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Li P, Liu L, Liu S, Lu Z, Halushka PV, Sidles SJ, LaRue AC, Wang Z, Fan H. FLI1 in PBMCs contributes to elevated inflammation in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1436690. [PMID: 39140108 PMCID: PMC11320135 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1436690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition with significant public health implications that arise following exposure to traumatic events. Recent studies highlight the involvement of immune dysregulation in PTSD, characterized by elevated inflammatory markers. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this immune imbalance remain unclear. Previous research has implicated friend leukemia virus integration 1 (FLI1), an erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor, in inflammatory responses in sepsis and Alzheimer's disease. Elevated FLI1 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been linked to lupus severity. Yet, FLI1's role in PTSD-related inflammation remains unexplored. In our study, PBMCs were collected from Veterans with and without PTSD. We found significantly increased FLI1 expression in PBMCs from PTSD-afflicted Veterans, particularly in CD4+ T cells, with no notable changes in CD8+ T cells. Stimulation with LPS led to heightened FLI1 expression and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFNγ in PTSD PBMCs compared to controls. Knockdown of FLI1 using Gapmers in PTSD PBMCs resulted in a marked reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels, restoring them to control group levels. Additionally, co-culturing PBMCs from both control and PTSD Veterans with the human brain microglia cell line HMC3 revealed increased inflammatory mediator levels in HMC3. Remarkably, HMC3 cells co-cultured with PTSD PBMCs treated with FLI1 Gapmers exhibited significantly lower inflammatory mediator levels compared to control Gapmer-treated PTSD PBMCs. These findings suggest that suppressing FLI1 may rebalance immune activity in PBMCs and mitigate microglial activation in the brain. Such insights could provide novel therapeutic strategies for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Liu Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Shufeng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Zhongyang Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Perry V. Halushka
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sara J. Sidles
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Amanda C. LaRue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Zhewu Wang
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Patas K, Baker DG, Chrousos GP, Agorastos A. Inflammation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Dysregulation or Recalibration? Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:524-542. [PMID: 37550908 PMCID: PMC10845099 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230807152051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite ample experimental data indicating a role of inflammatory mediators in the behavioral and neurobiological manifestations elicited by exposure to physical and psychologic stressors, causative associations between systemic low-grade inflammation and central nervous system inflammatory processes in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients remain largely conceptual. As in other stress-related disorders, pro-inflammatory activity may play an equivocal role in PTSD pathophysiology, one that renders indiscriminate employment of anti-inflammatory agents of questionable relevance. In fact, as several pieces of preclinical and clinical research convergingly suggest, timely and targeted potentiation rather than inhibition of inflammatory responses may actually be beneficial in patients who are characterized by suppressed microglia function in the face of systemic low-grade inflammation. The deleterious impact of chronic stress-associated inflammation on the systemic level may, thus, need to be held in context with the - often not readily apparent - adaptive payoffs of low-grade inflammation at the tissue level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Patas
- Department of Biopathology and Laboratory Medicine, Eginition University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dewleen G. Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Agorastos Agorastos
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
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Çabukusta Acar A, Yoldaş ŞB, Gencer ES, Aycan İÖ, Sanlı SH. The relationship between prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury and microRNA biogenesis proteins. ULUS TRAVMA ACIL CER 2023; 29:1228-1236. [PMID: 37889026 PMCID: PMC10771237 DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.54859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to investigate whether the expression levels of proteins involved in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis vary in early- and late-stage traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and to evaluate its effect on prognosis. METHODS Dicer, Drosha, DiGeorge Syndrome Critical Region eight (DGCR8), Exportin5 (XPO5), and Argonaute2 (AGO2) levels were measured in the blood samples of severe TBI patients collected 4-6 h and 72 h after the trauma and compared with the control group. Prognostic follow-up of the patients was performed using the Glasgow Coma Scale score. RESULTS There were no statistically significant changes in the expression of the miRNA biogenesis proteins Dicer, Drosha, DGCR8, XPO5, and AGO2 in patients with severe TBI. However, the expression of Dicer increased in the patients who improved from the severe TBI grade to the mild TBI grade, and the expression of AGO2 decreased in most of these patients. The Dicer expression profile was found to increase in patients discharged from the intensive care unit in a short time. CONCLUSION MicroRNAs and their biogenesis proteins may guide prognostic and therapeutic decisions for patients with TBI in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Şükran Burçak Yoldaş
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya-Türkiye
| | | | - İlker Öngüç Aycan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya-Türkiye
| | - Suat Hayri Sanlı
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya-Türkiye
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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.
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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.
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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
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Machado-Pereira M, Saraiva C, Bernardino L, Cristóvão AC, Ferreira R. Argonaute-2 protects the neurovascular unit from damage caused by systemic inflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:11. [PMID: 34991639 PMCID: PMC8740421 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain vasculature plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory process by modulating the interaction between blood cells and the neurovascular unit. Argonaute-2 (Ago2) has been suggested as essential for endothelial survival but its role in the brain vasculature or in the endothelial-glial crosstalk has not been addressed. Thus, our aim was to clarify the significance of Ago2 in the inflammatory responses elicited by these cell types. METHODS Mouse primary cultures of brain endothelial cells, astrocytes and microglia were used to evaluate cellular responses to the modulation of Ago2. Exposure of microglia to endothelial cell-conditioned media was used to assess the potential for in vivo studies. Adult mice were injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (2 mg/kg) followed by three daily intraperitoneal injections of Ago2 (0.4 nM) to assess markers of endothelial disruption, glial reactivity and neuronal function. RESULTS Herein, we demonstrated that LPS activation disturbed the integrity of adherens junctions and downregulated Ago2 in primary brain endothelial cells. Exogenous treatment recovered intracellular Ago2 above control levels and recuperated vascular endothelial-cadherin expression, while downregulating LPS-induced nitric oxide release. Primary astrocytes did not show a significant change in Ago2 levels or response to the modulation of the Ago2 system, although endogenous Ago2 was shown to be critical in the maintenance of tumor necrosis factor-α basal levels. LPS-activated primary microglia overexpressed Ago2, and Ago2 silencing contained the inflammatory response to some extent, preventing interleukin-6 and nitric oxide release. Moreover, the secretome of Ago2-modulated brain endothelial cells had a protective effect over microglia. The intraperitoneal injection of LPS impaired blood-brain barrier and neuronal function, while triggering inflammation, and the subsequent systemic administration of Ago2 reduced or normalized endothelial, glial and neuronal markers of LPS damage. This outcome likely resulted from the direct action of Ago2 over the brain endothelium, which reestablished glial and neuronal function. CONCLUSIONS Ago2 could be regarded as a putative therapeutic agent, or target, in the recuperation of the neurovascular unit in inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Machado-Pereira
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Saraiva
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
- Present Address: Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 7 Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, 4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Liliana Bernardino
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana C. Cristóvão
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
- NeuroSoV, UBImedical, EM506, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Raquel Ferreira
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
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7
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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.
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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
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Corticosterone dynamically regulates retrotransposable element expression in the rat hippocampus and C6 cells. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100397. [PMID: 34584909 PMCID: PMC8455483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100397] [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: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is a highly plastic brain region sensitive to environmental stress. It shows dynamic changes in epigenetic marks associated with stress related learning. Previous work has shown that acute stress induces substantial transient changes in histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3). Moreover, increased H3K9me3 is enriched in hippocampal gene deserts accumulating within endogenous retroviruses and transposable elements. We have found that in response to acute glucocorticoid treatment, a similar change in global H3K9me3 is observed. However, when localized we found that H3K9me3 is markedly decreased at B2 short interspersed nuclear elements but not within intracisternal-A particle endogenous retroviruses. Further, decreased H3K9me3 valence within B2 elements was associated with increased transcript abundance. These data demonstrate the capacity for acute glucocorticoids to mobilize transposable elements via epigenetic unmasking. Reconciled with previous findings following acute stress, this suggests the capacity for mobile elements to potentially function as novel regulators given their dynamic regulation by stress and glucocorticoids.
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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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [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.
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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
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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.
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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.)
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11
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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.
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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.
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Widespread transcriptional disruption of the microRNA biogenesis machinery in brain and peripheral tissues of individuals with schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:376. [PMID: 33149139 PMCID: PMC7642431 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01052-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In schizophrenia, altered transcription in brain and peripheral tissues may be due to altered expression of the microRNA biogenesis machinery genes. In this study, we explore the expression of these genes both at the cerebral and peripheral levels. We used shinyGEO application to analyze gene expression from ten Gene Expression Omnibus datasets, in order to perform differential expression analyses for eight genes encoding the microRNA biogenesis machinery. First, we compared expression of the candidate genes between control subjects and individuals with schizophrenia in postmortem cerebral samples from seven different brain regions. Then, we compared the expression of the candidate genes between control subjects and individuals with schizophrenia in three peripheral tissues. In brain and peripheral tissues of individuals with schizophrenia, we report distinct altered expression patterns of the microRNA biogenesis machinery genes. In the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, associative striatum and cerebellum of individuals with schizophrenia, we observed an overexpression pattern of some candidate genes suggesting a heightened miRNA production in these brain regions. Additionally, mixed transcriptional abnormalities were identified in the hippocampus. Moreover, in the blood and olfactory epithelium of individuals with schizophrenia, we observed distinct aberrant transcription patterns of the candidate genes. Remarkably, in individuals with schizophrenia, we report DICER1 overexpression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum as well as a congruent DICER1 upregulation in the blood compartment suggesting that it may represent a peripheral marker. Transcriptional disruption of the miRNA biogenesis machinery may contribute to schizophrenia pathogenesis both in brain and peripheral tissues.
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13
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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.
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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
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From the Argonauts Mythological Sailors to the Argonautes RNA-Silencing Navigators: Their Emerging Roles in Human-Cell Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114007. [PMID: 32503341 PMCID: PMC7312461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression has emerged as a fundamental element of transcript homeostasis. Key effectors in this process are the Argonautes (AGOs), highly specialized RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that form complexes, such as the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC). AGOs dictate post-transcriptional gene-silencing by directly loading small RNAs and repressing their mRNA targets through small RNA-sequence complementarity. The four human highly-conserved family-members (AGO1, AGO2, AGO3, and AGO4) demonstrate multi-faceted and versatile roles in transcriptome’s stability, plasticity, and functionality. The post-translational modifications of AGOs in critical amino acid residues, the nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations, and the deregulation of expression and interactions are tightly associated with aberrant activities, which are observed in a wide spectrum of pathologies. Through constantly accumulating information, the AGOs’ fundamental engagement in multiple human diseases has recently emerged. The present review examines new insights into AGO-driven pathology and AGO-deregulation patterns in a variety of diseases such as in viral infections and propagations, autoimmune diseases, cancers, metabolic deficiencies, neuronal disorders, and human infertility. Altogether, AGO seems to be a crucial contributor to pathogenesis and its targeting may serve as a novel and powerful therapeutic tool for the successful management of diverse human diseases in the clinic.
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Zammatteo N, Botman M. Le psychotraumatisme s’inscrit dans l’ADN et peut se transmettre sur plusieurs générations. Apports de la méditation de pleine conscience dans les troubles de l’anxiété et l’état de stress post-traumatique. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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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: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [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.
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