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Ling W, Ren Z, Wang W, Lu D, Zhou Q, Liu Q, Jiang G. Chronic Ambient Ozone Exposure Aggravates Autism-Like Symptoms in a Susceptible Mouse Model. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14248-14259. [PMID: 37676697 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Although there is evidence that exposure to ground-level ozone (O3) may cause an increased risk of neurological disorders (e.g., autistic spectrum disorder), low-dose chronic ozone exposure and its adverse effects on the nervous system have not been fully understood. Here, we evaluated the potential neurotoxic effects of long-term exposure to environmentally relevant O3 concentration (200 μg/m3 via a whole-body inhalation system, 12 h/day for 5 days/week) using a susceptible mouse model of autism induced by valproic acid. Various indicators of oxidative stress, mitochondria, and synapse in the brain tissues were then measured to determine the overall damage of O3 to the mouse brain. The results showed an aggravated risk of autism in mice offspring, which was embodied in decreased antioxidant contents, disturbed energy generation in mitochondria, as well as reduced expressions of protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ) and synaptic proteins [e.g., Synapsin 1 (SYN 1), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95)]. Overall, our study indicates that prenatal exposure to environmentally relevant O3 may exacerbate the symptoms of autism, shedding light on possible molecular mechanisms and providing valuable insights into the pathogenesis of autism, especially concerning low-dose levels of those pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibo Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhihua Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Environment and Resource, Research Center of Environment and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Weichao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Dawei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Qunfang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Taishan Institute for Ecology and Environment (TIEE), Jinan 250100, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
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Guoynes CD, Marler CA. Acute intranasal oxytocin dose enhances social preference for parents over peers in male but not female peri-adolescent California mice (Peromyscus californicus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 335:114230. [PMID: 36781024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Peri-adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by profound changes in the valence of social interactions with parents and peers. We hypothesized that the oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) systems, known for influencing social behavior, would be involved in the maintenance and breaking of bonding behavior expressed by very early peri-adolescent males and females. In rodents, OXT is associated with mother-pup bonding and may promote social attachment to members of the natal territory. AVP, on the other hand, can act in contrasting ways to OXT and has been associated with aggression and territoriality. Specifically, we predicted that in peri-adolescent male and female juveniles of the biparental and territorial California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), a) OXT would increase the social preferences for the parents over unfamiliar age-matched peers (one male and one female), and b) AVP would break the parent-offspring bond and either increase time in the neutral chamber and/or approach to their unfamiliar and novel peers. We examined anxiety and exploratory behavior using an elevated plus maze and a novel object task as a control. Peri-adolescent mice were administered an acute intranasal (IN) treatment of 0.5 IU/kg IN AVP, 0.5 IU/kg IN OXT, or saline control; five minutes later, the behavioral tests were conducted. As predicted, we found that IN OXT enhanced social preference for parents; however, this was only in male and not female peri-adolescent mice. IN AVP did not influence social preference in either sex. These effects appear specific to social behavior and not anxiety, as neither IN OXT nor AVP influenced behavior during the elevated plus maze or novel object tasks. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence indicating that OXT may play a role in promoting peri-adolescent social preferences for parents and delaying weaning in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleigh D Guoynes
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Catherine A Marler
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Wei J, Zheng H, Li G, Chen Z, Fang G, Yan J. Involvement of oxytocin receptor deficiency in psychiatric disorders and behavioral abnormalities. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1164796. [PMID: 37153633 PMCID: PMC10159063 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1164796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin and its target receptor (oxytocin receptor, OXTR) exert important roles in the regulation of complex social behaviors and cognition. The oxytocin/OXTR system in the brain could activate and transduce several intracellular signaling pathways to affect neuronal functions or responses and then mediate physiological activities. The persistence and outcome of the oxytocin activity in the brain are closely linked to the regulation, state, and expression of OXTR. Increasing evidence has shown that genetic variations, epigenetic modification states, and the expression of OXTR have been implicated in psychiatric disorders characterized by social deficits, especially in autism. Among these variations and modifications, OXTR gene methylation and polymorphism have been found in many patients with psychiatric disorders and have been considered to be associated with those psychiatric disorders, behavioral abnormalities, and individual differences in response to social stimuli or others. Given the significance of these new findings, in this review, we focus on the progress of OXTR's functions, intrinsic mechanisms, and its correlations with psychiatric disorders or deficits in behaviors. We hope that this review can provide a deep insight into the study of OXTR-involved psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbao Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Ningde Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Ningde Normal University, Ningde, Fujian, China
| | - Huanrui Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Guokai Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zichun Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Ningde Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Ningde Normal University, Ningde, Fujian, China
| | - Gengjing Fang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-human Primate (Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujia, China
- Gengjing Fang
| | - Jianying Yan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Obstetrics, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Jianying Yan
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OXTR High stroma fibroblasts control the invasion pattern of oral squamous cell carcinoma via ERK5 signaling. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5124. [PMID: 36045118 PMCID: PMC9433374 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32787-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Pattern Of Invasion (POI) of tumor cells into adjacent normal tissues clinically predicts postoperative tumor metastasis/recurrence of early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but the mechanisms underlying the development of these subtypes remain unclear. Focusing on the highest score of POIs (Worst POI, WPOI) present within each tumor, we observe a disease progression-driven shift of WPOI towards the high-risk type 4/5, associated with a mesenchymal phenotype in advanced OSCC. WPOI 4-5-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFsWPOI4-5), characterized by high oxytocin receptor expression (OXTRHigh), contribute to local-regional metastasis. OXTRHigh CAFs induce a desmoplastic stroma and CCL26 is required for the invasive phenotype of CCR3+ tumors. Mechanistically, OXTR activates nuclear ERK5 transcription signaling via Gαq and CDC37 to maintain high levels of OXTR and CCL26. ERK5 ablation reprograms the pro-invasive phenotype of OXTRHigh CAFs. Therefore, targeting ERK5 signaling in OXTRHigh CAFs is a potential therapeutic strategy for OSCC patients with WPOI 4-5. Worst pattern of invasion (WPOI) is a parameter used to quantify tumor invasiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here the authors show that a fibroblast subset characterized by the expression of the oxytocin receptor is enriched in highly invasive WPOI 4-5 OSCC tumors and can be targeted to reduce the desmoplastic stroma and tumor metastasis.
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