1
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Flentke GR, Wilkie TE, Baulch J, Huang Y, Smith SM. Alcohol exposure suppresses ribosome biogenesis and causes nucleolar stress in cranial neural crest cells. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304557. [PMID: 38941348 PMCID: PMC11213321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes cognitive impairment and a distinctive craniofacial dysmorphology, due in part to apoptotic losses of the pluripotent cranial neural crest cells (CNCs) that form facial bones and cartilage. We previously reported that PAE rapidly represses expression of >70 ribosomal proteins (padj = 10-E47). Ribosome dysbiogenesis causes nucleolar stress and activates p53-MDM2-mediated apoptosis. Using primary avian CNCs and the murine CNC line O9-1, we tested whether nucleolar stress and p53-MDM2 signaling mediates this apoptosis. We further tested whether haploinsufficiency in genes that govern ribosome biogenesis, using a blocking morpholino approach, synergizes with alcohol to worsen craniofacial outcomes in a zebrafish model. In both avian and murine CNCs, pharmacologically relevant alcohol exposure (20mM, 2hr) causes the dissolution of nucleolar structures and the loss of rRNA synthesis; this nucleolar stress persisted for 18-24hr. This was followed by reduced proliferation, stabilization of nuclear p53, and apoptosis that was prevented by overexpression of MDM2 or dominant-negative p53. In zebrafish embryos, low-dose alcohol or morpholinos directed against ribosomal proteins Rpl5a, Rpl11, and Rps3a, the Tcof homolog Nolc1, or mdm2 separately caused modest craniofacial malformations, whereas these blocking morpholinos synergized with low-dose alcohol to reduce and even eliminate facial elements. Similar results were obtained using a small molecule inhibitor of RNA Polymerase 1, CX5461, whereas p53-blocking morpholinos normalized craniofacial outcomes under high-dose alcohol. Transcriptome analysis affirmed that alcohol suppressed the expression of >150 genes essential for ribosome biogenesis. We conclude that alcohol causes the apoptosis of CNCs, at least in part, by suppressing ribosome biogenesis and invoking a nucleolar stress that initiates their p53-MDM2 mediated apoptosis. We further note that the facial deficits that typify PAE and some ribosomopathies share features including reduced philtrum, upper lip, and epicanthal distance, suggesting the facial deficits of PAE represent, in part, a ribosomopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- George R. Flentke
- UNC Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America
| | - Thomas E. Wilkie
- UNC Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America
| | - Josh Baulch
- UNC Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America
| | - Yanping Huang
- UNC Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America
| | - Susan M. Smith
- UNC Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America
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2
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Zeng X, Cai Y, Wu M, Chen H, Sun M, Yang H. An overview of current advances in perinatal alcohol exposure and pathogenesis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:20. [PMID: 38643092 PMCID: PMC11031898 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-024-09537-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The adverse use of alcohol is a serious global public health problem. Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy usually causes prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in the developing fetus, leading to a spectrum of disorders known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and even fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) throughout the lifelong sufferers. The prevalence of FASD is approximately 7.7 per 1,000 worldwide, and is even higher in developed regions. Generally, Ethanol in alcoholic beverages can impair embryonic neurological development through multiple pathways leading to FASD. Among them, the leading mechanism of FASDs is attributed to ethanol-induced neuroinflammatory damage to the central nervous system (CNS). Although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, the remaining multiple pathological mechanisms is likely due to the neurotoxic damage of ethanol and the resultant neuronal loss. Regardless of the molecular pathway, the ultimate outcome of the developing CNS exposed to ethanol is almost always the destruction and apoptosis of neurons, which leads to the reduction of neurons and further the development of FASD. In this review, we systematically summarize the current research progress on the pathogenesis of FASD, which hopefully provides new insights into differential early diagnosis, treatment and prevention for patents with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingdong Zeng
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Yongle Cai
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Mengyan Wu
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Haonan Chen
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China.
| | - Hao Yang
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, China.
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3
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Małkowska A, Ługowska K, Grucza K, Małkowska W, Kwiatkowska D. Ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate in the zebrafish after ethanol exposure. Alcohol 2024; 115:33-39. [PMID: 37633541 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol exposure during pregnancy is an important problem and is the cause of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The etiology of FAS and FASD can be elucidated using animal models. Recently, a novel model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), has garnered the interest of researchers. This study confirmed the negative influence of ethyl alcohol (0.5 %, 1.5 %, and 2.5 % v/v) on the development of zebrafish embryos. The observed malformations included pericardial and yolk sac edema, increased body curvature, tail edema, and a decreased embryo hatching rate. The differences in body length, body width, and heart rate were statistically significant. Due to the similarities in the quantity and function of ethanol biotransformation enzymes between zebrafish and mammals, this study investigated the nonoxidative metabolites of ethanol - ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) - in zebrafish following ethanol exposure. This research confirmed that EtG and EtS concentrations can be measured in zebrafish embryos, and the levels of these metabolites appear to be associated with the ethyl alcohol concentration in the medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Małkowska
- Department of Toxicology and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1 Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Kinga Ługowska
- Department of Toxicology and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1 Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Grucza
- Polish Anti-Doping Laboratory, Księcia Ziemowita 53/4 Street, 03-885 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Weronika Małkowska
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, SW15 5PJ, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dorota Kwiatkowska
- Polish Anti-Doping Laboratory, Księcia Ziemowita 53/4 Street, 03-885 Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Klem JR, Schwantes-An TH, Abreu M, Suttie M, Gray R, Vo H, Conley G, Foroud TM, Wetherill L, Lovely CB. Mutation in the Bone Morphogenetic Protein signaling pathway sensitize zebrafish and humans to ethanol-induced jaw malformations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546932. [PMID: 37425959 PMCID: PMC10327032 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describe ethanol-induced developmental defects including craniofacial malformations. While ethanol-sensitive genetic mutations contribute to facial malformations, the impacted cellular mechanisms remain unknown. Bmp signaling is a key regulator of epithelial morphogenesis driving facial development, providing a possible ethanol-sensitive mechanism. We found that zebrafish mutants for Bmp signaling components are ethanol-sensitive and affect anterior pharyngeal endoderm shape and gene expression, indicating ethanol-induced malformations of the anterior pharyngeal endoderm cause facial malformations. Integrating FASD patient data, we provide the first evidence that variants in the human Bmp receptor gene BMPR1B associate with ethanol-related differences in jaw volume. Our results show that ethanol exposure disrupts proper morphogenesis of, and tissue interactions between, facial epithelia that mirror overall viscerocranial shape changes and are predictive for Bmp-ethanol associations in human jaw development. Our data provide a mechanistic paradigm linking ethanol to disrupted epithelial cell behaviors that underlie facial defects in FASD.
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5
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Chen SY, Kannan M. Neural crest cells and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Mechanisms and potential targets for prevention. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106855. [PMID: 37460002 PMCID: PMC10528842 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of preventable and nongenetic birth defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can result in a range of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and functioning deficits, as well as craniofacial dysmorphology and other congenital defects. During embryonic development, neural crest cells (NCCs) play a critical role in giving rise to many cell types in the developing embryos, including those in the peripheral nervous system and craniofacial structures. Ethanol exposure during this critical period can have detrimental effects on NCC induction, migration, differentiation, and survival, leading to a broad range of structural and functional abnormalities observed in individuals with FASD. This review article provides an overview of the current knowledge on the detrimental effects of ethanol on NCC induction, migration, differentiation, and survival. The article also examines the molecular mechanisms involved in ethanol-induced NCC dysfunction, such as oxidative stress, altered gene expression, apoptosis, epigenetic modifications, and other signaling pathways. Furthermore, the review highlights potential therapeutic strategies for preventing or mitigating the detrimental effects of ethanol on NCCs and reducing the risk of FASD. Overall, this article offers a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the impact of ethanol on NCCs and its role in FASD, shedding light on potential avenues for future research and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Yu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | - Maharajan Kannan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
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6
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Everson JL, Tseng YC, Eberhart JK. High-throughput detection of craniofacial defects in fluorescent zebrafish. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:371-389. [PMID: 36369674 PMCID: PMC9898129 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Losses and malformations of cranial neural crest cell (cNCC) derivatives are a hallmark of several common brain and face malformations. Nevertheless, the etiology of these cNCC defects remains unknown for many cases, suggesting a complex basis involving interactions between genetic and/or environmental factors. However, the sheer number of possible factors (thousands of genes and hundreds of thousands of toxicants) has hindered identification of specific interactions. Here, we develop a high-throughput analysis that will enable faster identification of multifactorial interactions in the genesis of craniofacial defects. Zebrafish embryos expressing a fluorescent marker of cNCCs (fli1:EGFP) were exposed to a pathway inhibitor standard or environmental toxicant, and resulting changes in fluorescence were measured in high-throughput using a fluorescent microplate reader to approximate cNCC losses. Embryos exposed to the environmental Hedgehog pathway inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor standard, or alcohol (ethanol) exhibited reduced fli1:EGFP fluorescence at one day post fertilization, which corresponded with craniofacial defects at five days post fertilization. Combining PBO and alcohol in a co-exposure paradigm synergistically reduced fluorescence, demonstrating a multifactorial interaction. Using pathway reporter transgenics, we show that the plate reader assay is sensitive at detecting alterations in Hedgehog signaling, a critical regulator of craniofacial development. We go on to demonstrate that this technique readily detects defects in other important cell types, namely neurons. Together, these findings demonstrate this novel in vivo platform can predict developmental abnormalities and multifactorial interactions in high-throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L. Everson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA,Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Yung-Chia Tseng
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Johann K. Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA,Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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7
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Weeks O, Miller BM, Pepe-Mooney BJ, Oderberg IM, Freeburg SH, Smith CJ, North TE, Goessling W. Embryonic alcohol exposure disrupts the ubiquitin-proteasome system. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e156914. [PMID: 36477359 PMCID: PMC9746913 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.156914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol (EtOH) is a commonly encountered teratogen that can disrupt organ development and lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs); many mechanisms of developmental toxicity are unknown. Here, we used transcriptomic analysis in an established zebrafish model of embryonic alcohol exposure (EAE) to identify the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) as a critical target of EtOH during development. Surprisingly, EAE alters 20S, 19S, and 11S proteasome gene expression and increases ubiquitylated protein load. EtOH and its metabolite acetaldehyde decrease proteasomal peptidase activity in a cell type-specific manner. Proteasome 20S subunit β 1 (psmb1hi2939Tg) and proteasome 26S subunit, ATPase 6 (psmc6hi3593Tg), genetic KOs define the developmental impact of decreased proteasome function. Importantly, loss of psmb1 or psmc6 results in widespread developmental abnormalities resembling EAE phenotypes, including growth restriction, abnormal craniofacial structure, neurodevelopmental defects, and failed hepatopancreas maturation. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibition of chymotrypsin-like proteasome activity potentiates the teratogenic effects of EAE on craniofacial structure, the nervous system, and the endoderm. Our studies identify the proteasome as a target of EtOH exposure and signify that UPS disruptions contribute to craniofacial, neurological, and endodermal phenotypes in FASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Weeks
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bess M. Miller
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian J. Pepe-Mooney
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isaac M. Oderberg
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scott H. Freeburg
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Colton J. Smith
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trista E. North
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wolfram Goessling
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Fan H, Li Y, Yuan F, Lu L, Liu J, Feng W, Zhang HG, Chen SY. Up-regulation of microRNA-34a mediates ethanol-induced impairment of neural crest cell migration in vitro and in zebrafish embryos through modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting Snail1. Toxicol Lett 2022; 358:17-26. [PMID: 35038560 PMCID: PMC9058190 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure can impair neural crest cell (NCC) development, including NCC survival, differentiation and migration, contributing to the craniofacial dysmorphology in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in regulating the migration of NCCs. The objective of this study is to determine whether ethanol exposure can suppress NCC migration through inhibiting EMT and whether microRNA-34a (miR-34a) is involved in the ethanol-induced impairment of EMT in NCCs. We found that exposure to 100 mM ethanol significantly inhibited the migration of NCCs. qRT-PCR and Western Blot analysis revealed that exposure to ethanol robustly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of Snail1, a critical transcriptional factor that has a pivotal role in the regulation of EMT. Ethanol exposure also significantly increased the mRNA expression of the Snail1 target gene E-cadherin1 and inhibited EMT in NCCs. We also found that exposure to ethanol significantly elevated the expression of miR-34a that targets Snail1 in NCCs. In addition, down-regulation of miR-34a prevented ethanol-induced repression of Snail1 and diminished ethanol-induced upregulation of Snail1 target gene E-cadherin1 in NCCs. Inhibition of miR-34a restored EMT and prevented ethanol-induced inhibition of NCC migration in vitro and in zebrafish embryos in vivo. These results demonstrate that ethanol-induced upregulation of miR-34a contributes to the impairment of NCC migration through suppressing EMT by targeting Snail1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huadong Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Yihong Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Fuqiang Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Lanhai Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Wenke Feng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Huang-Ge Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Shao-yu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA,To whom correspondence should be sent: Shao-yu Chen, Ph.D., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292 Phone: (502) 852-8677 FAX: (502) 852-8927.
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9
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Alsakran A, Kudoh T. Zebrafish as a Model for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:721924. [PMID: 34975467 PMCID: PMC8714738 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.721924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we will discuss zebrafish as a model for studying mechanisms of human fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). We will overview the studies on FASDs so far and will discuss with specific focus on the mechanisms by which alcohol alters cell migration during the early embryogenesis including blastula, gastrula, and organogenesis stages which later cause morphological defects in the brain and other tissues. FASDs are caused by an elevated alcohol level in the pregnant mother’s body. The symptoms of FASDs include microcephaly, holoprosencephaly, craniofacial abnormalities, and cardiac defects with birth defect in severe cases, and in milder cases, the symptoms lead to developmental and learning disabilities. The transparent zebrafish embryo offers an ideal model system to investigate the genetic, cellular, and organismal responses to alcohol. In the zebrafish, the effects of alcohol were observed in many places during the embryo development from the stem cell gene expression at the blastula/gastrula stage, gastrulation cell movement, morphogenesis of the central nervous system, and neuronal development. The data revealed that ethanol suppresses convergence, extension, and epiboly cell movement at the gastrula stage and cause the failure of normal neural plate formation. Subsequently, other cell movements including neurulation, eye field morphogenesis, and neural crest migration are also suppressed, leading to the malformation of the brain and spinal cord, including microcephaly, cyclopia, spinal bifida, and craniofacial abnormalities. The testing cell migration in zebrafish would provide convenient biomarkers for the toxicity of alcohol and other related chemicals, and investigate the molecular link between the target signaling pathways, following brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amena Alsakran
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Tetsuhiro Kudoh
- Department of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.,University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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10
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Fernandes Y, Lovely CB. Zebrafish models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Genesis 2021; 59:e23460. [PMID: 34739740 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes a wide range of structural deficits and cognitive impairments. FASD impacts up to 5% of children born in the United States each year, making ethanol one of the most common teratogens. Due to limitations and ethical concerns, studies in humans are limited in their ability to study FASD. Animal models have proven critical in identifying and characterizing the mechanisms underlying FASD. In this review, we will focus on the attributes of zebrafish that make it a strong model in which to study ethanol-induced developmental defects. Zebrafish have several attributes that make it an ideal model in which to study FASD. Zebrafish produced large numbers of externally fertilized, translucent embryos. With a high degree of genetic amenability, zebrafish are at the forefront of identifying and characterizing the gene-ethanol interactions that underlie FASD. Work from multiple labs has shown that embryonic ethanol exposures result in defects in craniofacial, cardiac, ocular, and neural development. In addition to structural defects, ethanol-induced cognitive and behavioral impairments have been studied in zebrafish. Building upon these studies, work has identified ethanol-sensitive loci that underlie the developmental defects. However, analyses show there is still much to be learned of these gene-ethanol interactions. The zebrafish is ideally suited to expand our understanding of gene-ethanol interactions and their impact on FASD. Because of the conservation of gene function between zebrafish and humans, these studies will directly translate to studies of candidate genes in human populations and allow for better diagnosis and treatment of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohaan Fernandes
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
| | - C Ben Lovely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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11
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Collier AD, Yasmin N, Khalizova N, Campbell S, Onoichenco A, Fam M, Albeg AS, Leibowitz SF. Sexually dimorphic and asymmetric effects of embryonic ethanol exposure on hypocretin/orexin neurons as related to behavioral changes in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16078. [PMID: 34373563 PMCID: PMC8352948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95707-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons expressing the neuropeptide hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt) in the hypothalamus promote reward-related behaviors including alcohol consumption and are shown in rodents and zebrafish to be stimulated by embryonic exposure to ethanol (EtOH). We used here in zebrafish three-dimensional analyses of the entire population of Hcrt neurons to examine how embryonic EtOH exposure at low-moderate concentrations (0.1% or 0.5% v/v) alters these neurons in relation to behavior. We found that EtOH in the water for 2 h (22-24 h post fertilization) increases the number of Hcrt neurons on the left but not right side of the brain through a stimulation of cell proliferation, this is accompanied by a decrease in locomotor activity under novel conditions but not after habituation, and these effects are evident in both larvae and adults indicating they are long lasting. Our analyses in adults revealed sexually dimorphic effects, with females consuming more EtOH-gelatin and exhibiting more freezing behavior along with an asymmetric increase in Hcrt neurons and males exhibiting increased aggression with no change in Hcrt. These findings suggest that a long lasting, asymmetric increase in Hcrt neurons induced by EtOH results from an asymmetric increase in proliferation specific to Hcrt and contributes to behavioral changes in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Collier
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Nushrat Yasmin
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Nailya Khalizova
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Samantha Campbell
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Amanda Onoichenco
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Milisia Fam
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Avi S. Albeg
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Sarah F. Leibowitz
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
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12
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Guarin M, Faelens R, Giusti A, De Croze N, Léonard M, Cabooter D, Annaert P, de Witte P, Ny A. Spatiotemporal imaging and pharmacokinetics of fluorescent compounds in zebrafish eleuthero-embryos after different routes of administration. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12229. [PMID: 34108572 PMCID: PMC8190279 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91612-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasingly used to assess the pharmacological activity and toxicity of compounds. The spatiotemporal distribution of seven fluorescent alkyne compounds was examined during 48 h after immersion (10 µM) or microinjection (2 mg/kg) in the pericardial cavity (PC), intraperitoneally (IP) and yolk sac (IY) of 3 dpf zebrafish eleuthero-embryos. By modelling the fluorescence of whole-body contours present in fluorescence images, the main pharmacokinetic (PK) parameter values of the compounds were determined. It was demonstrated that especially in case of short incubations (1-3 h) immersion can result in limited intrabody exposure to compounds. In this case, PC and IP microinjections represent excellent alternatives. Significantly, IY microinjections did not result in a suitable intrabody distribution of the compounds. Performing a QSPkR (quantitative structure-pharmacokinetic relationship) analysis, LogD was identified as the only molecular descriptor that explains the final uptake of the selected compounds. It was also shown that combined administration of compounds (immersion and microinjection) provides a more stable intrabody exposure, at least in case of a prolonged immersion and compounds with LogD value > 1. These results will help reduce the risk of false negative results and can offer an invaluable input for future translational research and safety assessment applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlly Guarin
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ruben Faelens
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arianna Giusti
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Marc Léonard
- L'Oréal, Research and Innovation, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Deirdre Cabooter
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Annaert
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Peter de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Annelii Ny
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Chatterjee D, Mahabir S, Chatterjee D, Gerlai R. Lasting alterations induced in glial cell phenotypes by short exposure to alcohol during embryonic development in zebrafish. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12867. [PMID: 31919968 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite the known teratogenic effects of alcohol (ethanol) on the developing human fetus, the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is not decreasing. Appropriate treatment for this life-long disease has not been developed, and even diagnostic biomarkers are unavailable. FASD remains a large unmet medical need. Numerous animal models have been developed to mimic FASD and study potential underlying biological mechanisms. However, most of these models focused on neuronal phenotypes. Given that glial cells represent the majority of cells in the vertebrate brain, and given the increasingly appreciated roles they play in a myriad of neuronal functions as well as CNS disorders, we decided to investigate potential embryonic alcohol exposure induced changes in them. Building upon a previously introduced zebrafish model of milder and most prevalent forms of FASD, we investigated the effect of a 2-hour-long exposure to alcohol (1% vol/vol bath concentration) employed at the 24th hour postfertilization stage of development of zebrafish on a number of glial cell-related phenotypes. We studied oligodendrocyte, astrocyte as well as microglia-related phenotypes using immunohistochemistry, lipid, and enzyme activity analyses. We report significant changes in wide-spread glial cell phenotypes induced by embryonic alcohol exposure in the zebrafish brain and conclude that the zebrafish will advance our understanding of the mechanisms of this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha Mahabir
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology University of Toronto Toronto Canada
| | - Diptendu Chatterjee
- Department of Psychology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology University of Toronto Toronto Canada
- Department of Psychology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Canada
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14
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Collier AD, Khalizova N, Chang GQ, Min S, Campbell S, Gulati G, Leibowitz SF. Involvement of Cxcl12a/Cxcr4b Chemokine System in Mediating the Stimulatory Effect of Embryonic Ethanol Exposure on Neuronal Density in Zebrafish Hypothalamus. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:2519-2535. [PMID: 33067812 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Embryonic exposure to ethanol (EtOH) produces marked disturbances in neuronal development and alcohol-related behaviors, with low-moderate EtOH doses stimulating neurogenesis without producing apoptosis and high doses having major cytotoxic effects while causing gross morphological abnormalities. With the pro-inflammatory chemokine system, Cxcl12, and its main receptor Cxcr4, known to promote processes of neurogenesis, we examined here this neuroimmune system in the embryonic hypothalamus to test directly if it mediates the stimulatory effects low-moderate EtOH doses have on neuronal development. METHODS We used the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model, which develops externally and allows one to investigate the developing brain in vivo with precise control of dose and timing of EtOH delivery in the absence of maternal influence. Zebrafish were exposed to low-moderate EtOH doses (0.1, 0.25, 0.5% v/v), specifically during a period of peak hypothalamic development from 22 to 24 hours postfertilization, and in some tests were pretreated from 2 to 22 hpf with the Cxcr4 receptor antagonist, AMD3100. Measurements in the hypothalamus at 26 hpf were taken of cxcl12a and cxcr4b transcription, signaling, and neuronal density using qRT-PCR, RNAscope, and live imaging of transgenic zebrafish. RESULTS Embryonic EtOH exposure, particularly at the 0.5% dose, significantly increased levels of cxcl12a and cxcr4b mRNA in whole embryos, number of cxcl12a and cxcr4b transcripts in developing hypothalamus, and internalization of Cxcr4b receptors in hypothalamic cells. Embryonic EtOH also caused an increase in the number of hypothalamic neurons and coexpression of cxcl12a and cxcr4b transcripts within these neurons. Each of these stimulatory effects of EtOH in the embryo was blocked by pretreatment with the Cxcr4 antagonist AMD3100. CONCLUSIONS These results provide clear evidence that EtOH's stimulatory effects at low-moderate doses on the number of hypothalamic neurons early in development are mediated, in part, by increased transcription and intracellular activation of this chemokine system, likely due to autocrine signaling of Cxcl12a at its Cxcr4b receptor within the neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Collier
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Nailya Khalizova
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Guo-Qing Chang
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Soe Min
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Samantha Campbell
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Gazal Gulati
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Sarah F Leibowitz
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
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15
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Yuan F, Yun Y, Fan H, Li Y, Lu L, Liu J, Feng W, Chen SY. MicroRNA-135a Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Apoptosis in Neural Crest Cells and Craniofacial Defects in Zebrafish by Modulating the Siah1/p38/p53 Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:583959. [PMID: 33134300 PMCID: PMC7561719 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.583959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in various biological processes, including apoptosis, by regulating gene expression. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that ethanol-induced downregulation of miR-135a contributes to ethanol-induced apoptosis in neural crest cells (NCCs) by upregulating Siah1 and activating the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p53 pathway. We found that treatment with ethanol resulted in a significant decrease in miR-135a expression in both NCCs and zebrafish embryos. Ethanol-induced downregulation of miR-135a resulted in the upregulation of Siah1 and the activation of the p38 MAPK/p53 pathway and increased apoptosis in NCCs and zebrafish embryos. Ethanol exposure also resulted in growth retardation and developmental defects that are characteristic of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in zebrafish. Overexpression of miRNA-135a significantly reduced ethanol-induced upregulation of Siah1 and the activation of the p38 MAPK/p53 pathway and decreased ethanol-induced apoptosis in NCCs and zebrafish embryos. In addition, ethanol-induced growth retardation and craniofacial defects in zebrafish larvae were dramatically diminished by the microinjection of miRNA-135a mimics. These results demonstrated that ethanol-induced downregulation of miR-135a contributes to ethanol-induced apoptosis in NCCs by upregulating Siah1 and activating the p38 MAPK/p53 pathway and that the overexpression of miRNA-135a can protect against ethanol-induced apoptosis in NCCs and craniofacial defects in a zebrafish model of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Yang Yun
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Huadong Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Yihong Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Lanhai Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Wenke Feng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Shao-Yu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, United States.,University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY, United States
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16
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Everson JL, Batchu R, Eberhart JK. Multifactorial Genetic and Environmental Hedgehog Pathway Disruption Sensitizes Embryos to Alcohol-Induced Craniofacial Defects. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1988-1996. [PMID: 32767777 PMCID: PMC7692922 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is perhaps the most common environmental cause of human birth defects. These exposures cause a range of structural and neurological defects, including facial dysmorphologies, collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). While PAE causes FASD, phenotypic outcomes vary widely. It is thought that multifactorial genetic and environmental interactions modify the effects of PAE. However, little is known of the nature of these modifiers. Disruption of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been suggested as a modifier of ethanol teratogenicity. In addition to regulating the morphogenesis of craniofacial tissues commonly disrupted in FASD, a core member of the Hh pathway, Smoothened, is susceptible to modulation by structurally diverse chemicals. These include environmentally prevalent teratogens like piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a synergist found in thousands of pesticide formulations. METHODS Here, we characterize multifactorial genetic and environmental interactions using a zebrafish model of craniofacial development. RESULTS We show that loss of a single allele of shha sensitized embryos to both alcohol- and PBO-induced facial defects. Co-exposure of PBO and alcohol synergized to cause more frequent and severe defects. The effects of this co-exposure were even more profound in the genetically susceptible shha heterozygotes. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings shed light on the multifactorial basis of alcohol-induced craniofacial defects. In addition to further implicating genetic disruption of the Hh pathway in alcohol teratogenicity, our findings suggest that co-exposure to environmental chemicals that perturb Hh signaling may be important variables in FASD and related craniofacial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L. Everson
- From the Department of Molecular BiosciencesSchool of Natural SciencesUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction ResearchSchool of PharmacyUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
| | - Rithik Batchu
- From the Department of Molecular BiosciencesSchool of Natural SciencesUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
| | - Johann K. Eberhart
- From the Department of Molecular BiosciencesSchool of Natural SciencesUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction ResearchSchool of PharmacyUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
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17
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Gomez DA, May PA, Tabachnick BG, Hasken JM, Lyden ER, Kalberg WO, Hoyme HE, Manning MA, Adam MP, Robinson LK, Jones KL, Buckley D, Abdul-Rahman OA. Ocular measurements in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 182:2243-2252. [PMID: 32677343 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) describe a range of physical, behavioral, and neurologic deficits in individuals exposed to alcohol prenatally. Reduced palpebral fissure length is one of the cardinal facial features of FASD. However, other ocular measurements have not been studied extensively in FASD. Using the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Epidemiologic Research (FASER) database, we investigated how inner canthal distance (ICD), interpupillary distance (IPD), and outer canthal distance (OCD) centiles differed between FASD and non-FASD individuals. We compared ocular measurement centiles in children with FASD to non-FASD individuals and observed reductions in all three centiles for ICD, IPD, and OCD. However, when our non-FASD children who had various forms of growth deficiency (microcephaly, short-stature, or underweight) were compared to controls, we did not observe a similar reduction in ocular measurements. This suggests that reductions in ocular measurements are a direct effect of alcohol on ocular development independent of its effect on growth parameters, which is consistent with animal models showing a negative effect of alcohol on developing neural crest cells. Interpupillary distance centile appeared to be the most significantly reduced ocular measure we evaluated, suggesting it may be a useful measure to be considered in the diagnosis of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A Gomez
- College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Philip A May
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, & Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Barbara G Tabachnick
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Northridge, California, USA
| | - Julie M Hasken
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Lyden
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Wendy O Kalberg
- Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, & Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - H Eugene Hoyme
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Sanford Children's Genomic Medicine Consortium, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Melanie A Manning
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Margaret P Adam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Luther K Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Kenneth Lyons Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - David Buckley
- Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, & Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Omar A Abdul-Rahman
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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18
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Shrestha R, Lieberth J, Tillman S, Natalizio J, Bloomekatz J. Using Zebrafish to Analyze the Genetic and Environmental Etiologies of Congenital Heart Defects. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1236:189-223. [PMID: 32304074 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-2389-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most common human birth defects. However, the etiology of a large proportion of CHDs remains undefined. Studies identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cardiac development have been critical to elucidating the origin of CHDs. Building upon this knowledge to understand the pathogenesis of CHDs requires examining how genetic or environmental stress changes normal cardiac development. Due to strong molecular conservation to humans and unique technical advantages, studies using zebrafish have elucidated both fundamental principles of cardiac development and have been used to create cardiac disease models. In this chapter we examine the unique toolset available to zebrafish researchers and how those tools are used to interrogate the genetic and environmental contributions to CHDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabina Shrestha
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Jaret Lieberth
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Savanna Tillman
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Joseph Natalizio
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
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19
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Lovely CB. Quantification of Ethanol Levels in Zebrafish Embryos Using Head Space Gas Chromatography. J Vis Exp 2020. [PMID: 32116298 DOI: 10.3791/60766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describe a highly variable continuum of ethanol-induced developmental defects, including facial dysmorphologies and neurological impairments. With a complex pathology, FASD affects approximately 1 in 100 children born in the United States each year. Due to the highly variable nature of FASD, animal models have proven critical in our current mechanistic understanding of ethanol-induced development defects. An increasing number of laboratories has focused on using zebrafish to examine ethanol-induced developmental defects. Zebrafish produce large numbers of externally fertilized, genetically tractable, translucent embryos. This allows researchers to precisely control timing and dosage of ethanol exposure in multiple genetic contexts and quantify the impact of embryonic ethanol exposure through live imaging techniques. This, combined with the high degree of conservation of both genetics and development with humans, has proven zebrafish to be a powerful model in which to study the mechanistic basis of ethanol teratogenicity. However, ethanol exposure regimens have varied between different zebrafish studies, which has confounded the interpretation of zebrafish data across these studies. Here is a protocol to quantify ethanol concentrations in zebrafish embryos using head space gas chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ben Lovely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville;
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20
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Cinel SD, Taylor SJ. Prolonged Bat Call Exposure Induces a Broad Transcriptional Response in the Male Fall Armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Brain. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:36. [PMID: 30863292 PMCID: PMC6399161 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Predation risk induces broad behavioral and physiological responses that have traditionally been considered acute and transitory. However, prolonged or frequent exposure to predators and the sensory cues of their presence they broadcast to the environment impact long-term prey physiology and demographics. Though several studies have assessed acute and chronic stress responses in varied taxa, these attempts have often involved a priori expectations of the molecular pathways involved in physiological responses, such as glucocorticoid pathways and neurohormone production in vertebrates. While relatively little is known about physiological and molecular predator-induced stress in insects, many dramatic insect defensive behaviors have evolved to combat selection by predators. For instance, several moth families, such as Noctuidae, include members equipped with tympanic organs that allow the perception of ultrasonic bat calls and facilitate predation avoidance by eliciting evasive aerial flight maneuvers. In this study, we exposed adult male fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) moths to recorded ultrasonic bat foraging and attack calls for a prolonged period and constructed a de novo transcriptome based on brain tissue from predator cue-exposed relative to control moths kept in silence. Differential expression analysis revealed that 290 transcripts were highly up- or down-regulated among treatment tissues, with many annotating to noteworthy proteins, including a heat shock protein and an antioxidant enzyme involved in cellular stress. Though nearly 50% of differentially expressed transcripts were unannotated, those that were are implied in a broad range of cellular functions within the insect brain, including neurotransmitter metabolism, ionotropic receptor expression, mitochondrial metabolism, heat shock protein activity, antioxidant enzyme activity, actin cytoskeleton dynamics, chromatin binding, methylation, axonal guidance, cilia development, and several signaling pathways. The five most significantly overrepresented Gene Ontology terms included chromatin binding, macromolecular complex binding, glutamate synthase activity, glutamate metabolic process, and glutamate biosynthetic process. As a first assessment of transcriptional responses to ecologically relevant auditory predator cues in the brain of moth prey, this study lays the foundation for examining the influence of these differentially expressed transcripts on insect behavior, physiology, and life history within the framework of predation risk, as observed in ultrasound-sensitive Lepidoptera and other 'eared' insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D Cinel
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States.,Insect Evolution, Behavior, and Genomics Lab, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Steven J Taylor
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States.,Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
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21
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Abstract
Toxic chemicals, either from natural sources or man-made, are ubiquitous in our environment. Many of the synthetic chemicals make life more comfortable and therefore production continues to grow. Simultaneously with the increase in production, an increase in neurodevelopmental disorders has been observed. Some chemicals are not biodegradable or have a very long half-life time and, despite the fact that production of a number of those chemicals has been severely reduced, they are still ubiquitous in the environment. Fetal exposure to toxic chemicals is dependent on maternal exposure to those chemicals and the developing stage of the fetus. Human evidence from epidemiologic studies is described with regard to the effect of prenatal exposure to various groups of neurotoxicants (alcohol, particulate fine matter, metals, and endocrine disrupting chemicals) on neurobehavior development. Data indicate that prenatal exposure to alcohol, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, methylmercury (MeHg), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and polychlorinated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) impair cognitive development, whereas exposure to alcohol, MeHg, organochlorine pesticides and OPPs, polychlorinated biphenyls, PBDEs, and bisphenol A increases the risk of developing either attention deficit/hyperactivity and/or autism spectrum disorders. Psychomotor development appears to be less affected. However, data are not conclusive, which may depend on the assessment of exposure and the exposure level, among other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot van de Bor
- Department of Environment and Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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22
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Bolnick AD, Bolnick JM, Kohan-Ghadr HR, Kilburn BA, Hertz M, Dai J, Drewlo S, Armant DR. Nifedipine Prevents Apoptosis of Alcohol-Exposed First-Trimester Trophoblast Cells. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 42:53-60. [PMID: 29048755 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal alcohol abuse leading to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) includes fetal growth restriction (FGR). Ethanol (EtOH) induces apoptosis of human placental trophoblast cells, possibly disrupting placentation and contributing to FGR in FASD. EtOH facilitates apoptosis in several embryonic tissues, including human trophoblasts, by raising intracellular Ca2+ . We previously found that acute EtOH exposure increases trophoblast apoptosis due to signaling from both intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ . Therefore, nifedipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker that is commonly administered to treat preeclampsia and preterm labor, was evaluated for cytoprotective properties in trophoblast cells exposed to alcohol. METHODS Human first-trimester chorionic villous explants and the human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo (HTR) were pretreated with 12.5 to 50 nM of the Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine for 1 hour before exposure to 50 mM EtOH for an additional hour. Intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were monitored in real time by epifluorescence microscopy, using fluo-4-AM. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), accumulation of cytoplasmic cytochrome c, and cleavage rates of caspase 3 and caspase 9. RESULTS The increase in intracellular Ca2+ upon exposure to EtOH in both villous explants and HTR cells was completely blocked (p < 0.05) when pretreated with nifedipine, accompanied by inhibition of EtOH-induced release of cytochrome c, caspase activities, and TUNEL. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that nifedipine can interrupt the apoptotic pathway downstream of EtOH exposure and could provide a novel strategy for future interventions in women with fetuses at risk for FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan D Bolnick
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jay M Bolnick
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Hamid-Reza Kohan-Ghadr
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Brian A Kilburn
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Michael Hertz
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jing Dai
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sascha Drewlo
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - D Randall Armant
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Anatomy& Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
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23
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Fernandes Y, Buckley DM, Eberhart JK. Diving into the world of alcohol teratogenesis: a review of zebrafish models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 96:88-97. [PMID: 28817785 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2017-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to the entire suite of deleterious outcomes resulting from embryonic exposure to alcohol. Along with other reviews in this special issue, we provide insight into how animal models, specifically the zebrafish, have informed our understanding of FASD. We first provide a brief introduction to FASD. We discuss the zebrafish as a model organism and its strengths for alcohol research. We detail how zebrafish has been used to model some of the major defects present in FASD. These include behavioral defects, such as social behavior as well as learning and memory, and structural defects, disrupting organs such as the brain, sensory organs, heart, and craniofacial skeleton. We provide insights into how zebrafish research has aided in our understanding of the mechanisms of ethanol teratogenesis. We end by providing some relatively recent advances that zebrafish has provided in characterizing gene-ethanol interactions that may underlie FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohaan Fernandes
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA.,Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
| | - Desire M Buckley
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA.,Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA.,Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
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Berres ME, Garic A, Flentke GR, Smith SM. Transcriptome Profiling Identifies Ribosome Biogenesis as a Target of Alcohol Teratogenicity and Vulnerability during Early Embryogenesis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169351. [PMID: 28046103 PMCID: PMC5207668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability. Individuals with FASD may exhibit a characteristic facial appearance that has diagnostic utility. The mechanism by which alcohol disrupts craniofacial development is incompletely understood, as are the genetic factors that can modify individual alcohol vulnerability. Using an established avian model, we characterized the cranial transcriptome in response to alcohol to inform the mechanism underlying these cells’ vulnerability. Gallus gallus embryos having 3–6 somites were exposed to 52 mM alcohol and the cranial transcriptomes were sequenced thereafter. A total of 3422 genes had significantly differential expression. The KEGG pathways with the greatest enrichment of differentially expressed gene clusters were Ribosome (P = 1.2 x 10−17, 67 genes), Oxidative Phosphorylation (P = 4.8 x 10−12, 60 genes), RNA Polymerase (P = 2.2 x 10−3, 15 genes) and Spliceosome (P = 2.6 x 10−2, 39 genes). The preponderance of transcripts in these pathways were repressed in response to alcohol. These same gene clusters also had the greatest altered representation in our previous comparison of neural crest populations having differential vulnerability to alcohol-induced apoptosis. Comparison of differentially expressed genes in alcohol-exposed (3422) and untreated, alcohol-vulnerable (1201) transcriptomes identified 525 overlapping genes of which 257 have the same direction of transcriptional change. These included 36 ribosomal, 25 oxidative phosphorylation and 7 spliceosome genes. Using a functional approach in zebrafish, partial knockdown of ribosomal proteins zrpl11, zrpl5a, and zrps3a individually heightened vulnerability to alcohol-induced craniofacial deficits and increased apoptosis. In humans, haploinsufficiency of several of the identified ribosomal proteins are causative in craniofacial dysmorphologies such as Treacher Collins Syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan Anemia. This work suggests ribosome biogenesis may be a novel target mediating alcohol’s damage to developing neural crest. Our findings are consistent with observations that gene-environment interactions contribute to vulnerability in FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Berres
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ana Garic
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - George R. Flentke
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Susan M. Smith
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
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25
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Baggio S, Mussulini BH, de Oliveira DL, Zenki KC, Santos da Silva E, Rico EP. Embryonic alcohol exposure promotes long-term effects on cerebral glutamate transport of adult zebrafish. Neurosci Lett 2016; 636:265-269. [PMID: 27838452 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol is a widely consumed substance throughout the world. During development it can substantially damage the human fetus, whereas the developing brain is particularly vulnerable. The brain damage induced by prenatal alcohol exposure may lead to a variety of long-lasting behavioral and neurochemical problems. However, there are no data concerning the effects of developmental ethanol exposure on the glutamatergic system, where extracellular glutamate acts as signaling molecule. Here we investigated the effect of ethanol exposure for 2h (concentrations of 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.00%) in embryos at 24h post-fertilization (hpf) by measuring the functionality of glutamate transporters in the brain of adult (4 months) zebrafish. However, ethanol 0.1%, 0.25% and 0.50% decreased transport of glutamate to 81.96%, 60.65% and 45.91% respectively, when compared with the control group. Interestingly, 1.00% was able to inhibit the transport activity to 68.85%. In response to the embryonic alcohol exposure, we found impairment in the function of cerebral glutamate transport in adult fish, contributing to long-term alteration in the homeostasis glutamatergic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suelen Baggio
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2600-Anexo, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ben Hur Mussulini
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2600-Anexo, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Diogo Losch de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2600-Anexo, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Kamila Cagliari Zenki
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2600-Anexo, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Emerson Santos da Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2600-Anexo, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Pacheco Rico
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC, Av. Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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26
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Lovely CB, Fernandes Y, Eberhart JK. Fishing for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Zebrafish as a Model for Ethanol Teratogenesis. Zebrafish 2016; 13:391-8. [PMID: 27186793 PMCID: PMC5035362 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describes a wide array of ethanol-induced developmental defects, including craniofacial dysmorphology and cognitive impairments. It affects ∼1 in 100 children born in the United States each year. Due to the pleiotropic effects of ethanol, animal models have proven critical in characterizing the mechanisms of ethanol teratogenesis. In this review, we focus on the utility of zebrafish in characterizing ethanol-induced developmental defects. A growing number of laboratories have focused on using zebrafish to examine ethanol-induced defects in craniofacial, cardiac, ocular, and neural development, as well as cognitive and behavioral impairments. Growing evidence supports that genetic predisposition plays a role in these ethanol-induced defects, yet little is understood about these gene-ethanol interactions. With a high degree of genetic amenability, zebrafish is at the forefront of identifying and characterizing the gene-ethanol interactions that underlie FASD. Because of the conservation of gene function between zebrafish and humans, these studies will directly translate to studies of candidate genes in human populations and allow for better diagnosis and treatment of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yohaan Fernandes
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
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27
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Kiecker C. The chick embryo as a model for the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol on craniofacial development. Dev Biol 2016; 415:314-325. [PMID: 26777098 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to ethanol results in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a syndrome characterised by a broad range of clinical manifestations including craniofacial dysmorphologies and neurological defects. The characterisation of the mechanisms by which ethanol exerts its teratogenic effects is difficult due to the pleiotropic nature of its actions. Different experimental model systems have been employed to investigate the aetiology of FASD. Here, I will review studies using these different model organisms that have helped to elucidate how ethanol causes the craniofacial abnormalities characteristic of FASD. In these studies, ethanol was found to impair the prechordal plate-an important embryonic signalling centre-during gastrulation and to negatively affect the induction, migration and survival of the neural crest, a cell population that generates the cartilage and most of the bones of the skull. At the cellular level, ethanol appears to inhibit Sonic hedgehog signalling, alter levels of retionoic acid activity, trigger a Ca(2+)-CamKII-dependent pathway that antagonises WNT signalling, affect cytoskeletal dynamics and increase oxidative stress. Embryos of the domestic chick Gallus gallus domesticus have played a central role in developing a working model for the effects of ethanol on craniofacial development because they are easily accessible and because key steps in craniofacial development are particularly well established in the avian embryo. I will finish this review by highlighting some potential future avenues of fetal alcohol research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Kiecker
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, 4th Floor, Hodgkin Building, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, UK.
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28
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Lovely CB, Eberhart JK. Commentary: catching a conserved mechanism of ethanol teratogenicity. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2015; 38:2160-3. [PMID: 25156611 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to its profound impact on human development, ethanol (EtOH) teratogenicity is a field of intense study. The complexity of variables that influence the outcomes of embryonic or prenatal EtOH exposure compels the use of animal models in which these variables can be isolated. METHODS Numerous model systems have been used in these studies. The zebrafish is a powerful model system, which has seen a recent increase in usage for EtOH studies. RESULTS Those using zebrafish for alcohol studies often face 2 questions: (i) How physiologically relevant are the doses of EtOH administered to zebrafish embryos? and (ii) Will the mechanisms of EtOH teratogenesis be conserved to other model systems and human? CONCLUSIONS The current article by Flentke and colleagues () helps to shed important light on these questions and clearly demonstrates that the zebrafish will be a valuable model system with which to understand EtOH teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ben Lovely
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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29
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Bailey JM, Oliveri AN, Zhang C, Frazier JM, Mackinnon S, Cole GJ, Levin ED. Long-term behavioral impairment following acute embryonic ethanol exposure in zebrafish. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2015; 48:1-8. [PMID: 25599606 PMCID: PMC4363207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developmental exposure to ethanol has long been known to cause persisting neurobehavioral impairment. However, the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying these deficits and the importance of exposure timing are not well-characterized. Given the importance of timing and sequence in neurodevelopment it would be expected that alcohol intoxication at different developmental periods would result in distinct neurobehavioral consequences. METHODS Zebrafish embryos were exposed to ethanol (0%, 1%, 3%) at either 8-10 or 24-27 h post-fertilization (hpf) then reared to adolescence and evaluated on several behavioral endpoints. Habituation to a repeated environmental stimulus and overall sensorimotor function were assessed using a tap startle test; measurements of anxiety and exploration behavior were made following introduction to a novel tank; and spatial discrimination learning was assessed using aversive control in a three-chambered apparatus. Overt signs of dysmorphogenesis were also scored (i.e. craniofacial malformations, including eye diameter and midbrain-hindbrain boundary morphology). RESULTS Ethanol treated fish were more active both at baseline and following a tap stimulus compared to the control fish and were hyperactive when placed in a novel tank. These effects were more prominent following exposure at 24-27 hpf than with the earlier exposure window, for both dose groups. Increases in physical malformation were only present in the 3% ethanol group; all malformed fish were excluded from behavioral testing. DISCUSSION These results suggest specific domains of behavior are affected following ethanol exposure, with some but not all of the tests revealing significant impairment. The behavioral phenotypes following distinct exposure windows described here can be used to help link cellular and molecular mechanisms of developmental ethanol exposure to functional neurobehavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Bailey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - A N Oliveri
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - C Zhang
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - J M Frazier
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - S Mackinnon
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - G J Cole
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - E D Levin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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30
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Joya X, Garcia-Algar O, Vall O, Pujades C. Transient exposure to ethanol during zebrafish embryogenesis results in defects in neuronal differentiation: an alternative model system to study FASD. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112851. [PMID: 25383948 PMCID: PMC4226617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The exposure of the human embryo to ethanol results in a spectrum of disorders involving multiple organ systems, including the impairment of the development of the central nervous system (CNS). In spite of the importance for human health, the molecular basis of prenatal ethanol exposure remains poorly understood, mainly to the difficulty of sample collection. Zebrafish is now emerging as a powerful organism for the modeling and the study of human diseases. In this work, we have assessed the sensitivity of specific subsets of neurons to ethanol exposure during embryogenesis and we have visualized the sensitive embryonic developmental periods for specific neuronal groups by the use of different transgenic zebrafish lines. Methodology/Principal Findings In order to evaluate the teratogenic effects of acute ethanol exposure, we exposed zebrafish embryos to ethanol in a given time window and analyzed the effects in neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation and brain patterning. Zebrafish larvae exposed to ethanol displayed small eyes and/or a reduction of the body length, phenotypical features similar to the observed in children with prenatal exposure to ethanol. When neuronal populations were analyzed, we observed a clear reduction in the number of differentiated neurons in the spinal cord upon ethanol exposure. There was a decrease in the population of sensory neurons mainly due to a decrease in cell proliferation and subsequent apoptosis during neuronal differentiation, with no effect in motoneuron specification. Conclusion Our investigation highlights that transient exposure to ethanol during early embryonic development affects neuronal differentiation although does not result in defects in early neurogenesis. These results establish the use of zebrafish embryos as an alternative research model to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) of ethanol-induced developmental toxicity at very early stages of embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Joya
- Unitat de Recerca Infància i Entorn (URIE), Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Salud Materno-Infantil y del Desarrollo (SAMID), Programa RETICS, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Garcia-Algar
- Unitat de Recerca Infància i Entorn (URIE), Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Salud Materno-Infantil y del Desarrollo (SAMID), Programa RETICS, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Pediatria, Ginecologia i Obstetricia i de Medicina Preventiva, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Oriol Vall
- Unitat de Recerca Infància i Entorn (URIE), Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Salud Materno-Infantil y del Desarrollo (SAMID), Programa RETICS, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Pediatria, Ginecologia i Obstetricia i de Medicina Preventiva, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Cristina Pujades
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Parc de Recerca Biomedica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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31
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Smith SM, Garic A, Flentke GR, Berres ME. Neural crest development in fetal alcohol syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 102:210-20. [PMID: 25219761 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability. Some affected individuals possess distinctive craniofacial deficits, but many more lack overt facial changes. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying these deficits would inform their diagnostic utility. Our understanding of these mechanisms is challenged because ethanol lacks a single receptor when redirecting cellular activity. This review summarizes our current understanding of how ethanol alters neural crest development. Ample evidence shows that ethanol causes the "classic" fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) face (short palpebral fissures, elongated upper lip, deficient philtrum) because it suppresses prechordal plate outgrowth, thereby reducing neuroectoderm and neural crest induction and causing holoprosencephaly. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) at premigratory stages elicits a different facial appearance, indicating FASD may represent a spectrum of facial outcomes. PAE at this premigratory period initiates a calcium transient that activates CaMKII and destabilizes transcriptionally active β-catenin, thereby initiating apoptosis within neural crest populations. Contributing to neural crest vulnerability are their low antioxidant responses. Ethanol-treated neural crest produce reactive oxygen species and free radical scavengers attenuate their production and prevent apoptosis. Ethanol also significantly impairs neural crest migration, causing cytoskeletal rearrangements that destabilize focal adhesion formation; their directional migratory capacity is also lost. Genetic factors further modify vulnerability to ethanol-induced craniofacial dysmorphology and include genes important for neural crest development, including shh signaling, PDFGA, vangl2, and ribosomal biogenesis. Because facial and brain development are mechanistically and functionally linked, research into ethanol's effects on neural crest also informs our understanding of ethanol's CNS pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Smith
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706
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Zebrafish as a Model for Developmental Neurotoxicity Assessment: The Application of the Zebrafish in Defining the Effects of Arsenic, Methylmercury, or Lead on Early Neurodevelopment. TOXICS 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/toxics2030464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describes a wide range of phenotypic defects affecting facial and neurological development associated with ethanol teratogenicity. It affects approximately 1 in 100 children born in the United States each year. Genetic predisposition along with timing and dosage of ethanol exposure are critical in understanding the prevalence and variability of FASD. The zebrafish attributes of external fertilization, genetic tractability, and high fecundity make it a powerful tool for FASD studies. However, a lack of consensus of ethanol treatment paradigms has limited the interpretation of these various studies. Here we address this concern by examining ethanol tissue concentrations across timing and genetic background. We utilize headspace gas chromatography to determine ethanol concentration in the AB, fli1:EGFP, and Tu backgrounds. In addition, we treated these embryos with ethanol over two different developmental time windows, 6-24 h post fertilization (hpf) and 24-48 hpf. Our analysis demonstrates that embryos rapidly equilibrate to a sub-media level of ethanol. Embryos then maintain this level of ethanol for the duration of exposure. The ethanol tissue concentration level is independent of genetic background, but is timing-dependent. Embryos exposed from 6 to 24 hpf were 2.7-4.2-fold lower than media levels, while embryos were 5.7-6.2-fold lower at 48 hpf. This suggests that embryos strengthen one or more barriers to ethanol as they develop. In addition, both the embryo and, to a lesser extent, the chorion, surrounding the embryo are barriers to ethanol. Overall, this work will help tighten ethanol treatment regimens and strengthen zebrafish as a model of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ben Lovely
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA.
| | - Regina D Nobles
- Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, USA
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Karunamuni GH, Ma P, Gu S, Rollins AM, Jenkins MW, Watanabe M. Connecting teratogen-induced congenital heart defects to neural crest cells and their effect on cardiac function. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART C, EMBRYO TODAY : REVIEWS 2014; 102:227-50. [PMID: 25220155 PMCID: PMC4238913 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neural crest cells play many key roles in embryonic development, as demonstrated by the abnormalities that result from their specific absence or dysfunction. Unfortunately, these key cells are particularly sensitive to abnormalities in various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as genetic deletions or ethanol-exposure that lead to morbidity and mortality for organisms. This review discusses the role identified for a segment of neural crest in regulating the morphogenesis of the heart and associated great vessels. The paradox is that their derivatives constitute a small proportion of cells to the cardiovascular system. Findings supporting that these cells impact early cardiac function raises the interesting possibility that they indirectly control cardiovascular development at least partially through regulating function. Making connections between insults to the neural crest, cardiac function, and morphogenesis is more approachable with technological advances. Expanding our understanding of early functional consequences could be useful in improving diagnosis and testing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga H. Karunamuni
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Case Medical Center Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland OH 44106
| | - Pei Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, Cleveland OH 44106
| | - Shi Gu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, Cleveland OH 44106
| | - Andrew M. Rollins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, Cleveland OH 44106
| | - Michael W. Jenkins
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Case Medical Center Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland OH 44106
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, Cleveland OH 44106
| | - Michiko Watanabe
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Case Medical Center Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland OH 44106
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35
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Smith SM, Garic A, Berres ME, Flentke GR. Genomic factors that shape craniofacial outcome and neural crest vulnerability in FASD. Front Genet 2014; 5:224. [PMID: 25147554 PMCID: PMC4124534 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes distinctive facial characteristics in some pregnancies and not others; genetic factors may contribute to this differential vulnerability. Ethanol disrupts multiple events of neural crest development, including induction, survival, migration, and differentiation. Animal models and genomic approaches have substantially advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these facial changes. PAE during gastrulation produces craniofacial changes corresponding with human fetal alcohol syndrome. These result because PAE reduces prechordal plate extension and suppresses sonic hedgehog, leading to holoprosencephaly and malpositioned facial primordia. Haploinsufficiency in sonic hedgehog signaling increases vulnerability to facial deficits and may influence some PAE pregnancies. In contrast, PAE during early neurogenesis produces facial hypoplasia, preceded by neural crest reductions due to significant apoptosis. Factors mediating this apoptosis include intracellular calcium mobilization, elevated reactive oxygen species, and loss of trophic support from β-catenin/calcium, sonic hedgehog, and mTOR signaling. Genome-wide SNP analysis links PDGFRA with facial outcomes in human PAE. Multiple genomic-level comparisons of ethanol-sensitive and – resistant early embryos, in both mouse and chick, independently identify common candidate genes that may potentially modify craniofacial vulnerability, including ribosomal proteins, proteosome, RNA splicing, and focal adhesion. In summary, research using animal models with genome-level differences in ethanol vulnerability, as well as targeted loss-and gain-of-function mutants, has clarified the mechanisms mediating craniofacial change in PAE. The findings additionally suggest that craniofacial deficits may represent a gene–ethanol interaction for some affected individuals. Genetic-level changes may prime individuals toward greater sensitivity or resistance to ethanol’s neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Smith
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ana Garic
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mark E Berres
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
| | - George R Flentke
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
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36
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Garic A, Berres ME, Smith SM. High-throughput transcriptome sequencing identifies candidate genetic modifiers of vulnerability to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:1874-82. [PMID: 24962712 PMCID: PMC4149215 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability. Genetic factors can modify vulnerability to FASD, but these elements are poorly characterized. METHODS We performed high-throughput transcriptional profiling to identify gene candidates that could potentially modify vulnerability to ethanol's (EtOH's) neurotoxicity. We interrogated a unique genetic resource, neuroprogenitor cells from 2 closely related Gallus gallus lines having well-characterized robust or attenuated EtOH responses with respect to intracellular calcium mobilization and CaMKII/β-catenin-dependent apoptosis. Samples were not exposed to EtOH prior to analysis. RESULTS We identified 363 differentially expressed genes in neuroprogenitors from these 2 lines. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed several gene clusters having significantly differential enrichment in gene expression. The largest and most significant cluster comprised ribosomal proteins (38 genes, p = 1.85 × 10(-47) ). Other significantly enriched gene clusters included metabolism (25 genes, p = 0.0098), oxidative phosphorylation (18 genes, p = 1.10 × 10(-11) ), spliceosome (13 genes, p = 7.02 × 10(-8) ), and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (9 genes, p = 0.0011). Inspection of gene ontogeny (GO) terms identified 24 genes involved in the calcium/β-catenin signals that mediate EtOH's neurotoxicity in this model, including β-catenin itself and both calmodulin isoforms. CONCLUSIONS Four of the identified pathways with altered transcript abundance mediate the flow of cellular information from RNA to protein. Importantly, ribosome biogenesis also senses nucleolar stress and regulates p53-mediated apoptosis in neural crest. Human ribosomopathies produce craniofacial malformations and 11 known ribosomopathy genes were differentially expressed in this model of neural crest apoptosis. Rapid changes in ribosome expression are consistently observed in EtOH-treated mouse embryo neural folds, a model that is developmentally similar to ours. The recurring identification of ribosome biogenesis suggests it is a candidate modifier of EtOH vulnerability. These results highlight this approach's efficacy to formulate new, mechanistic hypotheses regarding EtOH's developmental damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark E. Berres
- Corresponding author: Susan Smith, Ph.D., Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, Tel (608) 263-4316, Fax (608) 262-5860, Corresponding author mail id:
| | - Susan M. Smith
- Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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Zhang C, Frazier JM, Chen H, Liu Y, Lee JA, Cole GJ. Molecular and morphological changes in zebrafish following transient ethanol exposure during defined developmental stages. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2014; 44:70-80. [PMID: 24929233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is a teratogen that has diverse effects on brain and craniofacial development, leading to a constellation of developmental disorders referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The molecular basis of ethanol insult remains poorly understood, as does the relationship between molecular and behavioral changes as a consequence of prenatal ethanol exposure. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to a range of ethanol concentrations (0.5-5.0%) during defined developmental stages, and examined for morphological phenotypes characteristic of FASD. Embryos were also analyzed by in situ hybridization for changes in expression of defined cell markers for neural cell types that are sonic hedgehog-dependent. We show that transient binge-like ethanol exposures during defined developmental stages, such as early gastrulation and early neurulation, result in a range of phenotypes and changes in expression of Shh-dependent genes. The severity of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) morphological phenotypes, such as microphthalmia, depends on the embryonic stage and concentration of alcohol exposure, as does diminution of retinal Pax6a or forebrain and hindbrain GAD1 gene expression. We also show that changes in eye and brain morphology correlate with changes in Pax6a and GAD1 gene expression. Our results therefore show that transient binge-like ethanol exposures in zebrafish embryos produce the stereotypical morphological phenotypes of FAS, with the severity of phenotypes depending on the developmental stage and alcohol concentration of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjin Zhang
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States
| | - Jared M Frazier
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States; Department of Biology, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States
| | - Yao Liu
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States
| | - Ju-Ahng Lee
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States; Department of Biology, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States
| | - Gregory J Cole
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States; Department of Biology, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, United States.
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Bolnick JM, Karana R, Chiang PJ, Kilburn BA, Romero R, Diamond MP, Smith SM, Armant DR. Apoptosis of alcohol-exposed human placental cytotrophoblast cells is downstream of intracellular calcium signaling. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:1646-53. [PMID: 24889927 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apoptosis is induced by ethanol (EtOH) in human placental trophoblast cells, possibly disrupting placentation and contributing to intrauterine growth restriction in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). EtOH induces programmed cell death in several embryonic tissues by raising intracellular Ca(2+) . Therefore, the role of Ca(2+) signaling in EtOH-induced apoptosis was examined using human first trimester cytotrophoblast cell lines, examining the hypothesis that apoptosis is dependent on intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. METHODS Using HTR-8/SVneo and SW.71 cytotrophoblast cell lines, real-time intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was monitored by fluo-4 epifluorescence microscopy and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry of cells fluorescently labeled for DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) and annexin V binding. RESULTS Intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations increased synchronously in all cells within 10 seconds of exposure to 50 mM EtOH, but not at lower EtOH concentrations (10 to 25 mM) incapable of inducing apoptosis. Trophoblast cells treated with inhibitors of Ca(2+) signaling (BAPTA-AM, U73122, xestospongin D, BAPTA, SKF-96365) produced no intracellular Ca(2+) transients after exposure to 50 mM EtOH and were protected from cell death induced by EtOH. CONCLUSIONS EtOH-induced apoptosis in human cytotrophoblast cells, identified by DNA fragmentation and externalized phosphatidylserine, was dependent upon Ca(2+) signaling. Both intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and extracellular Ca(2+) influx were required, as well as phosphatidylinositol signaling. Inhibition by SKF-96365 suggests that the capacitative Ca(2+) entry mechanism that utilizes TRPC channels was activated by EtOH. Apoptosis occurs downstream of Ca(2+) signaling in trophoblasts and may contribute to placental insufficiency and poor fetal growth associated with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay M Bolnick
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Detroit, Michigan
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