. Important functional target genes of these identified microRNAs are associated with specific neurotransmitter/neuromodulator signaling, neurotrophin (e.g., BDNF) expression and other aspects of synaptic plasticity, as well as with stress-regulatory/hypothalamic-pituitary-axis function. Furthermore, microRNAs have been revealed that are regulated in distinct brain regions following various anxiety-attenuating strategies. These include pharmacological treatments such as antidepressants and other drugs, as well as non-pharmacological interventions such as fear extinction/exposure therapy or positive stimuli such as exposure to environmental enrichment. These are first indications for a role for microRNAs in the mechanism of action of anxiolytic treatments. As research continues, there is much hope that a deeper understanding of the microRNA-mediated mechanisms underlying anxiety-related disorders could open up possibilities for future novel biomarker and treatment strategies.
Collapse
|
30
|
Kwon J, Kim YJ, Choi K, Seol S, Kang HJ. Identification of stress resilience module by weighted gene co-expression network analysis in Fkbp5-deficient mice. Mol Brain 2019; 12:99. [PMID: 31775900 PMCID: PMC6882145 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0521-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
FKBP5 encodes the FK506 binding protein 5, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding protein known to play an important role in the physiological stress response. However, results from previous studies examining the association between common variants of FKBP5 and stress have been inconsistent. To investigate whether the loss of FKBP5 affects the stress response, we examined the behavior of mice following the induction of chronic restraint stress between homozygous wild-type and Fkbp5 knock-out mice. After 21 days of exposure to restraint stress, WT mice showed anhedonia, a core symptom of depression, which could be measured by a sucrose preference test. However, Fkbp5-deficient mice did not exhibit significant depressive-like behavior compared to the WT after exposure to chronic restraint stress. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying stress resilience, we performed RNA sequencing analysis. The differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis showed that chronic stress induced changes in various biological processes involved in cell-cell adhesion and inflammatory response. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 60 characteristic modules that correlated with stress or the FKBP5 genotype. Among them, M55 showed a gene expression pattern consistent with behavioral changes after stress exposure, and the gene ontology analysis revealed that this was involved in nervous system development, gland morphogenesis, and inflammatory response. These results suggest that FKBP5 may be a crucial factor for the stress response, and that transcriptomic data can provide insight into stress-related pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joonhong Kwon
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Yeong Jae Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Koeul Choi
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Sihwan Seol
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Hyo Jung Kang
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Snijders C, Krauskopf J, Pishva E, Eijssen L, Machiels B, Kleinjans J, Kenis G, van den Hove D, Kim MO, Boks MPM, Vinkers CH, Vermetten E, Geuze E, Rutten BPF, de Nijs L. Circulating Serum MicroRNAs as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study. Front Genet 2019; 10:1042. [PMID: 31824554 PMCID: PMC6883918 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can develop upon exposure to a traumatic event. While most people are able to recover promptly, others are at increased risk of developing PTSD. However, the exact underlying biological mechanisms of differential susceptibility are unknown. Identifying biomarkers of PTSD could assist in its diagnosis and facilitate treatment planning. Here, we identified serum microRNAs (miRNAs) of subjects that underwent a traumatic event and aimed to assess their potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers of PTSD. Next-generation sequencing was performed to examine circulating miRNA profiles of 24 members belonging to the Dutch military cohort Prospective Research in Stress-Related Military Operations (PRISMO). Three groups were selected: "susceptible" subjects who developed PTSD after combat exposure, "resilient" subjects without PTSD, and nonexposed control subjects (N = 8 per group). Differential expression analysis revealed 22 differentially expressed miRNAs in PTSD subjects compared to controls and 1 in PTSD subjects compared to resilient individuals (after multiple testing correction and a log2 fold-change cutoff of ≥|1|). Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified a module of coexpressed miRNAs which could distinguish between the three groups. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analyses suggest that the miRNAs with the highest module memberships could have a strong diagnostic accuracy as reflected by high areas under the curves. Overall, the results of our pilot study suggest that serum miRNAs could potentially serve as diagnostic biomarkers of PTSD, both individually or grouped within a cluster of coexpressed miRNAs. Larger studies are now needed to validate and build upon these preliminary findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Julian Krauskopf
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ehsan Pishva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Eijssen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Bioinformatics (BiGCaT), NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Barbie Machiels
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jos Kleinjans
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Myeong Ok Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK 21), College of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Marco P. M. Boks
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Psychiatry, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H. Vinkers
- Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Arq, Psychotrauma Research Expert Group, Diemen, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Military Mental Healthcare, Netherlands Ministry of Defense, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Elbert Geuze
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Psychiatry, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Military Mental Healthcare, Netherlands Ministry of Defense, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bart P. F. Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Eltermaa M, Jakobson M, Utt M, Kõks S, Mägi R, Starkopf J. Genetic variants in humanin nuclear isoform gene regions show no association with coronary artery disease. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:759. [PMID: 31753007 PMCID: PMC6873426 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4807-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Coronary artery disease contributes to noncommunicable disease deaths worldwide. In order to make preventive methods more accurate, we need to know more about the development and progress of this pathology, including the genetic aspects. Humanin is a small peptide known for its cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic properties. Our study looked for genomic associations between humanin-like nuclear isoform genes and coronary artery disease using CARDIoGRAMplusC4D Consortium data. Results Lookup from meta-analysis datasets gave single nucleotide polymorphisms in all 13 humanin-like nuclear isoform genes with the lowest P value for rs6151662 from the MTRNR2L2 gene including the 50 kb flanking region in both directions (P-value = 0.0037). Within the gene region alone the top variant was rs78083998 from the MTRNR2L13 region (meta-analysis P-value = 0.042). None of the found associations were statistically significant after correction for multiple testing. Lookup for expression trait loci in these gene regions gave no statistically significant variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mall Eltermaa
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Maili Jakobson
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Meeme Utt
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sulev Kõks
- Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Reedik Mägi
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Joel Starkopf
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhang QH, Hao JW, Li GL, Ji XJ, Zhou M, Yao YM. Long-lasting neurobehavioral alterations in burn-injured mice resembling post-traumatic stress disorder in humans. Exp Neurol 2019; 323:113084. [PMID: 31697945 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish an animal model for posttraumatic stress disorder in burn-injured patients. METHODS Thermal-injured mice with 15% total body surface area were subjected to a series of neurobehavioral tests at 1 and 3 months postburn. Brains were collected for analysis of key molecules expression, spleens for T cell function analysis, and blood for biochemistry and hormones detection. RESULTS Comparison with sham mice, burn mice showed extremely high locomotion in homecage, open field, and forced swimming tests, indicating a hyper-arousal state. Burn mice exhibited improved spatial memory in Morris Water Maze test and heightened context fear memory in context fear conditioning, suggesting re-experiencing behavior. Although burn mice showed pronounced passive avoidance in the step-through test, their active avoidance capability in response to the conditional stimulus in the shuttle box test was relatively deteriorated. Likewise, the retention of cue-feared memory was impaired in fear conditioning test. The above negative alterations in mood were recapitulated in open-field test, in which the burn mice displayed an anxiety-like behavior with less time spent in the center. However, no sign of depression was found in the forced swimming and sucrose preference tests. The negative mood of burn mice was reinforced by a deficit in sociality and preference for social novelty in social interaction test. These neurobehavioral alterations were associated with an increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor along with a remarkable microgliosis and a moderate astrocytosis in the brain of burn vs. sham mice. Moreover, a prominent Th2 switch and consequent increased nuclear NF-κB translocation were seen in the splenic T cells from burn relative to sham mice. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that even mild burn injury could lead to long-lasting cognitive and effective alterations in mice. These findings shed light on the interactions among neuropsychology, neurobiology, and immunology throughout the recovery period of burn injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hong Zhang
- Trauma Research Center, Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, PR China.
| | - Ji-Wei Hao
- Trauma Research Center, Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, PR China
| | - Guang-Lei Li
- Trauma Research Center, Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jing Ji
- Trauma Research Center, Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, PR China; Department of Emergency, First Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, PR China
| | - Min Zhou
- Neurocritical Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, PR China
| | - Yong-Ming Yao
- Trauma Research Center, Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Kim GS, Smith AK, Xue F, Michopoulos V, Lori A, Armstrong DL, Aiello AE, Koenen KC, Galea S, Wildman DE, Uddin M. Methylomic profiles reveal sex-specific differences in leukocyte composition associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 81:280-291. [PMID: 31228611 PMCID: PMC6754791 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disorder precipitated by trauma exposure. However, only some persons exposed to trauma develop PTSD. There are sex differences in risk; twice as many women as men develop a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD. Methylomic profiles derived from peripheral blood are well-suited for investigating PTSD because DNA methylation (DNAm) encodes individual response to trauma and may play a key role in the immune dysregulation characteristic of PTSD pathophysiology. In the current study, we leveraged recent methodological advances to investigate sex-specific differences in DNAm-based leukocyte composition that are associated with lifetime PTSD. We estimated leukocyte composition on a combined methylation array dataset (483 participants, ∼450 k CpG sites) consisting of two civilian cohorts, the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study and Grady Trauma Project. Sex-stratified Mann-Whitney U test and two-way ANCOVA revealed that lifetime PTSD was associated with significantly higher monocyte proportions in males, but not in females (Holm-adjusted p-val < 0.05). No difference in monocyte proportions was observed between current and remitted PTSD cases in males, suggesting that this sex-specific difference may reflect a long-standing trait of lifetime history of PTSD, rather than current state of PTSD. Associations with lifetime PTSD or PTSD status were not observed in any other leukocyte subtype and our finding in monocytes was confirmed using cell estimates based on a different deconvolution algorithm, suggesting that our sex-specific findings are robust across cell estimation approaches. Overall, our main finding of elevated monocyte proportions in males, but not in females with lifetime history of PTSD provides evidence for a sex-specific difference in peripheral blood leukocyte composition that is detectable in methylomic profiles and that may reflect long-standing changes associated with PTSD diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace S Kim
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Medical Scholars Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Fei Xue
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adriana Lori
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Don L Armstrong
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Allison E Aiello
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sandro Galea
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derek E Wildman
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Differential transcriptional response following glucocorticoid activation in cultured blood immune cells: a novel approach to PTSD biomarker development. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:201. [PMID: 31434874 PMCID: PMC6704073 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0539-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition of stress reactivity, whose clinical manifestations are evident when patients are triggered following exposure to a traumatic event. While baseline differences in gene expression of glucocorticoid signaling and inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been associated with PTSD, these alterations do not fully recapitulate the molecular response to physiological triggers, such as stress hormones. Therefore, it is critical to develop new techniques that will capture the dynamic transcriptional response associated with stress-activated conditions relative to baseline conditions. To achieve this goal, cultured PBMCs from combat-exposed veterans with PTSD(+) (n = 10) and without PTSD(-) (n = 10) were incubated with increasing concentrations (vehicle, 2.5 nM, 5 nM, 50 nM) of dexamethasone (DEX). Across diagnosis and dosage, several genes and gene networks were reliable markers of glucocorticoid stimulation (FDR < 5%), including enhanced expression of FKPB5, VIPR1, NR1I3, and apoptosis-related pathways, and reduced expression of NR3C1, STAT1, IRF1, and related inflammatory and cellular stress-responsive pathways. Dose-dependent differential transcriptional changes in several genes were also identified between PTSD+ and PTSD-. Robust changes in expression were observed at 2.5 nM DEX in PTSD- but not PTSD+ participants; whereas, with increasing concentrations (5 nM and 50 nM), several genes were identified to be uniquely up-regulated in PTSD+ but not PTSD- participants. Collectively, these preliminary findings suggest that genome-wide gene expression profiling of DEX-stimulated PBMCs is a promising method for the exploration of the dynamic differential molecular responses to stress hormones in PTSD, and may identify novel markers of altered glucocorticoid signaling and responsivity in PTSD.
Collapse
|
36
|
Schmidt U, Vermetten E. Integrating NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) into PTSD Research. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 38:69-91. [PMID: 28341942 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Three and a half decades of research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has produced substantial knowledge on the pathobiology of this frequent and debilitating disease. However, despite all research efforts, so far no drug that has specifically targeted PTSD core symptoms progressed to clinical use. Instead, although not overly efficient, serotonin re-uptake inhibitors continue to be considered the gold standard of PTSD pharmacotherapy. The psychotherapeutic treatment and symptom-oriented drug therapy options available for PTSD treatment today show some efficacy, although not in all PTSD patients, in particular not in a substantial percent of those suffering from the detrimental sequelae of repeated childhood trauma or in veterans with combat related PTSD. PTSD has this in common with other psychiatric disorders - in particular effective treatment for incapacitating conditions such as resistant major depression, chronic schizophrenia, and frequently relapsing obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as dementia has not yet been developed through modern neuropsychiatric research.In response to this conundrum, the National Institute of Mental Health launched the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework which aims to leave diagnosis-oriented psychiatric research behind and to move on to the use of research domains overarching the traditional diagnosis systems. To the best of our knowledge, the paper at hand is the first that has systematically assessed the utility of the RDoC system for PTSD research. Here, we review core findings in neurobiological PTSD research and match them to the RDoC research domains and units of analysis. Our synthesis reveals that several core findings in PTSD such as amygdala overactivity have been linked to all RDoC domains without further specification of their distinct role in the pathophysiological pathways associated with these domains. This circumstance indicates that the elucidation of the cellular and molecular processes ultimately decisive for regulation of psychic processes and for the expression of psychopathological symptoms is still grossly incomplete. All in all, we find the RDoC research domains to be useful but not sufficient for PTSD research. Hence, we suggest adding two novel domains, namely stress and emotional regulation and maintenance of consciousness. As both of these domains play a role in various if not in all psychiatric diseases, we judge them to be useful not only for PTSD research but also for psychiatric research in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Schmidt
- Trauma Outpatient Unit and RG Molecular Psychotraumatology, Clinical Department, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Department Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center Utrecht, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
- Arq Psychotruama Research Group, Diemen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Snijders C, de Nijs L, Baker DG, Hauger RL, van den Hove D, Kenis G, Nievergelt CM, Boks MP, Vermetten E, Gage FH, Rutten BPF. MicroRNAs in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 38:23-46. [PMID: 29063484 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can develop following exposure to or witnessing of a (potentially) threatening event. A critical issue is to pinpoint the (neuro)biological mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to stress-related disorder such as PTSD, which develops in the minority of ~15% of individuals exposed to trauma. Over the last few years, a first wave of epigenetic studies has been performed in an attempt to identify the molecular underpinnings of the long-lasting behavioral and mental effects of trauma exposure. The potential roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in moderating or mediating the impact of severe stress and trauma are increasingly gaining attention. To date, most studies focusing on the roles of miRNAs in PTSD have, however, been completed in animals, using cross-sectional study designs and focusing almost exclusively on subjects with susceptible phenotypes. Therefore, there is a strong need for new research comprising translational and cross-species approaches that use longitudinal designs for studying trajectories of change contrasting susceptible and resilient subjects. The present review offers a comprehensive overview of available studies of miRNAs in PTSD and discusses the current challenges, pitfalls, and future perspectives of this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Dewleen G Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Richard L Hauger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marco P Boks
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Military Mental Health Research Center, Ministry of Defense, P.O. Box 90000, Utrecht, 3509 AA, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
- Arq Psychotrauma Research Group, Diemen, 1112 XE, The Netherlands
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Schultebraucks K, Galatzer-Levy IR. Machine Learning for Prediction of Posttraumatic Stress and Resilience Following Trauma: An Overview of Basic Concepts and Recent Advances. J Trauma Stress 2019; 32:215-225. [PMID: 30892723 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress responses are characterized by a heterogeneity in clinical appearance and etiology. This heterogeneity impacts the field's ability to characterize, predict, and remediate maladaptive responses to trauma. Machine learning (ML) approaches are increasingly utilized to overcome this foundational problem in characterization, prediction, and treatment selection across branches of medicine that have struggled with similar clinical realities of heterogeneity in etiology and outcome, such as oncology. In this article, we review and evaluate ML approaches and applications utilized in the areas of posttraumatic stress, stress pathology, and resilience research, and present didactic information and examples to aid researchers interested in the relevance of ML to their own research. The examined studies exemplify the high potential of ML approaches to build accurate predictive and diagnostic models of posttraumatic stress and stress pathology risk based on diverse sources of available information. The use of ML approaches to integrate high-dimensional data demonstrates substantial gains in risk prediction even when the sources of data are the same as those used in traditional predictive models. This area of research will greatly benefit from collaboration and data sharing among researchers of posttraumatic stress disorder, stress pathology, and resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Isaac R Galatzer-Levy
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,AiCure, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Cell type-specific gene expression patterns associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in World Trade Center responders. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:1. [PMID: 30664621 PMCID: PMC6341096 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0355-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a chronic disorder resulting from severe trauma, has been linked to immunologic dysregulation. Gene expression profiling has emerged as a promising tool for understanding the pathophysiology of PTSD. However, to date, all but one gene expression study was based on whole blood or unsorted peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), a complex tissue consisting of several populations of cells. The objective of this study was to utilize RNA sequencing to simultaneously profile the gene expression of four immune cell subpopulations (CD4T, CD8T, B cells, and monocytes) in 39 World Trade Center responders (20 with and 19 without PTSD) to determine which immune subsets play a role in the transcriptomic changes found in whole blood. Transcriptome-wide analyses identified cell-specific and shared differentially expressed genes across the four cell types. FKBP5 and PI4KAP1 genes were consistently upregulated across all cell types. Notably, REST and SEPT4, genes linked to neurodegeneration, were among the top differentially expressed genes in monocytes. Pathway analyses identified differentially expressed gene sets involved in mast cell activation and regulation in CD4T, interferon-beta production in CD8T, and neutrophil-related gene sets in monocytes. These findings suggest that gene expression indicative of immune dysregulation is common across several immune cell populations in PTSD. Furthermore, given notable differences between cell subpopulations in gene expression associated with PTSD, the results also indicate that it may be valuable to analyze different cell populations separately. Monocytes may constitute a key cell type to target in research on gene expression profile of PTSD.
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two complex and debilitating psychiatric disorders that result in poor life and destructive behaviors against self and others. Currently, diagnosis is based on subjective rather than objective determinations leading to misdiagnose and ineffective treatments. Advances in novel neurobiological methods have allowed assessment of promising biomarkers to diagnose depression and PTSD, which offers a new means of appropriately treating patients. Areas covered: Biomarkers discovery in blood represents a fundamental tool to predict, diagnose, and monitor treatment efficacy in depression and PTSD. The potential role of altered HPA axis, epigenetics, NPY, BDNF, neurosteroid biosynthesis, the endocannabinoid system, and their function as biomarkers for mood disorders is discussed. Insofar, we propose the identification of a biomarker axis to univocally identify and discriminate disorders with large comorbidity and symptoms overlap, so as to provide a base of support for development of targeted treatments. We also weigh in on the feasibility of a future blood test for early diagnosis. Expert commentary: Potential biomarkers have already been assessed in patients' blood and need to be further validated through multisite large clinical trial stratification. Another challenge is to assess the relation among several interdependent biomarkers to form an axis that identifies a specific disorder and secures the best-individualized treatment. The future of blood-based tests for PTSD and depression is not only on the horizon but, possibly, already around the corner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Aspesi
- a The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Graziano Pinna
- a The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhu M, Xu Y, Wang H, Shen Z, Xie Z, Chen F, Gao Y, Chen X, Zhang Y, Wu Q, Li X, Yu J, Luo H, Wang K. Heroin Abuse Results in Shifted RNA Expression to Neurodegenerative Diseases and Attenuation of TNFα Signaling Pathway. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9231. [PMID: 29915338 PMCID: PMC6006288 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27419-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated administration of heroin results in the induction of physical dependence, which is characterized as a behavioral state of compulsive drug seeking and a high rate of relapse even after periods of abstinence. However, few studies have been dedicated to characterization of the long-term alterations in heroin-dependent patients (HDPs). Herein, we examined the peripheral blood from 810 HDPs versus 500 healthy controls (HCs) according to the inclusion criteria. Compared with the control group, significant decreases of albumin, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were identified in HDPs (P < 0.001) versus HCs coupled with an insignificant decrease in BMI. Meanwhile, RNA-sequencing analyses were performed on blood of 16 long-term HDPs and 25 HCs. The results showed that the TNFα signaling pathway and hematopoiesis related genes were inhibited in HDPs. We further compared the transcriptome data to those of SCA2 and posttraumatic stress disorder patients, identified neurodegenerative diseases related genes were commonly up-regulated in coupled with biological processes "vesicle transport", "mitochondria" and "splicing". Genes in the categories of "protein ubiquitination" were down-regulated indicating potential biochemical alterations shared by all three comparative to their controls. In summary, this is a leading study performing a series of through investigations and using delicate approaches. Results from this study would benefit the study of drug addiction overall and link long-term heroin abuse to neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhu
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu Xu
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Huawei Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Zongwen Shen
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Kunming Engineering Technology Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive Diseases, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhenrong Xie
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Department of reproduction and genetics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Fengrong Chen
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Department of reproduction and genetics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Yunhong Gao
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Commission Office, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Administration, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Commission Office, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Administration, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Commission Office, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Administration, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Commission Office, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Administration, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Xuejun Li
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Commission Office, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Drug Enforcement Administration, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Juehua Yu
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Huayou Luo
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
| | - Kunhua Wang
- Yunnan Institute of Digestive Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Miranda K, Yang X, Bam M, Murphy EA, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M. MicroRNA-30 modulates metabolic inflammation by regulating Notch signaling in adipose tissue macrophages. Int J Obes (Lond) 2018; 42:1140-1150. [PMID: 29899524 PMCID: PMC6195825 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-018-0114-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background/Objectives Obesity is a pandemic disorder that is characterized by accumulation of adipose tissue and chronic-low grade inflammation that is driven primarily by adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs). While ATM polarization from pro-(M1)to anti-(M2) inflammatory phenotype influences insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure, the mechanisms of such a switch are unclear. In the current study we identified epigenetic pathways including microRNAs (miR) in ATMs that regulate obesity-induced inflammation. Subjects/Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were fed normal chow diet (NCD) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks to develop lean and diet-induced obese mice respectively. Transcriptome microarrays, microRNA microarrays, and meDIP-Seq were performed on ATMs isolated from visceral fat. Pathway analysis and bone marrow derived macrophage (BMDM) transfections further allowed computational and functional analysis of miRNA-mediated ATM polarization. Results ATMs from HFD-fed mice were skewed towards M1 inflammatory phenotype. Concurrently, the expression of miRs 30a-5p, 30c-5p, and 30e-5p was downregulated in ATMs from HFD mice when compared to mice fed NCD. The miR-30 family was shown to target Delta-like-4, a Notch1 ligand, whose expression was increased in HFD ATMs. Inhibition of miR-30 in conditioned BMDM triggered Notch1 signaling, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and M1 macrophage polarization. In addition, DNA hypermethylation was observed in mir30-associated CpG islands suggesting HFD downregulates miR-30 through epigenetic modifications. Conclusions HFD-induced obesity downregulates miR-30 by DNA methylation thereby inducing Notch1 signaling in ATMs and their polarization to M1 macrophages. These findings identify miR-30 as a regulator of pro-inflammatory ATM polarization and suggest miR-30 manipulation could be a therapeutic target for obesity-induced inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Miranda
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Marpe Bam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - E Angela Murphy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Prakash S Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kim GS, Smith AK, Nievergelt CM, Uddin M. Neuroepigenetics of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 158:227-253. [PMID: 30072055 PMCID: PMC6474244 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
While diagnosis of PTSD is based on behavioral symptom clusters that are most directly associated with brain function, epigenetic studies of PTSD in humans to date have been limited to peripheral tissues. Animal models of PTSD have been key for understanding the epigenetic alterations in the brain most directly relevant to endophenotypes of PTSD, in particular those pertaining to fear memory and stress response. This chapter provides an overview of neuroepigenetic studies based on animal models of PTSD, with an emphasis on the effect of stress on fear memory. Where relevant, we also describe human-based studies with relevance to neuroepigenetic insights gleaned from animal work and suggest promising directions for future studies of PTSD neuroepigenetics in living humans that combine peripheral epigenetic measures with measures of central nervous system activity, structure and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace S Kim
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States; Medical Scholars Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Monica Uddin
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Noncoding RNAs: Stress, Glucocorticoids, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:849-865. [PMID: 29559087 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a pathologic response to trauma that impacts ∼8% of the population and is highly comorbid with other disorders, such as traumatic brain injury. PTSD affects multiple biological systems throughout the body, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, cortical function, and the immune system, and while the study of the biological underpinnings of PTSD and related disorders are numerous, the roles of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are just emerging. Moreover, deep sequencing has revealed that ncRNAs represent most of the transcribed mammalian genome. Here, we present developing evidence that ncRNAs are involved in critical aspects of PTSD pathophysiology. In that regard, we summarize the roles of three classes of ncRNAs in PTSD and related disorders: microRNAs, long-noncoding RNAs, and retrotransposons. This review evaluates findings from both animal and human studies with a special focus on the role of ncRNAs in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities and glucocorticoid dysfunction in PTSD and traumatic brain injury. We conclude that ncRNAs may prove to be useful biomarkers to facilitate personalized medicines for trauma-related brain disorders.
Collapse
|
45
|
Nievergelt CM, Ashley-Koch AE, Dalvie S, Hauser MA, Morey RA, Smith AK, Uddin M. Genomic Approaches to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Psychiatric Genomic Consortium Initiative. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:831-839. [PMID: 29555185 PMCID: PMC5915904 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a traumatic event is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder. Heritability estimates from twin studies as well as from recent molecular data (single nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability) indicate moderate to high heritability, yet robust genetic variants for PTSD have not yet been identified and the genetic architecture of this polygenic disorder remains largely unknown. To date, fewer than 10 large-scale genome-wide association studies of PTSD have been published, with findings that highlight the unique challenges for PTSD genomics, including a complex diagnostic entity with contingency of PTSD diagnosis on trauma exposure and the large genetic diversity of the study populations. The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium PTSD group has brought together more than 200 scientists with the goal to increase sample size for genome-wide association studies and other genomic analyses to sufficient numbers where robust discoveries of molecular signatures can be achieved. The sample currently includes more than 32,000 PTSD cases and 100,000 trauma-exposed control subjects, and collection is ongoing. The first results found a significant shared genetic risk of PTSD with other psychiatric disorders and sex-biased heritability estimates with higher heritability in female individuals compared with male individuals. This review describes the scope and current focus of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium PTSD group and its expansion from the initial genome-wide association study group to nine working groups, including epigenetics, gene expression, imaging, and integrative systems biology. We further briefly outline recent findings and future directions of "omics"-based studies of PTSD, with the ultimate goal of elucidating the molecular architecture of this complex disorder to improve prevention and intervention strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Nievergelt
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Family Medicine and Public Health,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health
| | | | - Shareefa Dalvie
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, 7925
| | - Michael A. Hauser
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Rajendra A. Morey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC 27710, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Alicia K. Smith
- Emory University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics,Emory University, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
| | - Monica Uddin
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology,University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Psychology
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Purpose of Review Traumatic stress has profound impacts on many domains of life, yet the mechanisms that confer risk for or resilience to the development of traumatic stress-related psychopathologies are still very much under investigation. The current review highlights recent developments in the field of traumatic stress epigenetics in humans. Recent Findings Recent results reveal traumatic stress-related epigenetic dysregulation in neural, endocrine, and immune system genes and associated networks. Emerging work combining imaging with epigenetic measures holds promise for addressing the correspondence between peripheral and central effects of traumatic stress. A growing literature is also documenting the transgenerational effects of prenatal stress exposures in humans. Summary Moving forward, increasing focus on epigenetic marks of traumatic stress in CNS tissue will create a clearer picture of the relevance of peripheral measures; PTSD brain banks will help in this regard. Similarly, leveraging multigenerational birth cohort data will do much to clarify the extent of transgenerational epigenetic effects of traumatic stress. Greater efforts should be made towards developing prospective studies with longitudinal design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John R Pfeiffer
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Leon Mutesa
- Center for Human Genetics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Monica Uddin
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, IL, USA.,Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kuan PF, Waszczuk MA, Kotov R, Clouston S, Yang X, Singh PK, Glenn ST, Cortes Gomez E, Wang J, Bromet E, Luft BJ. Gene expression associated with PTSD in World Trade Center responders: An RNA sequencing study. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:1297. [PMID: 29249826 PMCID: PMC5802695 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-017-0050-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene expression approach has provided promising insights into the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies used hypothesis-free transcriptome-wide approach to comprehensively understand gene expression underpinning PTSD. A transcriptome-wide expression study using RNA sequencing of whole blood was conducted in 324 World Trade Center responders (201 with never, 81 current, 42 past PTSD). Samples from current and never PTSD reponders were randomly split to form discovery (N = 195) and replication (N = 87) cohorts. Differentially expressed genes were used in pathway analysis and to create a polygenic expression score. There were 448 differentially expressed genes in the discovery cohort, of which 99 remained significant in the replication cohort, including FKBP5, which was found to be up-regulated in current PTSD regardless of the genotypes. Several enriched biological pathways were found, including glucocorticoid receptor signaling and immunity-related pathways, but these pathways did not survive FDR correction. The polygenic expression score computed by aggregating 30 differentially expressed genes using the elastic net algorithm achieved sensitivity/specificity of 0.917/0.508, respectively for identifying current PTSD in the replication cohort. Polygenic scores were similar in current and past PTSD, with both groups scoring higher than trauma-exposed controls without any history of PTSD. Together with the pathway analysis results, these findings point to HPA-axis and immune dysregulation as key biological processes underpinning PTSD. A novel polygenic expression aggregate that differentiates PTSD patients from trauma-exposed controls might be a useful screening tool for research and clinical practice, if replicated in other populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Fen Kuan
- 0000 0001 2216 9681grid.36425.36Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Roman Kotov
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Book University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Sean Clouston
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Stony Book University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Xiaohua Yang
- 0000 0001 2181 8635grid.240614.5Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Prashant K. Singh
- 0000 0001 2181 8635grid.240614.5Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Sean T. Glenn
- 0000 0001 2181 8635grid.240614.5Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Eduardo Cortes Gomez
- 0000 0001 2181 8635grid.240614.5Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Jianmin Wang
- 0000 0001 2181 8635grid.240614.5Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Evelyn Bromet
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Book University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Luft
- 0000 0001 2216 9681grid.36425.36Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Deconvolution of Transcriptional Networks in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Uncovers Master Regulators Driving Innate Immune System Function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14486. [PMID: 29101382 PMCID: PMC5670244 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that develops in individuals experiencing a shocking incident, but the underlying disease susceptibility gene networks remain poorly understood. Breen et al. conducted a Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis on PTSD, and identified a dysregulated innate immune module associated with PTSD development. To further identify the Master Regulators (MRs) driving the network function, here we deconvoluted the transcriptional networks on the same datasets using ARACNe (Algorithm for Reconstruction of Accurate Cellular Networks) followed by protein activity analysis. We successfully identified several MRs including SOX3, TNFAIP3, TRAFD1, POU3F3, STAT2, and PML that govern the expression of a large collection of genes. Transcription factor binding site enrichment analysis verified the binding of these MRs to their predicted targets. Notably, the sub-networks regulated by TNFAIP3, TRAFD1 and PML are involved in innate immune response, suggesting that these MRs may correlate with the innate immune module identified by Breen et al. These findings were replicated in an independent dataset generated on expression microarrays. In conclusion, our analysis corroborated previous findings that innate immunity may be involved in the progression of PTSD, yet also identified candidate MRs driving the disease progression in the innate immunity pathways.
Collapse
|
49
|
Decreased AGO2 and DCR1 in PBMCs from War Veterans with PTSD leads to diminished miRNA resulting in elevated inflammation. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1222. [PMID: 28850112 PMCID: PMC5611749 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The initiation of inflammation and molecules involved are not yet clearly understood. Here, we provide compelling evidence that the inflammation seen in PTSD may result from the dysregulated miRNA processing pathway. Using microarray analysis with a discovery group of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from War Veterans with PTSD, we found 183 significantly downregulated miRNAs, several of which target numerous genes categorized to be pro-inflammatory in nature. This observation was further confirmed in a replicate group by including more samples. Furthermore, employing RNA-sequencing, quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) and in vitro experiments, we found that Argonaute 2 (AGO2) and Dicer1 (DCR1) were downregulated in PTSD and provided convincing evidence that their downregulation affects mature miRNA generation. In addition, we noted that STAT3 transcript was reduced in PTSD and this was possibly responsible for reduced AGO2 and DCR1, which in turn affected miRNA synthesis. Furthermore, we observed that activation of CD4+ T cells or monocytes led to reduced mature miRNA availability. Finally, the inflammation seen in PTSD was associated with downregulated miRNA profile. Altogether, the current study demonstrates that the chronic inflammation seen in PTSD may be a result of dysregulated miRNA biogenesis pathway due to diminished expression of the key molecules like AGO2, DCR1 and STAT3.
Collapse
|
50
|
|