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Müller S, Moser D, Frach L, Wimberger P, Nitzsche K, Li SC, Kirschbaum C, Alexander N. No long-term effects of antenatal synthetic glucocorticoid exposure on epigenetic regulation of stress-related genes. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:62. [PMID: 35173143 PMCID: PMC8850596 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01828-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Antenatal synthetic glucocorticoid (sGC) treatment is a potent modifier of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In this context, epigenetic modifications are discussed as potential regulators explaining how prenatal exposure to GCs might translate into persistent changes of HPA axis "functioning". The purpose of this study was to investigate whether DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of stress-associated genes (NR3C1; FKBP5; SLC6A4) may mediate the persistent effects of sGC on cortisol stress reactivity that have been previously observed. In addition, hair cortisol concentrations (hairC) were investigated as a valid biomarker of long-term HPA axis activity. This cross-sectional study comprised 108 term-born children and adolescents, including individuals with antenatal GC treatment and controls. From whole blood, DNA methylation was analyzed by targeted deep bisulfite sequencing. Relative mRNA expression was determined by RT-qPCR experiments and qBase analysis. Acute stress reactivity was assessed by the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) measuring salivary cortisol by ELISA and hairC concentrations were determined from hair samples by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. First, no differences in DNA methylation and mRNA expression levels of the stress-associated genes between individuals treated with antenatal sGC compared to controls were found. Second, DNA methylation and mRNA expression levels were neither associated with cortisol stress reactivity nor with hairC. These findings do not corroborate the belief that DNA methylation and mRNA expression profiles of stress-associated genes (NR3C1; FKBP5; SLC6A4) play a key mediating role of the persistent effects of sGC on HPA axis functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Müller
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Dirk Moser
- grid.5570.70000 0004 0490 981XDepartment of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Leonard Frach
- grid.5570.70000 0004 0490 981XDepartment of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany ,grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP UK
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Nitzsche
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Shu-Chen Li
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01602 Dresden, Germany ,grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257CeTI – Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop, Technische Universität Dresden, Georg-Schumann-Str. 9, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 17, 01602 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nina Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35039, Marburg, Germany. .,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
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2
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Cordner ZA, Marshall-Thomas I, Boersma GJ, Lee RS, Potash JB, Tamashiro KL. Fluoxetine and environmental enrichment similarly reverse chronic social stress-related depression- and anxiety-like behavior, but have differential effects on amygdala gene expression. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100392. [PMID: 34568521 PMCID: PMC8449130 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The adverse effects of stress on brain and behavior have long been known and well-studied, with abundant evidence linking stress to, among other things, mood and anxiety disorders. Likewise, many have investigated potential treatments for stress-related mood and anxiety phenotypes and demonstrated good response to standard antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as well as environmental manipulations like exercise or enrichment. However, the extent to which stress and various treatments act on overlapping pathways in the brain is less well understood. Here, we used a widely studied social defeat stress paradigm to induce a robust depression- and anxiety-like phenotype and chronic corticosterone elevation that persisted for at least 4 weeks in wild type male mice. When mice were treated with either the SSRI fluoxetine or an enriched environment, both led to similar behavioral recovery from social defeat. We then focused on the amygdala and assessed the effects of social defeat, fluoxetine, and enrichment on 168 genes broadly related to synaptic plasticity or oxidative stress. We found 24 differentially expressed genes in response to social defeat stress. Interestingly, fluoxetine led to broad normalization of the stress-induced expression pattern while enrichment led to expression changes in a separate set of genes. Together, this study provides additional insight into the chronic effects of social defeat stress on behavior and gene expression in the amygdala. The findings also suggest that, for a subset of genes assessed, fluoxetine and environmental enrichment have strikingly divergent effects on expression in the amygdala, despite leading to similar behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Cordner
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Isaiah Marshall-Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gretha J. Boersma
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Richard S. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - James B. Potash
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kellie L.K. Tamashiro
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cellular & Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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3
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Gatta E, Grayson DR, Auta J, Saudagar V, Dong E, Chen Y, Krishnan HR, Drnevich J, Pandey SC, Guidotti A. Genome-wide methylation in alcohol use disorder subjects: implications for an epigenetic regulation of the cortico-limbic glucocorticoid receptors (NR3C1). Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1029-1041. [PMID: 31239533 PMCID: PMC6930366 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0449-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors, including substance abuse and stress, cause long-lasting changes in the regulation of gene expression in the brain via epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation. We examined genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in the prefrontal cortex (PFC, BA10) of 25 pairs of control and individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), using the Infinium® MethylationEPIC BeadChip. We identified 5254 differentially methylated CpGs (pnominal < 0.005). Bioinformatic analyses highlighted biological processes containing genes related to stress adaptation, including the glucocorticoid receptor (encoded by NR3C1). Considering that alcohol is a stressor, we focused our attention on differentially methylated regions of the NR3C1 gene and validated the differential methylation of several genes in the NR3C1 network. Chronic alcohol drinking results in a significant increased methylation of the NR3C1 exon variant 1H, with a particular increase in the levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine over 5-methylcytosine. These changes in DNA methylation were associated with reduced NR3C1 mRNA and protein expression levels in PFC, as well as other cortico-limbic regions of AUD subjects when compared with controls. Furthermore, we show that the expression of several stress-responsive genes (e.g., CRF, POMC, and FKBP5) is altered in the PFC of AUD subjects. These stress-response genes were also changed in the hippocampus, a region that is highly susceptible to stress. These data suggest that alcohol-dependent aberrant DNA methylation of NR3C1 and consequent changes in other stress-related genes might be fundamental in the pathophysiology of AUD and lay the groundwork for treatments targeting the epigenetic mechanisms regulating NR3C1 in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Gatta
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Dennis R. Grayson
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - James Auta
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Vikram Saudagar
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Erbo Dong
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Ying Chen
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Harish R. Krishnan
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Jenny Drnevich
- grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991High-Performance Biological Computing, Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL USA
| | - Subhash C. Pandey
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.280892.9Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Alessandro Guidotti
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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4
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Moser DA, Müller S, Hummel EM, Limberg AS, Dieckmann L, Frach L, Pakusch J, Flasbeck V, Brüne M, Beygo J, Klein-Hitpass L, Kumsta R. Targeted bisulfite sequencing: A novel tool for the assessment of DNA methylation with high sensitivity and increased coverage. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 120:104784. [PMID: 32673938 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation analysis is increasingly used in stress research. Available methods are expensive, laborious and often limited by either the analysis of short CpG stretches or low assay sensitivity. Here, we present a cost-efficient next generation sequencing-based strategy for the simultaneous investigation of multiple candidate genes in large cohorts. To illustrate the method, we present analysis of four candidate genes commonly assessed in psychoneuroendocrine research: Glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), Serotonin transporter (SLC6A4), FKBP Prolyl isomerase 5 (FKBP5), and the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR). DNA methylation standards (100 %; 75 %; 50 %; 25 % and 0 %) and DNA of a female and male donor were bisulfite treated in three independent trials and were used to generate sequencing libraries for 42 CpGs from the NR3C1 1 F promoter region, 84 CpGs of the SLC6A4 5' regulatory region, 5 CpGs located in FKBP5 intron 7, and additional 12 CpGs located in a potential enhancer element in intron 3 of the OXTR. In addition, DNA of 45 patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 45 healthy controls was assayed. Multiplex libraries of all samples were sequenced on a MiSeq system and analyzed for mean methylation values of all CpG sites using amplikyzer2 software. Results indicated excellent accuracy of the assays when investigating replicates generated from the same bisulfite converted DNA, and very high linearity (R2 > 0.9) of the assays shown by the analysis of differentially methylated DNA standards. Comparing DNA methylation between BPD and healthy controls revealed no biologically relevant differences. The technical approach as described here facilitates targeted DNA methylation analysis and represents a highly sensitive, cost-efficient and high throughput tool to close the gap between coverage and precision in epigenetic research of stress-associated phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Moser
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - S Müller
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - E M Hummel
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - A S Limberg
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - L Dieckmann
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - L Frach
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - J Pakusch
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - V Flasbeck
- LWL University Hospital Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - M Brüne
- LWL University Hospital Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - J Beygo
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - L Klein-Hitpass
- Institute of Cell Biology (Tumor Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - R Kumsta
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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5
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Vukojevic V, Mastrandreas P, Arnold A, Peter F, Kolassa IT, Wilker S, Elbert T, de Quervain DJF, Papassotiropoulos A, Stetak A. Evolutionary conserved role of neural cell adhesion molecule-1 in memory. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:217. [PMID: 32632143 PMCID: PMC7338365 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00899-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM-1) has been implicated in several brain-related biological processes, including neuronal migration, axonal branching, fasciculation, and synaptogenesis, with a pivotal role in synaptic plasticity. Here, we investigated the evolutionary conserved role of NCAM-1 in learning and memory. First, we investigated sustained changes in ncam-1 expression following aversive olfactory conditioning in C. elegans using molecular genetic methods. Furthermore, we examined the link between epigenetic signatures of the NCAM1 gene and memory in two human samples of healthy individuals (N = 568 and N = 319) and in two samples of traumatized individuals (N = 350 and N = 463). We found that olfactory conditioning in C. elegans induced ncam-1 expression and that loss of ncam-1 function selectively impaired associative long-term memory, without causing acquisition, sensory, or short-term memory deficits. Reintroduction of the C. elegans or human NCAM1 fully rescued memory impairment, suggesting a conserved role of NCAM1 for memory. In parallel, DNA methylation of the NCAM1 promoter in two independent healthy Swiss cohorts was associated with memory performance. In two independent Sub-Saharan populations of conflict zone survivors who had faced severe trauma, DNA methylation at an alternative promoter of the NCAM1 gene was associated with traumatic memories. Our results support a role of NCAM1 in associative memory in nematodes and humans, and might, ultimately, be helpful in elucidating diagnostic markers or suggest novel therapy targets for memory-related disorders, like PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanja Vukojevic
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, Klingelbergstrasse 50-70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Psychiatric University Clinics, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, CH-4012, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Pavlina Mastrandreas
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, Klingelbergstrasse 50-70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Andreas Arnold
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, Klingelbergstrasse 50-70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Peter
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, Klingelbergstrasse 50-70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iris-T Kolassa
- Ulm University, Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute for Psychology & Education, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, D-89069, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sarah Wilker
- Ulm University, Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute for Psychology & Education, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, D-89069, Ulm, Germany
- University Bielefeld, Department for Psychology and Sports Science, P.O. Box 100131, D-33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Elbert
- University of Konstanz, Clinical Psychology & Behavioural Neuroscience, D-78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Dominique J-F de Quervain
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, Klingelbergstrasse 50-70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Psychiatric University Clinics, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, CH-4012, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Attila Stetak
- University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, Klingelbergstrasse 50-70, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Psychiatric University Clinics, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, CH-4012, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
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Nagy C, Vaillancourt K, Turecki G. A role for activity-dependent epigenetics in the development and treatment of major depressive disorder. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12446. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Nagy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry; McGill University; Montreal Canada
| | - K. Vaillancourt
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry; McGill University; Montreal Canada
| | - G. Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Department of Psychiatry; McGill University; Montreal Canada
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7
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Argentieri MA, Nagarajan S, Seddighzadeh B, Baccarelli AA, Shields AE. Epigenetic Pathways in Human Disease: The Impact of DNA Methylation on Stress-Related Pathogenesis and Current Challenges in Biomarker Development. EBioMedicine 2017; 18:327-350. [PMID: 28434943 PMCID: PMC5405197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
HPA axis genes implicated in glucocorticoid regulation play an important role in regulating the physiological impact of social and environmental stress, and have become a focal point for investigating the role of glucocorticoid regulation in the etiology of disease. We conducted a systematic review to critically assess the full range of clinical associations that have been reported in relation to DNA methylation of CRH, CRH-R1/2, CRH-BP, AVP, POMC, ACTH, ACTH-R, NR3C1, FKBP5, and HSD11β1/2 genes in adults. A total of 32 studies were identified. There is prospective evidence for an association between HSD11β2 methylation and hypertension, and functional evidence of an association between NR3C1 methylation and both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and breast cancer. Strong associations have been reported between FKBP5 and NR3C1 methylation and PTSD, and biologically-plausible associations have been reported between FKBP5 methylation and Alzheimer's Disease. Mixed associations between NR3C1 methylation and mental health outcomes have been reported according to different social and environmental exposures, and according to varying gene regions investigated. We conclude by highlighting key challenges and future research directions that will need to be addressed in order to develop both clinically meaningful prognostic biomarkers and an evidence base that can inform public policy practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Austin Argentieri
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St., Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Sairaman Nagarajan
- Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218, USA
| | - Bobak Seddighzadeh
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St., Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St., Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W. 168th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alexandra E Shields
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St., Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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8
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Shields AE, Wise LA, Ruiz-Narvaez EA, Seddighzadeh B, Byun HM, Cozier YC, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, Baccarelli AA. Childhood abuse, promoter methylation of leukocyte NR3C1 and the potential modifying effect of emotional support. Epigenomics 2016; 8:1507-1517. [PMID: 27620456 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate childhood abuse victimization in relation to adult DNA methylation levels in a novel region of NR3C1, with emotional support as a possible modifier. MATERIALS & METHODS 295 participants from the Black Women's Health Study. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compute differences in mean percent methylation levels. RESULTS Women reporting childhood abuse victimization exhibited higher mean NR3C1 methylation levels than nonabused women, with a clear dose-response relationship. Childhood emotional support appeared to attenuate associations only among women with the highest levels of physical and sexual abuse. CONCLUSION NR3C1 mean methylation was higher among women who reported childhood abuse. Further research is warranted to clarify whether or the extent to which childhood emotional support buffers the association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Shields
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lauren A Wise
- Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Edward A Ruiz-Narvaez
- Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Bobak Seddighzadeh
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hyang-Min Byun
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Yvette C Cozier
- Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lynn Rosenberg
- Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Julie R Palmer
- Boston University School of Public Health, Talbot Building, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, 1010 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA
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9
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DNA methylation: conducting the orchestra from exposure to phenotype? Clin Epigenetics 2016; 8:92. [PMID: 27602172 PMCID: PMC5012062 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0256-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, through 5-methyl- and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5mC and 5hmC), is considered to be one of the principal interfaces between the genome and our environment, and it helps explain phenotypic variations in human populations. Initial reports of large differences in methylation level in genomic regulatory regions, coupled with clear gene expression data in both imprinted genes and malignant diseases, provided easily dissected molecular mechanisms for switching genes on or off. However, a more subtle process is becoming evident, where small (<10 %) changes to intermediate methylation levels are associated with complex disease phenotypes. This has resulted in two clear methylation paradigms. The latter “subtle change” paradigm is rapidly becoming the epigenetic hallmark of complex disease phenotypes, although we are currently hampered by a lack of data addressing the true biological significance and meaning of these small differences. Our initial expectation of rapidly identifying mechanisms linking environmental exposure to a disease phenotype led to numerous observational/association studies being performed. Although this expectation remains unmet, there is now a growing body of literature on specific genes, suggesting wide ranging transcriptional and translational consequences of such subtle methylation changes. Data from the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) has shown that a complex interplay between DNA methylation, extensive 5′UTR splicing, and microvariability gives rise to the overall level and relative distribution of total and N-terminal protein isoforms generated. Additionally, the presence of multiple AUG translation initiation codons throughout the complete, processed mRNA enables translation variability, hereby enhancing the translational isoforms and the resulting protein isoform diversity, providing a clear link between small changes in DNA methylation and significant changes in protein isoforms and cellular locations. Methylation changes in the NR3C1 CpG island alters the NR3C1 transcription and eventually protein isoforms in the tissues, resulting in subtle but visible physiological variability. This review addresses the current pathophysiological and clinical associations of such characteristically small DNA methylation changes, the ever-growing roles of DNA methylation and the evidence available, particularly from the glucocorticoid receptor of the cascade of events initiated by such subtle methylation changes, as well as addressing the underlying question as to what represents a genuine biologically significant difference in methylation.
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Farrell C, O'Keane V. Epigenetics and the glucocorticoid receptor: A review of the implications in depression. Psychiatry Res 2016; 242:349-356. [PMID: 27344028 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a serious psychiatric disorder that effects at least 350 million people worldwide today. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) is a robust finding in the pathophysiology of depression. This dysregulation is hypothesized to result from altered central glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels and/or function as a consequence of chronic glucocorticoid (GC) release, leading to receptor resistance. Pivotal animal and human research to date has identified that early life exposure to prolonged levels of GCs, stress and/or depression, can induce epigenetic modifications at key regions on the GR gene that lead to alterations in GR expression and function. Epigenetics provides an attractive mechanism to explain how ones' genes and environment can interact to produce different disease phenotypes. This review aims to compile the information that has been collected to date and to identify key areas for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Farrell
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Veronica O'Keane
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, AMNCH (Tallaght) Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
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Nagarajan S, Seddighzadeh B, Baccarelli A, Wise LA, Williams M, Shields AE. Adverse maternal exposures, methylation of glucocorticoid-related genes and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review. Epigenomics 2016; 8:925-44. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.16.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Maternal environmental exposures affect perinatal outcomes through epigenetic placental changes. We examine the literature addressing associations between adverse maternal exposures, perinatal outcomes and methylation of key genes regulating placental cortisol metabolism. Methods: We searched three databases for studies that examined NR3C1 and HSD11β1/HSD11 β 2 methylation with maternal exposures or perinatal outcomes. Nineteen studies remained after screening. We followed Cochrane's PRISMA reporting guidelines (2009). Results: NR3C1 and HSD11 β methylation were associated with adverse infant neurobehavior, stress response, blood pressure and physical development. In utero exposure to maternal stress, nutrition, preeclampsia, smoking and diabetes were associated with altered NR3C1 and HSD11 β methylation. Conclusion: NR3C1 and HSD11 β methylation are useful biomarkers of specific environmental stressors associated with important perinatal outcomes that determine pediatric and adult disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sairaman Nagarajan
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bobak Seddighzadeh
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrea Baccarelli
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Lauren A Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michelle Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexandra E Shields
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations & Health Disparities, Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Leenen FAD, Vernocchi S, Hunewald OE, Schmitz S, Molitor AM, Muller CP, Turner JD. Where does transcription start? 5'-RACE adapted to next-generation sequencing. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:2628-45. [PMID: 26615195 PMCID: PMC4824077 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The variability and complexity of the transcription initiation process was examined by adapting RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of 5' cDNA ends (5'-RACE) to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). We oligo-labelled 5'-m(7)G-capped mRNA from two genes, the simple mono-exonic Beta-2-Adrenoceptor (ADRB2R)and the complex multi-exonic Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR, NR3C1), and detected a variability in TSS location that has received little attention up to now. Transcription was not initiated at a fixed TSS, but from loci of 4 to 10 adjacent nucleotides. Individual TSSs had frequencies from <0.001% to 38.5% of the total gene-specific 5' m(7)G-capped transcripts. ADRB2R used a single locus consisting of 4 adjacent TSSs. Unstimulated, the GR used a total of 358 TSSs distributed throughout 38 loci, that were principally in the 5' UTRs and were spliced using established donor and acceptor sites. Complete demethylation of the epigenetically sensitive GR promoter with 5-azacytidine induced one new locus and 127 TSSs, 12 of which were unique. We induced GR transcription with dexamethasone and Interferon-γ, adding one new locus and 185 additional TSSs distributed throughout the promoter region. In-vitro the TSS microvariability regulated mRNA translation efficiency and the relative abundance of the different GRN-terminal protein isoform levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur A D Leenen
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4354, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier, Trier D-54290, Germany
| | - Sara Vernocchi
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4354, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier, Trier D-54290, Germany
| | - Oliver E Hunewald
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4354, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Stephanie Schmitz
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4354, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Anne M Molitor
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4354, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Claude P Muller
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4354, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier, Trier D-54290, Germany
| | - Jonathan D Turner
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4354, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
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Kim YK, Na KS, Myint AM, Leonard BE. The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in neuroinflammation, neurogenesis and the neuroendocrine system in major depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 64:277-84. [PMID: 26111720 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 396] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines are pleiotropic molecules with important roles in inflammatory responses. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuroinflammation are important not only in inflammatory responses but also in neurogenesis and neuroprotection. Sustained stress and the subsequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines lead to chronic neuroinflammation, which contributes to depression. Hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and the associated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have close interactions with pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuroinflammation. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and GR functional resistance are among the most widely investigated factors in the pathophysiology of depression. These two major components create a vicious cycle. In brief, chronic neuroinflammation inhibits GR function, which in turn exacerbates pro-inflammatory cytokine activity and aggravates chronic neuroinflammation. On the other hand, neuroinflammation causes an imbalance between oxidative stress and the anti-oxidant system, which is also associated with depression. Although current evidence strongly suggests that cytokines and GRs have important roles in depression, they are essential components of a whole system of inflammatory and endocrine interactions, rather than playing independent parts. Despite the evidence that a dysfunctional immune and endocrine system contributes to the pathophysiology of depression, much research remains to be undertaken to clarify the cause and effect relationship between depression and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Sae Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Aye-Mu Myint
- Laboratory for Psychoneuroimmunology, Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Brian E Leonard
- Pharmacology Department, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
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Smart C, Strathdee G, Watson S, Murgatroyd C, McAllister-Williams RH. Early life trauma, depression and the glucocorticoid receptor gene--an epigenetic perspective. Psychol Med 2015; 45:3393-3410. [PMID: 26387521 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291715001555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hopes to identify genetic susceptibility loci accounting for the heritability seen in unipolar depression have not been fully realized. Family history remains the 'gold standard' for both risk stratification and prognosis in complex phenotypes such as depression. Meanwhile, the physiological mechanisms underlying life-event triggers for depression remain opaque. Epigenetics, comprising heritable changes in gene expression other than alterations of the nucleotide sequence, may offer a way to deepen our understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of unipolar depression and optimize treatments. A heuristic target for exploring the relevance of epigenetic changes in unipolar depression is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene (NR3C1) has been found to be susceptible to epigenetic modification, specifically DNA methylation, in the context of environmental stress such as early life trauma, which is an established risk for depression later in life. METHOD In this paper we discuss the progress that has been made by studies that have investigated the relationship between depression, early trauma, the HPA axis and the NR3C1 gene. Difficulties with the design of these studies are also explored. RESULTS Future efforts will need to comprehensively address epigenetic natural histories at the population, tissue, cell and gene levels. The complex interactions between the epigenome, genome and environment, as well as ongoing nosological difficulties, also pose significant challenges. CONCLUSIONS The work that has been done so far is nevertheless encouraging and suggests potential mechanistic and biomarker roles for differential DNA methylation patterns in NR3C1 as well as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Smart
- Institute of Neuroscience,Newcastle University,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK
| | - G Strathdee
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research,Newcastle University,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK
| | - S Watson
- Institute of Neuroscience,Newcastle University,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK
| | - C Murgatroyd
- School of Healthcare Science,Manchester Metropolitan University,Manchester,UK
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Bockmühl Y, Patchev AV, Madejska A, Hoffmann A, Sousa JC, Sousa N, Holsboer F, Almeida OFX, Spengler D. Methylation at the CpG island shore region upregulates Nr3c1 promoter activity after early-life stress. Epigenetics 2015; 10:247-57. [PMID: 25793778 PMCID: PMC4622987 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1017199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) induces long-lasting changes in gene expression conferring an increased risk for the development of stress-related mental disorders. Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) mediate the negative feedback actions of glucocorticoids (GC) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary and therefore play a key role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the endocrine response to stress. We here show that ELS programs the expression of the GR gene (Nr3c1) by site-specific hypermethylation at the CpG island (CGI) shore in hypothalamic neurons that produce corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh), thus preventing Crh upregulation under conditions of chronic stress. CpGs mapping to the Nr3c1 CGI shore region are dynamically regulated by ELS and underpin methylation-sensitive control of this region's insulation-like function via Ying Yang 1 (YY1) binding. Our results provide new insight into how a genomic element integrates experience-dependent epigenetic programming of the composite proximal Nr3c1 promoter, and assigns an insulating role to the CGI shore.
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Key Words
- Avp, arginine vasopressin
- BPD, borderline personal disorder
- CGI, CpG island
- CUS, chronic unpredictable stress
- ChIP, chromatin immunoprecipitation
- CpG island shore
- Crh, corticotropin releasing hormone
- DNA methylation
- Dusp1, dual specificity phosphatase 1
- ELS, early-life stress
- EMSA, electrophoretic mobility shift assay
- Fkbp5, FK506 binding protein 51
- GC, glucocorticoid
- GR, glucocorticoid receptor
- GRE, glucocorticoid response element
- HPA, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
- MDD, major depressive disorder
- PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder
- PVN, paraventricular nucleus
- Pomc, pro-opiomelanocortin
- Sgk1, serum glucocorticoid kinase 1
- YY1, Yin Yang
- Yin Yang
- early-life stress
- glucocorticoid receptor
- insulator
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Mata-Greenwood E, Jackson PN, Pearce WJ, Zhang L. Endothelial glucocorticoid receptor promoter methylation according to dexamethasone sensitivity. J Mol Endocrinol 2015; 55:133-46. [PMID: 26242202 PMCID: PMC5113289 DOI: 10.1530/jme-15-0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that in vitro sensitivity to dexamethasone (DEX) stimulation in human endothelial cells is positively regulated by the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1, GR). The present study determined the role of differential GR transcriptional regulation in glucocorticoid sensitivity. We studied 25 human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) that had been previously characterized as DEX-sensitive (n=15), or resistant (n=10). Real-time PCR analysis of GR 5'UTR mRNA isoforms showed that all HUVECs expressed isoforms 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F, and 1H, and isoforms 1B and 1C were predominantly expressed. DEX-resistant cells expressed higher basal levels of the 5'UTR mRNA isoforms 1C and 1D, but lower levels of the 5'UTR mRNA isoform 1F than DEX-sensitive cells. DEX treatment significantly decreased GRα and GR-1C mRNA isoform expression in DEX-resistant cells only. Reporter luciferase assays indicated that differential GR mRNA isoform expression was not due to differential promoter usage between DEX-sensitive and DEX-resistant cells. Analysis of promoter methylation, however, showed that DEX-sensitive cells have higher methylation levels of promoter 1D and lower methylation levels of promoter 1F than DEX-resistant cells. Treatment with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine abolished the differential 5'UTR mRNA isoform expression between DEX-sensitive and DEX-resistant cells. Finally, both GRα overexpression and 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine treatment eliminated the differences between sensitivity groups to DEX-mediated downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3), and upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (SERPINE1). In sum, human endothelial GR 5'UTR mRNA expression is regulated by promoter methylation with DEX-sensitive and DEX-resistant cells having different GR promoter methylation patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Mata-Greenwood
- Divisions of Pharmacology and Physiology Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Perinatal Biology, Medical Center, Loma Linda University, Room A572, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - P Naomi Jackson
- Divisions of Pharmacology and Physiology Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Perinatal Biology, Medical Center, Loma Linda University, Room A572, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - William J Pearce
- Divisions of Pharmacology and Physiology Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Perinatal Biology, Medical Center, Loma Linda University, Room A572, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Divisions of Pharmacology and Physiology Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Center for Perinatal Biology, Medical Center, Loma Linda University, Room A572, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and DNA Hypomethylation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Promoter 1F Region: Associations With HPA Axis Hypofunction and Childhood Trauma. Psychosom Med 2015; 77:853-62. [PMID: 26230484 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hypofunction and enhanced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) sensitivity. In addition, childhood trauma is considered a major risk factor for the syndrome. This study examines DNA methylation of the GR gene (NR3C1) in CFS and associations with childhood sexual and physical trauma. METHODS Quantification of DNA methylation within the 1F promoter region of NR3C1 was performed in 76 female patients (46 with no/mild and 30 with moderate/severe childhood trauma) and 19 healthy controls by using Sequenom EpiTYPER. Further, we examined the association of NR3C1-1F promoter methylation with the outcomes of the low-dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing factor test in a subset of the study population. Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlations were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS Overall NR3C1-1F DNA methylation was lower in patients with CFS than in controls. After cytosine guanine dinucleotide (CpG)-specific analysis, CpG_1.5 remained significant after Bonferroni correction (adjusted p = .0014). Within the CFS group, overall methylation (ρ = 0.477, p = .016) and selective CpG units (CpG_1.5: ρ = 0.538, p = .007; CpG_12.13: ρ = 0.448, p = .025) were positively correlated with salivary cortisol after dexamethasone administration. There was no significant difference in NR3C1-1F methylation between traumatized and nontraumatized patients. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence of NR3C1 promoter hypomethylation in female patients with CFS and the functional relevance of these differences was consistent with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenalaxis hypofunction hypothesis (GR hypersuppression). However, we found no evidence of an additional effect of childhood trauma on CFS via alterations in NR3C1 methylation.
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Pan-Vazquez A, Rye N, Ameri M, McSparron B, Smallwood G, Bickerdyke J, Rathbone A, Dajas-Bailador F, Toledo-Rodriguez M. Impact of voluntary exercise and housing conditions on hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor, miR-124 and anxiety. Mol Brain 2015; 8:40. [PMID: 26135882 PMCID: PMC4487841 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0128-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of physical activity and increased levels of stress contribute to the development of multiple physical and mental disorders. An increasing number of studies relate voluntary exercise with greater resilience to psychological stress, a process that is highly regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on stress resilience are still poorly understood. Here we have studied the impact of long term exercise and housing conditions on: a) hippocampal expression of glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1), b) epigenetic regulation of Nr3c1 (DNA methylation at the Nr3c1-1F promoter and miR-124 expression), c) anxiety (elevated plus maze, EPM), and d) adrenal gland weight and adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor (Mc2r) expression. RESULTS Exercise increased Nr3c1 and Nr3c1-1F expression and decreased miR-124 levels in the hippocampus in single-housed mice, suggesting enhanced resilience to stress. The opposite was found for pair-housed animals. Bisulfite sequencing showed virtually no DNA methylation in the Nr3c1-1F promoter region. Single-housing increased the time spent on stretch attend postures. Exercise decreased the time spent at the open arms of the EPM, however, the mobility of the exercise groups was significantly lower. Exercise had opposite effects on the adrenal gland weight of single and pair-housed mice, while it had no effect on adrenal Mc2r expression. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that exercise exerts a positive impact on stress resilience in single-housed mice that could be mediated by decreasing miR-124 and increasing Nr3c1 expression in the hippocampus. However, pair-housing reverses these effects possibly due to stress from dominance disputes between pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Pan-Vazquez
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.,Present address: MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Rye
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Mitra Ameri
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Bethan McSparron
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriella Smallwood
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan Bickerdyke
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Rathbone
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Federico Dajas-Bailador
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Toledo-Rodriguez
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
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Vinkers CH, Kalafateli AL, Rutten BPF, Kas MJ, Kaminsky Z, Turner JD, Boks MPM. Traumatic stress and human DNA methylation: a critical review. Epigenomics 2015; 7:593-608. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal studies have identified persistent and functional effects of traumatic stress on the epigenome. This review discusses the clinical evidence for trauma-induced changes in DNA methylation across the life span in humans. Studies are reviewed based on reports of trauma exposure during the prenatal period (13 studies), early life (20 studies), and adulthood (ten studies). Even though it is apparent that traumatic stress influences the human epigenome, there are significant drawbacks in the existing human literature. These include a lack of longitudinal studies, methodological heterogeneity, selection of tissue type, and the influence of developmental stage and trauma type on methylation outcomes. These issues are discussed in order to present a way in which future studies can gain more insight into the functional relevance of trauma-related DNA methylation changes. Epigenetic studies investigating the detrimental effects of traumatic stress have great potential for an improved detection and treatment of trauma-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan H Vinkers
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aimilia Lydia Kalafateli
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- John B Pierce Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Bart PF Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J Kas
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zachary Kaminsky
- The Mood Disorders Center, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan D Turner
- Institute of Immunology, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé/Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Marco PM Boks
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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20
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Daskalakis NP, Yehuda R. Site-specific methylation changes in the glucocorticoid receptor exon 1F promoter in relation to life adversity: systematic review of contributing factors. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:369. [PMID: 25484853 PMCID: PMC4240065 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been recent interest in epigenetics in psychiatry since it offers a means of understanding how stressful life experiences, in interaction with the genotype, result in epigenetic changes that result in altered gene expression, ultimately affecting the risk for mental disorders. Many studies focused on methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor exon 1F promoter following an initial observation that changes in this region could be modulated by the environment. This review examines all published studies that have attempted to measure methylation in this region using different techniques, several tissue types, populations at different behavioral state and stages of development. Methodological issues have been raised with the aim of attempting to understand methylation quantification and site of action. We propose that it is useful to examine whether methylation at specific sites within the promoter region may be particularly relevant to psychiatric vulnerability to stress-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos P Daskalakis
- Traumatic Stress Studies Division, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA ; Mental Health Patient Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center Bronx, New York, NY, USA ; Laboratory of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- Traumatic Stress Studies Division, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA ; Mental Health Patient Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center Bronx, New York, NY, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
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Vandevyver S, Dejager L, Libert C. Comprehensive overview of the structure and regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor. Endocr Rev 2014; 35:671-93. [PMID: 24937701 DOI: 10.1210/er.2014-1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide for the treatment of numerous immune and inflammatory disorders. They exert their actions by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. There are several GR isoforms resulting from alternative RNA splicing and translation initiation of the GR transcript. Additionally, these isoforms are all subject to several transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications, all of which affect the protein's stability and/or function. In this review, we summarize recent knowledge on the distinct GR isoforms and the processes that generate them. We also review the importance of all known transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications, including the regulation of GR by microRNAs. Moreover, we discuss the crucial role of the putative GR-bound DNA sequence as an allosteric ligand influencing GR structure and activity. Finally, we describe how the differential composition and distinct regulation at multiple levels of different GR species could account for the wide and diverse effects of glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Vandevyver
- Inflammation Research Center (S.V., L.D., C.L.), Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, B9052 Ghent, Belgium; and Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology (S.V., L.D., C.L.), Ghent University, B9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Na KS, Chang HS, Won E, Han KM, Choi S, Tae WS, Yoon HK, Kim YK, Joe SH, Jung IK, Lee MS, Ham BJ. Association between glucocorticoid receptor methylation and hippocampal subfields in major depressive disorder. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85425. [PMID: 24465557 PMCID: PMC3897456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background DNA methylation in the promoter region of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) is closely associated with childhood adversity and suicide. However, few studies have examined NR3C1 methylation in relation to major depressive disorder (MDD) and hippocampal subfield volumes. We investigated the possible association between NR3C1 methylation and structural brain alterations in MDD in comparison with healthy controls. Methods We compared the degree of NR3C1 promoter methylation in the peripheral blood of non-psychotic outpatients with MDD and that of healthy controls. Correlations among NR3C1 promoter methylation, structural abnormalities in hippocampal subfield volumes and whole-brain cortical thickness, and clinical variables were also analyzed. Results In total, 117 participants (45 with MDD and 72 healthy controls) were recruited. Patients with MDD had significantly lower methylation than healthy controls at 2 CpG sites. In MDD, methylations had positive correlations with the bilateral cornu ammonis (CA) 2–3 and CA4-dentate gyrus (DG) subfields. However, in healthy controls, methylations had positive correlation with the subiculum and presubiculum. There were no differences in total and subfield volumes of the hippocampus between patients with MDD and healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, patients with MDD had a significantly thinner cortex in the left rostromiddle frontal, right lateral orbitofrontal, and right pars triangularis areas. Conclusions Lower methylation in the NR3C1 promoter, which might have compensatory effects relating to CA2-3 and CA4-DG, is a distinct epigenetic characteristic in non-psychotic outpatients with MDD. Future studies with a longitudinal design and a comprehensive neurobiological approach are warranted in order to elucidate the effects of NR3C1 methylation.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- CA2 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism
- CA2 Region, Hippocampal/physiopathology
- CA3 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism
- CA3 Region, Hippocampal/physiopathology
- Case-Control Studies
- DNA Methylation
- Dentate Gyrus/metabolism
- Dentate Gyrus/physiopathology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics
- Depressive Disorder, Major/metabolism
- Depressive Disorder, Major/physiopathology
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Sae Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Soo Chang
- Department of Medical Bioscience, Graduate school, Soonchunhyang University, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunsoo Won
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Man Han
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunyoung Choi
- Brain and Cognitive engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Suk Tae
- Neuroscience Research Institute, College of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Kyoung Yoon
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sook-Haeng Joe
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Kwa Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Soo Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Ham
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Cao-Lei L, Suwansirikul S, Jutavijittum P, Mériaux SB, Turner JD, Muller CP. Glucocorticoid receptor gene expression and promoter CpG modifications throughout the human brain. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:1597-607. [PMID: 23948638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids and the glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors have been implicated in many processes, particularly in negative feedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Epigenetically programmed GR alternative promoter usage underlies transcriptional control of GR levels, generation of GR 3' splice variants, and the overall GC response in the brain. No detailed analysis of GR first exons or GR transcript variants throughout the human brain has been reported. Therefore we investigated post mortem tissues from 28 brain regions of 5 individuals. GR first exons were expressed throughout the healthy human brain with no region-specific usage patterns. First exon levels were highly inter-correlated suggesting that they are co-regulated. GR 3' splice variants (GRα and GR-P) were equally distributed in all regions, and GRβ expression was always low. GR/MR ratios showed significant differences between the 28 tissues with the highest ratio in the pituitary gland. Modification levels of individual CpG dinucleotides, including 5-mC and 5-hmC, in promoters 1D, 1E, 1F, and 1H were low, and diffusely clustered; despite significant heterogeneity between the donors. In agreement with this clustering, sum modification levels rather than individual CpG modifications correlated with GR expression. Two-way ANOVA showed that this sum modification was both promoter and brain region specific, but that there was however no promoter*tissue interaction. The heterogeneity between donors may however hide such an interaction. In both promoters 1F and 1H modification levels correlated with GRα expression suggesting that 5-mC and 5-hmC play an important role in fine tuning GR expression levels throughout the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cao-Lei
- Institute of Immunology, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé, Laboratoire National de Santé, 20A rue Auguste Lumière, L-1950 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier, D-54290 Trier, Germany
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24
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Altmann S, Murani E, Schwerin M, Metges CC, Wimmers K, Ponsuksili S. Dietary protein restriction and excess of pregnant German Landrace sows induce changes in hepatic gene expression and promoter methylation of key metabolic genes in the offspring. J Nutr Biochem 2013; 24:484-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Abstract
Adverse environments during the fetal and neonatal development period may permanently program physiology and metabolism, and lead to increased risk of diseases in later life. Programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is one of the key mechanisms that contribute to altered metabolism and response to stress. Programming of the HPA axis often involves epigenetic modification of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene promoter, which influences tissue-specific GR expression patterns and response to stimuli. This review summarizes the current state of research on the HPA axis and programming of health and disease in the adult, focusing on the epigenetic regulation of GR gene expression patterns in response to fetal and neonatal stress. Aberrant GR gene expression patterns in the developing brain may have a significant negative impact on protection of the immature brain against hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the critical period of development during and immediately after birth.
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Drake AJ, McPherson RC, Godfrey KM, Cooper C, Lillycrop KA, Hanson MA, Meehan RR, Seckl JR, Reynolds RM. An unbalanced maternal diet in pregnancy associates with offspring epigenetic changes in genes controlling glucocorticoid action and foetal growth. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2012; 77:808-15. [PMID: 22642564 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2012.04453.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In epidemiological studies, adverse early-life conditions associate with subsequent cardiometabolic disease. Hypothesized causes include maternal malnutrition, foetal glucocorticoid overexposure and reduced growth factors. Animal studies suggest a role for epigenetic processes in maintaining early-life effects into adulthood, but human relevance is unknown. We aimed to investigate relationships between an unbalanced maternal diet in pregnancy, neonatal and adult anthropometric variables with methylation at key genes controlling tissue glucocorticoid action and foetal growth. DESIGN We studied 34 individuals aged 40 from the Motherwell cohort study whose mothers ate an unbalanced diet in pregnancy, previously linked with elevated blood pressure and cortisol in adult offspring. MEASUREMENTS DNA methylation at 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2), glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) was measured by pyrosequencing on buffy coat DNA. RESULTS Methylation at specific CpGs in the HSD2 promoter and at one of the IGF2 differentially methylated regions (H19 ICR) correlated with neonatal anthropometric variables. CpG methylation within HSD2, GR and H19 ICR was positively associated with increased adiposity and blood pressure in adulthood. Methylation at GR (exon 1F) was increased in offspring of mothers with the most unbalanced diets in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in DNA methylation at genes important in regulating circulating cortisol levels, tissue glucocorticoid action, blood pressure and foetal growth are present in adulthood in association with both early-life parameters and cardiometabolic risk factors. The data indicate a persisting epigenetic link between early-life maternal diet and/or foetal growth and cardiovascular disease risk in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Drake
- Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Epigenetic and genetic factors predict women's salivary cortisol following a threat to the social self. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48597. [PMID: 23155396 PMCID: PMC3498240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests that the reactivity of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPAA) is modulated by both genetic and environmental variables. Of special interest are the underlying molecular mechanisms driving gender differences to psychosocial stressors. Epigenetic mechanisms that sculpt the genome are ideal candidates for mediating the effects of signals on the HPAA. In the current study, we analyzed by pyrosequencing, bisulfite-treated buccal DNA from male and female university students who participated in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). A linear regression model was used to ascertain the effects of sex, CpG methylation and genes on stress response. Total cortisol output (area under the curve, AUC) was significantly predicted by glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) exon 1F methylation (averaged across 39 CpG sites) solely in female subjects. A single CpG site located in the exon 1F noncanonical nerve growth factor-inducible protein A (NGFI-A) transcription factor was a highly significant predictor of AUC in female subjects. Additionally, variations in the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and the serotonin transporter promoter (5-HTTLPR) genes were independent additive predictors of AUC. The full model accounted for half of the variance (50.06%) in total cortisol output. Notably, this is the first demonstration that epigenetic changes at the GR exon 1F correlate with HPAA reactivity. These findings have important implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying gender differences in stress-related disorders and underscore the unique value of modeling both epigenetic and genetic information in conferring vulnerability to stress.
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Witzmann SR, Turner JD, Mériaux SB, Meijer OC, Muller CP. Epigenetic regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor promoter 1(7) in adult rats. Epigenetics 2012; 7:1290-301. [PMID: 23023726 DOI: 10.4161/epi.22363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels is an important stress adaptation mechanism. Transcription factor Nfgi-a and environmentally induced Gr promoter 1 7 methylation have been implicated in fine-tuning the expression of Gr 1 7 transcripts. Here, we investigated Gr promoter 1 7 methylation and Gr 1 7 expression in adult rats exposed to either acute or chronic stress paradigms. A strong negative correlation was observed between the sum of promoter-wide methylation levels and Gr 1 7 transcript levels, independent of the stressor. Methylation of individual sites did not, however, correlate with transcript levels. This suggested that promoter 1 7 was directly regulated by promoter-wide DNA methylation. Although acute stress increased Ngfi-a expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), Gr 1 7 transcript levels remained unaffected despite low methylation levels. Acute stress had little effect on these low methylation levels, except at four hippocampal CpGs. Chronic stress altered the corticosterone response to an acute stressor. In the adrenal and pituitary glands, but not in the brain, this was accompanied by an increase in methylation levels in orchestrated clusters rather than individual CpGs. PVN methylation levels, unaffected by acute or chronic stress, were significantly more variable within- than between-groups, suggesting that they were instated probably during the perinatal period and represent a pre-established trait. Thus, in addition to the known perinatal programming, the Gr 1 7 promoter is epigenetically regulated by chronic stress in adulthood, and retains promoter-wide tissue-specific plasticity. Differences in methylation susceptibility between the PVN in the perinatal period and the peripheral HPA axis tissues in adulthood may represent an important "trait" vs. "state" regulation of the Gr gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone R Witzmann
- Institute of Immunology, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé and National Public Health Laboratory, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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29
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Hoffmann A, Spengler D. The lasting legacy of social stress on the epigenome of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Epigenomics 2012; 4:431-44. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.12.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Social stress is a major factor contributing to early-life adversity that has taken on an epidemic scale. Early social stress leads to long-lasting changes in behavior, cognition, mood and neuroendocrine responses predisposing to or sheltering from stress-related diseases later in life. Epigenetic mechanisms are thought to mediate the effects of early social stress on the epigenome, and can give rise to persistent memories hard coded by DNA methylation. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis canalizes early social stress, which leaves its footprints at key regulator sites of this highly plastic system. Thereby, social stress-induced DNA memories mirror the complexity of the stress response and sex differences in brain epigenetics. Timely therapeutic interventions should aim to attenuate early social stress-derived DNA markings and their life-long consequences for mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hoffmann
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Kraepelinstrasse 2–10, D-80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Dietmar Spengler
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Kraepelinstrasse 2–10, D-80804 Munich, Germany
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30
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Childhood adversity and epigenetic modulation of the leukocyte glucocorticoid receptor: preliminary findings in healthy adults. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30148. [PMID: 22295073 PMCID: PMC3266256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A history of early adverse experiences is an important risk factor for adult psychopathology. Changes in stress sensitivity and functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may underlie the association between stress and risk for psychiatric disorders. Preclinical work in rodents has linked low levels of maternal care to increased methylation of the promoter region of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene, as well as to exaggerated hormonal and behavioral responses to stress. Recent studies have begun to examine whether early-life stress leads to epigenetic modifications of the GR gene in humans. Methods We examined the degree of methylation of a region of the promoter of the human GR gene (NR3C1) in leukocyte DNA from 99 healthy adults. Participants reported on their childhood experiences of parental behavior, parental death or desertion, and childhood maltreatment. On a separate day, participants completed the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test, a standardized neuroendocrine challenge test. Results Disruption or lack of adequate nurturing, as measured by parental loss, childhood maltreatment, and parental care, was associated with increased NR3C1 promoter methylation (p<.05). In addition, NR3C1 promoter methylation was linked to attenuated cortisol responses to the Dex/CRH test (p<.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that childhood maltreatment or adversity may lead to epigenetic modifications of the human GR gene. Alterations in methylation of this gene could underlie the associations between childhood adversity, alterations in stress reactivity, and risk for psychopathology.
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31
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Miller GE, Chen E, Parker KJ. Psychological stress in childhood and susceptibility to the chronic diseases of aging: moving toward a model of behavioral and biological mechanisms. Psychol Bull 2011; 137:959-97. [PMID: 21787044 PMCID: PMC3202072 DOI: 10.1037/a0024768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1126] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Among people exposed to major psychological stressors in early life, there are elevated rates of morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases of aging. The most compelling data come from studies of children raised in poverty or maltreated by their parents, who show heightened vulnerability to vascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and premature mortality. These findings raise challenging theoretical questions. How does childhood stress get under the skin, at the molecular level, to affect risk for later diseases? And how does it incubate there, giving rise to diseases several decades later? Here we present a biological embedding model, which attempts to address these questions by synthesizing knowledge across several behavioral and biomedical literatures. This model maintains that childhood stress gets "programmed" into macrophages through epigenetic markings, posttranslational modifications, and tissue remodeling. As a consequence these cells are endowed with proinflammatory tendencies, manifest in exaggerated cytokine responses to challenge and decreased sensitivity to inhibitory hormonal signals. The model goes on to propose that over the life course, these proinflammatory tendencies are exacerbated by behavioral proclivities and hormonal dysregulation, themselves the products of exposure to early stress. Behaviorally, the model posits that childhood stress gives rise to excessive threat vigilance, mistrust of others, poor social relationships, impaired self-regulation, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Hormonally, early stress confers altered patterns of endocrine and autonomic discharge. This milieu amplifies the proinflammatory environment already instantiated by macrophages. Acting in concert with other exposures and genetic liabilities, the resulting inflammation drives forward pathogenic mechanisms that ultimately foster chronic disease.
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32
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Radtke KM, Ruf M, Gunter HM, Dohrmann K, Schauer M, Meyer A, Elbert T. Transgenerational impact of intimate partner violence on methylation in the promoter of the glucocorticoid receptor. Transl Psychiatry 2011; 1:e21. [PMID: 22832523 PMCID: PMC3309516 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2011.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal stress can have lifelong implications for psychological function, such as behavioral problems and even the development of mental illness. Previous research suggests that this is due to transgenerational epigenetic programming of genes operating in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). However, it is not known whether intrauterine exposure to maternal stress affects the epigenetic state of these genes beyond infancy. Here, we analyze the methylation status of the GR gene in mothers and their children, at 10-19 years after birth. We combine these data with a retrospective evaluation of maternal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV). Methylation of the mother's GR gene was not affected by IPV. For the first time, we show that methylation status of the GR gene of adolescent children is influenced by their mother's experience of IPV during pregnancy. As these sustained epigenetic modifications are established in utero, we consider this to be a plausible mechanism by which prenatal stress may program adult psychosocial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Radtke
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Center for Psychiatry Reichenau, Konstanz, Germany
- Lehrstuhl für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - M Ruf
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Center for Psychiatry Reichenau, Konstanz, Germany
| | - H M Gunter
- Lehrstuhl für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - K Dohrmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Center for Psychiatry Reichenau, Konstanz, Germany
| | - M Schauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Center for Psychiatry Reichenau, Konstanz, Germany
| | - A Meyer
- Lehrstuhl für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - T Elbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Center for Psychiatry Reichenau, Konstanz, Germany
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Cao-Lei L, Leija SC, Kumsta R, Wüst S, Meyer J, Turner JD, Muller CP. Transcriptional control of the human glucocorticoid receptor: identification and analysis of alternative promoter regions. Hum Genet 2011; 129:533-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-011-0949-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Turner JD, Alt SR, Cao L, Vernocchi S, Trifonova S, Battello N, Muller CP. Transcriptional control of the glucocorticoid receptor: CpG islands, epigenetics and more. Biochem Pharmacol 2010; 80:1860-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2010.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 06/18/2010] [Accepted: 06/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Herbeck YE, Os’kina IN, Gulevich RG, Plyusnina IZ. Effects of maternal methyl-supplement diet on hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in rats selected for behavior. CYTOL GENET+ 2010. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452710020064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Differential expression of glucocorticoid receptor transcripts in major depressive disorder is not epigenetically programmed. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010; 35:544-56. [PMID: 19782477 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2009] [Revised: 08/31/2009] [Accepted: 09/02/2009] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is one of the most consistent findings in major depressive disorder (MDD). Impaired HPA feedback may be due to the lower glucocorticoid receptor (GR) or mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) levels in the forebrain. GR levels are transcriptionally controlled by multiple untranslated alternative first exons, each with its own promoter providing a mechanism for tissue-specific fine-tuning of GR levels. Recently epigenetic methylation of these GR promoters was shown to modulate hippocampal GR levels. Here we investigate in post-mortem brain tissues whether in MDD HPA axis hyperactivity may be due to epigenetic modulation of GR transcript variants. Levels of GRalpha, GRbeta and GR-P transcripts were homogeneous throughout the limbic system, with GRalpha being the most abundant (83%), followed by GR-P (5-6%) while GRbeta was barely detectable (0.02%). Among the alternative first exons, 1B and 1C were the most active, while 1E and 1J showed the lowest expression and transcript 1F expressed intermediate levels of about 1%. In MDD, total GR levels were unaltered, although GRalpha was decreased in the amygdala and cingulate gyrus (p<0.05); transcripts containing exons 1B, 1C and 1F were lower, and 1D and1J were increased in some regions. NGFI-A, a transcription factor of exon 1F was down-regulated in the hippocampus of MDD patients; concomitantly exon 1F expression was reduced. Bisulphite sequencing of the alternative promoters showed low methylation levels in both MDD and control brains. Promoter 1F was uniformly unmethylated, suggesting that reduced 1F transcript levels are not linked to promoter methylation but to the observed dearth of NGFI-A. Previous studies showed high methylation levels in the 1F promoter, associated with childhood abuse. Provided our donors were not abused, our results suggest that the pathomechanism of MDD is similar but nevertheless distinct from that of abuse victims, explaining the clinical similarity of both conditions and that susceptibility to depression may be either predisposed by early trauma or developed independent of such a condition. However, this should be further confirmed in dedicated studies in larger cohorts.
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Fan H, Wang L, Guo F, Wei S, Zhao R. Neonatal intramuscular injection of plasmid encoding glucagon-like peptide-1 affects anxiety behaviour and expression of the hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor in adolescent rats. J Biosci 2010; 35:63-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-010-0008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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38
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Daniels WMU, Fairbairn LR, van Tilburg G, McEvoy CRE, Zigmond MJ, Russell VA, Stein DJ. Maternal separation alters nerve growth factor and corticosterone levels but not the DNA methylation status of the exon 1(7) glucocorticoid receptor promoter region. Metab Brain Dis 2009; 24:615-27. [PMID: 19816761 PMCID: PMC2857759 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-009-9163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2009] [Accepted: 08/14/2009] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Separating rat pups from their mothers during the early stages of life is an animal model commonly used to study the development of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. The present study investigated how soon after the termination of the maternal separation period behavioural and neuroendocrine abnormalities relevant to above-mentioned illnesses would manifest. Sprague Dawley rat pups were subjected to maternal separation (3 h per day from postnatal day 2 through 14) and their behaviour and HPA axis activity determined 7 d later. We also measured nerve growth factor levels in their hippocampi and assessed the DNA methylation status of the promoter region of exon 1(7) of the glucocorticoid receptor in this brain region. As early as 7 d after the termination of the adverse event, a change in behaviour was observed that was associated with increased plasma corticosterone release and elevated nerve growth factor levels in the hippocampus. No alteration in the methylation status of the exon 1(7) glucocorticoid receptor promoter region was observed. Our data indicate that early life adversity may lead to the rapid development of abnormal behaviours and HPA axis dysregulation though no epigenetic changes to the exon 1(7) glucocorticoid receptor promoter region occurred. We further propose that the observed increased neurotrophin levels reflect compensatory mechanisms that attempt to combat the long-term deleterious effects of maternal separation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Base Sequence/genetics
- Behavior, Animal/physiology
- Corticosterone/analysis
- Corticosterone/blood
- DNA Methylation/physiology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epigenesis, Genetic/physiology
- Exons/genetics
- Female
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology
- Male
- Maternal Deprivation
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mood Disorders/genetics
- Mood Disorders/metabolism
- Mood Disorders/physiopathology
- Nerve Growth Factor/analysis
- Nerve Growth Factor/blood
- Neurosecretory Systems/physiology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
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Affiliation(s)
- W M U Daniels
- Discipline of Human Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
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39
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Abstract
The major psychotic disorders schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are etiologically complex involving both heritable and nonheritable factors. The absence of consistently replicated major genetic effects, together with evidence for lasting changes in gene expression after environmental exposures, is consistent with the concept that the biologic underpinnings of these disorders are epigenetic in form rather than DNA sequence based. Psychosis-associated environmental exposures, particularly at key developmental stages, may result in long-lasting epigenetic alterations that impact on the neurobiological processes involved in pathology. Although direct evidence for epigenetic dysfunction in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is still limited, methodological technologies in epigenomic profiling have advanced. This means that we are at the exciting stage where it is feasible to start investigating molecular modifications to DNA and histones and examine the mechanisms by which environmental factors can act upon the genome to bring about epigenetic changes in gene expression involved in the etiology of these disorders. Given the dynamic nature of the epigenetic machinery and potential reversibility of epigenetic modifications, the understanding of such mechanisms is of key relevance for clinical psychiatry and for identifying new targets for prevention and/or intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart P. F. Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, Vijverdalseweg 1, Maastricht 6226 NB, The Netherlands,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: +31-43-3688697, fax: +31-43-3688669, e-mail:
| | - Jonathan Mill
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
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40
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Conserved methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene exon 1(7) promoter in rats subjected to a maternal methyl-supplemented diet. Int J Dev Neurosci 2009; 28:9-12. [PMID: 19874883 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Revised: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 10/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that the early life experiences affect stress responses and other physiological and behavioral traits in adulthood. Both rat and human studies have shown that early postnatal effects are associated with methylation of the hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor gene exon 1(7) (rat) and 1-F (human) promoters. Methylation of these sites is also seen following methionine administration in adult rats. However, it remains unclear whether similar alterations in DNA methylation profiles can result from prenatal influences. To address this question, we fed pregnant rats a methyl-supplemented diet that resulted in alteration of the stress response. However, methylation analysis revealed no effect of methyl supplements on methylation patterns of the glucocorticoid receptor gene exon 1(7) promoter in offspring. These results suggest that the pre- and postnatal effects of methyl supplementation have different mechanisms.
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41
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Functional analysis of a potassium-chloride co-transporter 3 (SLC12A6) promoter polymorphism leading to an additional DNA methylation site. Neuropsychopharmacology 2009; 34:458-67. [PMID: 18536702 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2008.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human potassium-chloride co-transporter 3 (KCC3, SLC12A6) is involved in cell proliferation and in electro-neutral movement of ions across the cell membrane. The gene (SLC12A6) is located on chromosome 15q14, a region that has previously shown linkage with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, rolandic epilepsy, idiopathic generalized epilepsy, autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Furthermore, recessively inherited mutations of SLC12A6 cause Andermann syndrome, characterized by agenesis of the corpus callosum, which is associated with peripheral neuropathy and psychoses. Recently, we have demonstrated the association of two G/A promoter polymorphisms of SLC12A6 with bipolar disorder in a case-control study, and familial segregation of the rare variants as well as a trend toward association with schizophrenia. To investigate functional consequences of these polymorphisms, lymphocyte DNA was extracted, bisulfite modified, and subsequently sequenced. To investigate SLC12A6 promoter activity, various promoter constructs were generated and analyzed by luciferase reporter gene assays. We provide evidence that the G- allele showed a significant reduction of reporter gene expression. In human lymphocytes, the allele harboring the rare upstream G nucleotide was found to be methylated at the adjacent C position, possibly accountable for tissue-specific reduction in gene expression in vivo. Here we demonstrate functionality of an SNP associated with psychiatric disease and our results may represent a functional link between genetic variation and an epigenetic modification.
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42
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Turner JD, Pelascini LPL, Macedo JA, Muller CP. Highly individual methylation patterns of alternative glucocorticoid receptor promoters suggest individualized epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 36:7207-18. [PMID: 19004867 PMCID: PMC2602793 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription start sites (TSS) and promoters of many genes are located in upstream CpG islands. Methylation within such islands is known for both imprinted and oncogenes, although poorly studied for other genes, especially those with complex CpG islands containing multiple first exons and promoters. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) CpG island contains seven alternative first exons and their promoters. Here we show for the five GR promoters activated in PBMCs that methylation patterns are highly variable between individuals. The majority of positions were methylated at levels >25% in at least one donor affecting each promoter and TSS. We also examined the evolutionarily conserved transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) using an improved in silico phylogenetic footprinting technique. The majority of these contain methylatable CpG sites, suggesting that methylation may orchestrates alternative first exon usage, silencing and controlling tissue-specific expression. The heterogeneity observed may reflect epigenetic mechanisms of GR fine tuning, programmed by early life environment and events. With 78% of evolutionarily conserved alternative first exons falling into such complex CpG islands, their internal structure and epigenetic modifications are bound to be biologically important, and may be a common transcriptional control mechanism used throughout many phyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Turner
- Institute of Immunology, Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg, Germany
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