Sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase Inhibitor, ameliorates SIRT2-induced memory impairment, reduction of cell proliferation, and neuroblast differentiation in the dentate gyrus

Oligodendrocyte-derived exosomes-containing SIRT2 ameliorates depressive-like behaviors and restores hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity via the AKT/GSK-3β pathway in depressed mice

AIMS

To investigate the antidepressant role of oligodendrocyte-derived exosomes (ODEXs)-containing sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) and the underlying mechanism both in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Oligodendrocyte-derived exosomes isolated from mouse serum were administered to mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression via the tail vein. The antidepressant effects of ODEXs were assessed through behavioral tests and quantification of alterations in hippocampal neuroplasticity. The role of SIRT2 was confirmed using the selective inhibitor AK-7. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) were used to further validate the impact of overexpressed SIRT2 and ODEXs on neurogenesis and synapse formation in vitro.

RESULTS

Oligodendrocyte-derived exosome treatment alleviated depressive-like behaviors and restored neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in CUMS mice. SIRT2 was enriched in ODEXs, and blocking SIRT2 with AK-7 reversed the antidepressant effects of ODEXs. SIRT2 overexpression was sufficient to enhance neurogenesis and synaptic protein expression. Mechanistically, ODEXs mediated transcellular delivery of SIRT2, targeting AKT deacetylation and AKT/GSK-3β signaling to regulate neuroplasticity.

CONCLUSION

This study establishes how ODEXs improve depressive-like behaviors and hippocampal neuroplasticity and might provide a promising therapeutic approach for depression.

SIRT2 as a potential new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia globally with an increasing incidence over the years, bringing a heavy burden to individuals and society due to the lack of an effective treatment. In this context, sirtuin 2, the sirtuin with the highest expression in the brain, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes and discusses the complex roles of sirtuin 2 in different molecular mechanisms involved in Alzheimer's disease such as amyloid and tau pathology, microtubule stability, neuroinflammation, myelin formation, autophagy, and oxidative stress. The role of sirtuin 2 in all these processes highlights its potential implication in the etiology and development of Alzheimer's disease. However, its presence in different cell types and its enormous variety of substrates leads to apparently contradictory conclusions when it comes to understanding its specific functions. Further studies in sirtuin 2 research with selective sirtuin 2 modulators targeting specific sirtuin 2 substrates are necessary to clarify its specific functions under different conditions and to validate it as a novel pharmacological target. This will contribute to the development of new treatment strategies, not only for Alzheimer's disease but also for other neurodegenerative diseases.

A Comprehensive Review of the Effects of Glycemic Carbohydrates on the Neurocognitive Functions Based on Gut Microenvironment Regulation and Glycemic Fluctuation Control

Improper glycemic carbohydrates (GCs) consumption can be a potential risk factor for metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, which may lead to cognitive impairment. Although several potential mechanisms have been studied, the biological relationship between carbohydrate consumption and neurocognitive impairment is still uncertain. In this review, the main effects and mechanisms of GCs' digestive characteristics on cognitive functions are comprehensively elucidated. Additionally, healthier carbohydrate selection, a reliable research model, and future directions are discussed. Individuals in their early and late lives and patients with metabolic diseases are highly susceptible to dietary-induced cognitive impairment. It is well known that gut function is closely related to dietary patterns. Unhealthy carbohydrate diet-induced gut microenvironment disorders negatively impact cognitive functions through the gut-brain axis. Moreover, severe glycemic fluctuations, due to rapidly digestible carbohydrate consumption or metabolic diseases, can impair neurocognitive functions by disrupting glucose metabolism, dysregulating calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and accumulating advanced glycation end products. Unstable glycemic status can lead to more severe neurological impairment than persistent hyperglycemia. Slow-digested or resistant carbohydrates might contribute to better neurocognitive functions due to stable glycemic response and healthier gut functions than fully gelatinized starch and nutritive sugars.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids in the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Role in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Viral Infections

The gut-brain axis (GBA) is the umbrella term to include all bidirectional communication between the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) tract in the mammalian body. Evidence from over two centuries describes a significant role of GI microbiome in health and disease states of the host organism. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), mainly acetate, butyrate, and propionate that are the physiological forms of acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid respectively, are GI bacteria derived metabolites. SCFAs have been reported to influence cellular function in multiple neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). In addition, the inflammation modulating properties of SCFAs make them suitable therapeutic candidates in neuroinflammatory conditions. This review provides a historical background of the GBA and current knowledge of the GI microbiome and role of individual SCFAs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Recently, a few reports have also identified the effects of GI metabolites in the case of viral infections. Among these viruses, the flaviviridae family is associated with neuroinflammation and deterioration of CNS functions. In this context, we additionally introduce SCFA based mechanisms in different viral pathogenesis to understand the former's potential as agents against flaviviral disease.

HDACi protects against vascular cognitive impairment from CCH injury via induction of BDNF-related AMPA receptor activation

We previously showed a hydroxamic acid‐based histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), compound 13, provides neuroprotection against chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) both in vitro under oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions and in vivo under bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) conditions. Intriguingly, the protective effect of this HDACi is via H3K14 or H4K5 acetylation–mediated differential BDNF isoform activation. BDNF is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation in development, synaptic plasticity and in learning and memory related with receptors or synaptic proteins. B6 mice underwent BCCAO and were randomized into 4 groups; a sham without BCCAO (sham), BCCAO mice injected with DMSO (DMSO), mice injected with HDACi‐compound 13 (compound 13) and mice injected with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). The cortex and hippocampus of mice were harvested at 3 months after BCCAO, and levels of BDNF, AMPA receptor and dopamine receptors (D1, D2 and D3) were studied using Western blotting analysis or immunohistochemistry. We found that the AMPA receptor plays a key role in the molecular mechanism of this process by modulating HDAC. This protective effect of HDACi may be through BDNF; therefore, activation of this downstream signalling molecule, for example by AMPA receptors, could be a therapeutic target or intervention applied under CCH conditions.

Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2): Confusing Roles in the Pathophysiology of Neurological Disorders

As a type of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent deacetylases, sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is predominantly found in the cytoplasm of cells in the central nervous system (CNS), suggesting its potential role in neurological disorders. Though SIRT2 is generally acknowledged to accelerate the development of neurological pathologies, it protects the brain from deterioration in certain circumstances. This review summarized the complex roles SIRT2 plays in the pathophysiology of diverse neurological disorders, compared and analyzed the discrete roles of SIRT2 in different conditions, and provided possible explanations for its paradoxical functions. In the future, the rapid growth in SIRT2 research may clarify its impacts on neurological disorders and develop therapeutic strategies targeting this protein.

Sirt7-p21 Signaling Pathway Mediates Glucocorticoid-Induced Inhibition of Mouse Neural Stem Cell Proliferation

Prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) overexposure impacts fetal hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) and increases the risk for relative cognitive and mood disorders in offspring. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we treated mouse hippocampal NSCs with dexamethasone (DEX) in vitro and found that DEX inhibited cell proliferation and Sirt7 expression. In addition, prenatal mouse overexposure to DEX induced the suppression of Sirt7 in the hippocampus of offspring. Sirt7 knockdown significantly decreased the percentage of proliferating cells but did not further reduce the NSC proliferation rate in the presence of DEX, whereas Sirt7 overexpression rescued DEX-induced inhibition of hippocampal NSC proliferation. Moreover, DEX inhibited Sirt7 expression through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and p21 was found to mediate the functional effect of DEX-induced Sirt7 suppression. In conclusion, our data demonstrate for the first time the effect of DEX on the Sirt7-p21 pathway in hippocampal NSCs, identifying a new potential therapeutic target for prenatal GC overexposure-related neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.

Obesity-induced cognitive impairment in older adults: a microvascular perspective

Over two-thirds of individuals aged 65 and older are obese or overweight in the United States. Epidemiological data show an association between the degree of adiposity and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. In this review, the pathophysiological roles of microvascular mechanisms, including impaired endothelial function and neurovascular coupling responses, microvascular rarefaction, and blood-brain barrier disruption in the genesis of cognitive impairment in geriatric obesity are considered. The potential contribution of adipose-derived factors and fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of senescence to exacerbated obesity-induced cerebromicrovascular impairment and cognitive decline in aging are discussed.

Epigenetics in Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Role of Histone Deacetylases

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Imbalance in histone acetylation levels and consequently the dysfunction in transcription are associated with a wide variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Histone proteins acetylation and deacetylation is carried out by two opposite acting enzymes, histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases (HDACs), respectively. In-vitro and in-vivo animal models of neurodegenerative diseases and post mortem brains of patients have been reported overexpressed level of HDACs. In recent past numerous studies have indicated that HDAC inhibitors (HDACIs) might be a promising class of therapeutic agents for treating these devastating diseases. HDACs being a part of repressive complexes, the outcome of their inhibition has been attributed to enhanced gene expression due to heightened histone acetylation. Beneficial effects of HDACIs has been explored both in preclinical and clinical studies of these diseases. Thus, their screening as future therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases has been widely explored.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we focus on the putative role of HDACs in neurodegeneration and further discuss their potential as a new therapeutic avenue for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Early sirtuin 2 inhibition prevents age-related cognitive decline in a senescence-accelerated mouse model

The senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAMP8) model has been considered as a good model for aged-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since epigenetic alterations represent a crucial mechanism during aging, in the present study we tested whether the inhibition of the histone deacetylase sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) could ameliorate the age-dependent cognitive impairments and associated neuropathology shown by SAMP8 mice. To this end, the potent SIRT2-selective inhibitor, 33i (5 mg/kg i.p. 8 weeks) was administered to 5-month-old (early treatment) and 8-month-old (late treatment) SAMP8 and aged matched control, senescence-accelerated mouse resistant-1 (SAMR1) mice. 33i administration to 5-month-old SAMP8 mice improved spatial learning and memory impairments shown by this strain in the Morris water maze. SAMP8 showed hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and decrease levels of SIRT1 in the hippocampus, which were not altered by 33i treatment. However, this treatment upregulated the glutamate receptor subunits GluN2A, GluN2B, and GluA1 in both SAMR1 and SAMP8. Moreover, early SIRT2 inhibition prevented neuroinflammation evidenced by reduced levels of GFAP, IL-1β, Il-6, and Tnf-α, providing a plausible explanation for the improvement of cognitive deficits shown by 33i-treated SAMP8 mice. When 33i was administered to 8-month-old SAMP8 with a severe established pathology, increases in GluN2A, GluN2B, and GluA1 were observed; however, it was not able to reverse the cognitive decline or the neuroinflammation. These results suggest that early SIRT2 inhibition might be beneficial in preventing age-related cognitive deficits, neuroinflammation, and AD progression and could be an emerging candidate for the treatment of other diseases linked to dementia.

OX40 Costimulation Inhibits Foxp3 Expression and Treg Induction via BATF3-Dependent and Independent Mechanisms

Naive CD4⁺ T cells can be converted to Foxp3⁺ T regulatory cells (Tregs) in the periphery (iTregs), where induction of Foxp3 gene expression is central to Treg differentiation. OX40 signaling is known to inhibit Foxp3 expression and Treg induction, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we found that OX40 costimulation activates two distinct molecular pathways to suppress Foxp3 expression in freshly activated naive CD4⁺ T cells. Specifically, OX40 upregulates BATF3 and BATF, which produce a closed chromatin configuration to repress Foxp3 expression in a Sirt1/7-dependent manner. Moreover, OX40 can also activate the AKT-mTOR pathway, especially in the absence of BATF3 and BATF, to inhibit Foxp3 induction, and this is mediated by phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion of the transcription factor Foxo1. Taken together, our results provide key mechanistic insights into how OX40 inhibits Foxp3 expression and Treg induction in the periphery.

Understanding Epigenetics in the Neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's Disease: SAMP8 Mouse Model

Epigenetics is emerging as the missing link among genetic inheritance, environmental influences, and body and brain health status. In the brain, specific changes in nucleic acids or their associated proteins in neurons and glial cells might imprint differential patterns of gene activation that will favor either cognitive enhancement or cognitive loss for more than one generation. Furthermore, derangement of age-related epigenetic signaling is appearing as a significant risk factor for illnesses of aging, including neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition, better knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms might provide hints and clues in the triggering and progression of AD. Intense research in experimental models suggests that molecular interventions for modulating epigenetic mechanisms might have therapeutic applications to promote cognitive maintenance through an advanced age. The SAMP8 mouse is a senescence model with AD traits in which the study of epigenetic alterations may unveil epigenetic therapies against the AD.

Current understanding and future perspectives of the roles of sirtuins in the reprogramming and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells

In mammalian cells, there are seven members of the sirtuin protein family (SIRT1-7). SIRT1, SIRT6, and SIRT7 catalyze posttranslational modification of proteins in the nucleus, SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5 are in the mitochondria and SIRT2 is in the cytosol. SIRT1 can deacetylate the transcription factor SOX2 and regulate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogramming through the miR-34a-SIRT1-p53 axis. SIRT2 can regulate the function of pluripotent stem cells through GSK3β. SIRT3 can positively regulate PPAR gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) expression during the differentiation of stem cells. SIRT4 has no direct role in regulating reprogramming but may have the potential to prevent senescence of somatic cells and to facilitate the reprogramming of iPSCs. SIRT5 can deacetylate STAT3, which is an important transcription factor in regulating pluripotency and differentiation of stem cells. SIRT6 can enhance the reprogramming efficiency of iPSCs from aged skin fibroblasts through miR-766 and increase the expression levels of the reprogramming genes including Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog through acetylation of histone H3 lysine 56. SIRT7 plays a regulatory role in the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), which has been suggested to be a crucial process in the generation of iPSCs from fibroblasts. In this review, we summarize recent findings of the roles of sirtuins in the metabolic reprogramming and differentiation of stem cells and discuss the bidirectional changes in the gene expression and activities of sirtuins in the commitment of differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and reprogramming of somatic cells to iPSCs, respectively. Thus, understanding the molecular basis of the interplay between different sirtuins and mitochondrial function will provide new insights into the regulation of differentiation of stem cells and iPSCs formation, respectively, and may help design effective stem cell therapies for regenerative medicine. Impact statement This is an extensive review of the recent advances in our understanding of the roles of some members of the sirtuins family, such as SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT3, and SIRT6, in the regulation of intermediary metabolism during stem cell differentiation and in the reprogramming of somatic cells to form induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This article provides an updated integrated view on the mechanisms by which sirtuins-mediated posttranslational protein modifications regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, bioenergetics, and antioxidant defense in the maintenance and differentiation of stem cells and in iPSCs formation, respectively.

Butyrate stimulates adipose lipolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation through histone hyperacetylation-associated β3 -adrenergic receptor activation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Butyrate can prevent diet-induced obesity through increasing energy expenditure. However, it is unclear whether β₃ -adrenergic receptors (ARβ3) mediate butyrate-induced adipose lipolysis. What is the main finding and its importance? Short-term oral administration of sodium butyrate is effective in alleviating diet-induced obesity through activation of ARβ3-mediated lipolysis in white adipose tissue. Butyrate can prevent diet-induced obesity through increasing energy expenditure. However, it is unclear whether ARβ3 mediates butyrate-induced adipose lipolysis. In this study, weaned mice were were fed control (Con) or high-fat (HF) diet for 8 weeks to establish obesity. High-fat diet-induced obese mice maintained on the HF diet were divided into two subgroups; the HFB group was gavaged with 80 mg sodium butyrate (SB) per mouse every other day for 10 days, whereas the HF group received vehicle. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was performed to determine the status of histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9Ac) on the promoter of the β₃ -adrenergic receptor (ARβ3) gene in epididymal white adipose tissue. It was shown that five gavage doses of SB significantly alleviated HF diet-induced obesity and restored plasma leptin concentration to the control level. Protein contents of ARβ3 and PKA, as well as ATGL and p-HSL (Ser563), were significantly upregulated in the HFB group compared with the HF group. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was enhanced by SB treatment. Sodium butyrate significantly increased the expression of four out of 13 mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes and significantly upregulated the protein contents of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α and COX4. Moreover, SB administration enhanced the expression of ARβ3 and its downstream signalling. The G protein-coupled receptor 43 and p-CREB (Ser133) were significantly stimulated by SB. In addition, an active transcription marker, H3K9Ac, was significantly enriched on the promoter of the ARβ3 gene. Our results indicate that short-term oral administration of SB is effective in alleviating diet-induced obesity through activation of the ARβ3-mediated lipolysis in the epididymal white adipose tissue.

Butyric acid regulates progesterone and estradiol secretion via cAMP signaling pathway in porcine granulosa cells

Butyric acid (BA), one of the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), has positive actions on the metabolism, inflammation, etc. However, whether it influences the reproductive physiology and if so the detail mechanism involved has not yet been determined. In this study, the porcine granulosa cells (PGCs) were treated with gradient concentrations of BA. After 24h culture, 0.05mM BA significantly stimulated the progesterone (P₄) secretion (P<0.05), 5mM and 10mM BA significantly inhibited the P₄ secretion (P<0.05). Simultaneously, BA up-regulated the estradiol (E₂) secretion in a dose dependent manner, 5mM and 10mM BA significantly promoted the E₂ level (P<0.05). In addition, 10mM BA significantly promoted the G-protein-coupled receptor 41/43 mRNA (P<0.05). Interestingly, 5mM BA treatment significantly down-regulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content (P<0.05), steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR), steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), P450scc in the mRNA and/or protein level (P<0.05), and these actions were reversed by cAMP activator forskolin (FK). Moreover, the co-treatment of 5mM BA and bupivacaine (BPC, the cAMP inhibitor) significantly accumulated the inhibition action of BPC on cAMP, the secretion of P₄, and the abundance of StAR mRNA (P<0.05), inhibited the up-regulation of 5mM BA on the E₂ secretion (P<0.05). Further, the Global Proteome and KEGG pathway analysis found that 5mM BA significantly up-regulated the I3LM80 proteins (P<0.05), which is involved in the steroid biosynthesis signaling pathway. 5mM BA significantly decreased the F2Z5G3 protein level (P<0.05), and the cAMP signaling pathway. In conclusion, present findings for the first time demonstrated that BA could regulate the P₄ and E₂ hormone synthesis in PGCs via the cAMP signaling pathway.

The Impact of Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis on Diabetic Cognition Impairment

Progressive cognitive dysfunction is a central characteristic of diabetic encephalopathy (DE). With an aging population, the incidence of DE is rising and it has become a major threat that seriously affects public health. Studies within this decade have indicated the important role of risk factors such as oxidative stress and inflammation on the development of cognitive impairment. With the recognition of the two-way communication between gut and brain, recent investigation suggests that “microbiota-gut-brain axis” also plays a pivotal role in modulating both cognition function and endocrine stability. This review aims to systemically elucidate the underlying impact of diabetes on cognitive impairment.

Butyrate induces apoptosis by activating PDC and inhibiting complex I through SIRT3 inactivation

The underlying anticancer effects of butyrate, an end-product of the intestinal microbial fermentation of dietary fiber, remain elusive. Here, we report that butyrate promotes cancer cell apoptosis by acting as a SIRT3 inhibitor. Butyrate inhibits SIRT3 both in cultured cells and in vitro. Butyrate-induced PDHA1 hyperacetylation relieves the inhibitory phosphorylation of PDHA1 at serine 293, thereby activating an influx of glycolytic intermediates into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and reversing the Warburg effect. Meanwhile, butyrate-induced hyperacetylation inactivates complex I of the electron transfer chain and prevents the utilization of TCA cycle intermediates. These metabolic stresses promote apoptosis in hyperglycolytic cancer cells, such as HCT116p53-/- cells. SIRT3 deacetylates both PDHA1 and complex I. Genetic ablation of Sirt3 in mouse hepatocytes abrogated the ability of butyrate to induce apoptosis. Our results identify a butyrate-mediated anti-tumor mechanism and indicate that the combined activation of PDC and inhibition of complex I is a novel tumor treatment strategy.

Changes in the Hippocampal Proteome Associated with Spatial Memory Impairment after Exposure to Low (20 cGy) Doses of 1 GeV/n 56Fe Radiation

Exposure to low (∼20 cGy) doses of high-energy charged (HZE) particles, such as 1 GeV/n ⁵⁶Fe, results in impaired hippocampal-dependent learning and memory (e.g., novel object recognition and spatial memory) in rodents. While these findings raise the possibility that astronauts on deep-space missions may develop cognitive deficits, not all rats develop HZE-induced cognitive impairments, even after exposure to high (200 cGy) HZE doses. The reasons for this differential sensitivity in some animals that develop HZE-induced cognitive failure remain speculative. We employed a robust quantitative mass spectrometry-based workflow, which links early-stage discovery to next-stage quantitative verification, to identify differentially active proteins/pathways in rats that developed spatial memory impairment at three months after exposure to 20 cGy of 1 GeV/n ⁵⁶Fe (20/impaired), and in those rats that managed to maintain normal cognitive performance (20/functional). Quantitative data were obtained on 665-828 hippocampal proteins in the various cohorts of rats studied, of which 580 were expressed in all groups. A total of 107 proteins were upregulated in the irradiated rats irrespective of their spatial memory performance status, which included proteins involved in oxidative damage response, calcium transport and signaling. Thirty percent (37/107) of these "radiation biomarkers" formed a functional interactome of the proteasome and the COP9 signalosome. These data suggest that there is persistent oxidative stress, ongoing autophagy and altered synaptic plasticity in the irradiated hippocampus, irrespective of the spatial memory performance status, suggesting that the ultimate phenotype may be determined by how well the hippocampal neurons compensate to the ongoing oxidative stress and associated side effects. There were 67 proteins with expression that correlated with impaired spatial memory performance. Several of the "impaired biomarkers" have been implicated in poor spatial memory performance, neurodegeneration, neuronal loss or neuronal susceptibility to apoptosis, or neuronal synaptic or structural plasticity. Therefore, in addition to the baseline oxidative stress and altered adenosine metabolism observed in all irradiated rats, the 20/impaired rats expressed proteins that led to poor spatial memory performance, enhanced neuronal loss and apoptosis, changes in synaptic plasticity and dendritic remodeling. A total of 46 proteins, which were differentially upregulated in the sham-irradiated and 20/functional rat cohorts, can thus be considered as markers of good spatial memory, while another 95 proteins are associated with the maintenance of good spatial memory in the 20/functional rats. The loss or downregulation of these "good spatial memory" proteins would most likely exacerbate the situation in the 20/impaired rats, having a major impact on their neurocognitive status, given that many of those proteins play an important role in neuronal homeostasis and function. Our large-scale comprehensive proteomic analysis has provided some insight into the processes that are altered after exposure, and the collective data suggests that there are multiple problems with the functionality of the neurons and astrocytes in the irradiated hippocampi, which appear to be further exacerbated in the rats that have impaired spatial memory performance or partially compensated for in the rats with good spatial memory.

Gut to Brain Dysbiosis: Mechanisms Linking Western Diet Consumption, the Microbiome, and Cognitive Impairment

Consumption of a Western Diet (WD) that is high in saturated fat and added sugars negatively impacts cognitive function, particularly mnemonic processes that rely on the integrity of the hippocampus. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome influences cognitive function via the gut-brain axis, and that WD factors significantly alter the proportions of commensal bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Here we review mechanisms through which consuming a WD negatively impacts neurocognitive function, with a particular focus on recent evidence linking the gut microbiome with dietary- and metabolic-associated hippocampal impairment. We highlight evidence linking gut bacteria to altered intestinal permeability and blood brain barrier integrity, thus making the brain more vulnerable to the influx of deleterious substances from the circulation. WD consumption also increases production of endotoxin by commensal bacteria, which may promote neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction. Recent findings also show that diet-induced alterations in gut microbiota impair peripheral insulin sensitivity, which is associated with hippocampal neuronal derrangements and associated mnemonic deficits. In some cases treatment with specific probiotics or prebiotics can prevent or reverse some of the deleterious impact of WD consumption on neuropsychological outcomes, indicating that targeting the microbiome may be a successful strategy for combating dietary- and metabolic-associated cognitive impairment.

Sirtuin-2 inhibition affects hippocampal functions and sodium butyrate ameliorates the reduction in novel object memory, cell proliferation, and neuroblast differentiation

We investigated the effects of the sirtuin-2 (SIRT2) inhibitor AK-7 on novel object memory, cell proliferation, and neuroblast differentiation in the dentate gyrus. In addition, we also observed the relationships with sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the hippocampal functions. To investigate the effects of AK-7 on hippocampal functions, 10-week-old C57BL/6 mice were daily injected intraperitoneally with 20 mg/kg AK-7 alone or in combination with subcutaneous administration of 300 mg/kg sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, for 21 days. A novel object recognition test was conducted on days 20 (training) and 21 (testing) of treatment. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed for immunohistochemistry for Ki67 (cell proliferation) and doublecortin (DCX, neuroblast differentiation). AK-7 administration significantly reduced the time spent exploring new objects, while treatment in combination with sodium butyrate significantly alleviated this reduction. Additionally, AK-7 administration significantly reduced the number of Ki67-positive cells and DCX-immunoreactive neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus, while the treatment in combination with sodium butyrate ameliorated these changes. This result suggests that the reduction of SIRT2 may be closely related to age-related phenotypes including novel object memory, as well as cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the dentate gyrus. In addition, sodium butyrate reverses SIRT2-related age phenotypes.

A role for histone acetylation mechanisms in adolescent alcohol exposure-induced deficits in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and neurogenesis markers in adulthood

Binge drinking during adolescence is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders that can develop later in life. Histone acetylation is an important epigenetic mechanism that contributes to neurodevelopment. We investigated the effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure, as opposed to normal saline (AIS) exposure, on histone acetylation-mediated regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and developmental stages of neurogenesis (proliferating and immature neurons) in the hippocampus in adulthood. AIE exposure increased whole hippocampal histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and decreased binding protein of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CBP) and histone H3-K9 acetylation levels in the CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. BDNF protein and exon IV mRNA levels in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus of AIE-exposed adult rats were decreased as compared to AIS-exposed adult rats. AIE-induced anxiety-like behaviors and deficits in histone H3 acetylation at BDNF exon IV promoter in the hippocampus during adulthood, which were reversed by treatment with the HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA). Similarly, neurogenesis was inhibited by AIE in adulthood as demonstrated by the decrease in Ki-67 and doublecortin (DCX)-positive cells in the dentate gyrus, which was normalized by TSA treatment. These results indicate that AIE exposure increases HDACs and decreases CBP levels that may be associated with a decrease in histone H3 acetylation in the hippocampus. These epigenetic changes potentially decrease BDNF expression and inhibit neurogenesis in the hippocampus that may be involved in AIE-induced behavioral abnormalities, including anxiety, in adulthood.

Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors - emerging roles in neuronal memory, learning, synaptic plasticity and neural regeneration

Epigenetic regulation of neuronal signalling through histone acetylation dictates transcription programs that govern neuronal memory, plasticity and learning paradigms. Histone Acetyl Transferases (HATs) and Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) are antagonistic enzymes that regulate gene expression through acetylation and deacetylation of histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped inside a eukaryotic cell nucleus. The epigenetic control of HDACs and the cellular imbalance between HATs and HDACs dictate disease states and have been implicated in muscular dystrophy, loss of memory, neurodegeneration and autistic disorders. Altering gene expression profiles through inhibition of HDACs is now emerging as a powerful technique in therapy. This review presents evolving applications of HDAC inhibitors as potential drugs in neurological research and therapy. Mechanisms that govern their expression profiles in neuronal signalling, plasticity and learning will be covered. Promising and exciting possibilities of HDAC inhibitors in memory formation, fear conditioning, ischemic stroke and neural regeneration have been detailed.

Differential Effects of Sodium Butyrate and Lithium Chloride on Rhesus Monkey Trophoblast Differentiation

Trophoblast differentiation during early placental development is critical for successful pregnancy and aberrant differentiation causes preeclampsia and early pregnancy loss. During the first trimester, cytotrophoblasts are exposed to low oxygen tension (equivalent to~2%-3% O₂) and differentiation proceeds along an extravillous pathway (giving rise to invasive extravillous cytotrophoblasts) and a villous pathway (giving rise to multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast). Interstitial extravillous cytotrophoblasts invade the decidua, while endovascular extravillous cytotrophoblasts are involved in re-modelling uterine spiral arteries. We tested the idea that sodium butyrate (an epigenetic modulator) induces trophoblast differentiation in early gestation rhesus monkey trophoblasts through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The results show that syncytiotrophoblast formation was increased by butyrate, accompanied by nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, and increased expression of EnvV2 and galectin-1 (two factors thought to be involved in trophoblast fusion). Surprisingly, the expression of GCM1 and syncytin-2 was not affected by sodium butyrate. When trophoblasts were incubated with lithium chloride, a GSK3 inhibitor that mimics Wnt activation, nuclear accumulation of β-catenin also occurred but differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast was not observed. Instead the cells differentiated to mononucleated spindle-shaped cells and showed molecular and behavioral characteristics of endovascular trophoblasts. Another highly specific inhibitor of GSK3, CHIR99021, failed to induce endovascular trophoblast characteristics. These observations suggest that activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway correlates with both trophoblast differentiation pathways, but that additional factors determine specific cell fate decisions. Other experiments suggested that the differential effects of sodium butyrate and lithium chloride might be explained by their effects on TNFα production. The results provide valuable tools to manipulate trophoblast differentiation in vitro and to better understand the differentiation pathways that occur during early gestation.

Community structure analysis of transcriptional networks reveals distinct molecular pathways for early- and late-onset temporal lobe epilepsy with childhood febrile seizures

Age at epilepsy onset has a broad impact on brain plasticity and epilepsy pathomechanisms. Prolonged febrile seizures in early childhood (FS) constitute an initial precipitating insult (IPI) commonly associated with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). FS-MTLE patients may have early disease onset, i.e. just after the IPI, in early childhood, or late-onset, ranging from mid-adolescence to early adult life. The mechanisms governing early (E) or late (L) disease onset are largely unknown. In order to unveil the molecular pathways underlying E and L subtypes of FS-MTLE we investigated global gene expression in hippocampal CA3 explants of FS-MTLE patients submitted to hippocampectomy. Gene coexpression networks (GCNs) were obtained for the E and L patient groups. A network-based approach for GCN analysis was employed allowing: i) the visualization and analysis of differentially expressed (DE) and complete (CO) - all valid GO annotated transcripts - GCNs for the E and L groups; ii) the study of interactions between all the system's constituents based on community detection and coarse-grained community structure methods. We found that the E-DE communities with strongest connection weights harbor highly connected genes mainly related to neural excitability and febrile seizures, whereas in L-DE communities these genes are not only involved in network excitability but also playing roles in other epilepsy-related processes. Inversely, in E-CO the strongly connected communities are related to compensatory pathways (seizure inhibition, neuronal survival and responses to stress conditions) while in L-CO these communities harbor several genes related to pro-epileptic effects, seizure-related mechanisms and vulnerability to epilepsy. These results fit the concept, based on fMRI and behavioral studies, that early onset epilepsies, although impacting more severely the hippocampus, are associated to compensatory mechanisms, while in late MTLE development the brain is less able to generate adaptive mechanisms, what has implications for epilepsy management and drug discovery.

Aging-related rotenone-induced neurochemical and behavioral deficits: role of SIRT2 and redox imbalance, and neuroprotection by AK-7

Aging is one of the strongest risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD). SIRT2 has been implicated in the aging process. It is pertinent to investigate the role of SIRT2 in aging-related dopaminergic neurotoxicity and to develop effective therapeutic strategies for PD through the use of aging animals. In this study, we observed that rotenone induced significant behavior abnormality and striatal dopamine depletion in aging rats, while it did not do so in young rats. No significant change in striatal serotonin level was observed in the aging rats after rotenone administration. There was also aging-related rotenone-induced increase in substantia nigra (SN) SIRT2 expression in the rats. In addition, there was aging-related rotenone-induced SN malondialdehyde (MDA) increase and glutathione (GSH) decrease in the rats. No significant changes in cerebellar SIRT2, MDA, or GSH levels were observed in the aging rats after rotenone administration. Striatal dopamine content was significantly inversely correlated with SN SIRT2 expression in the rats. AK-7 significantly diminished striatal dopamine depletion and improved behavior abnormality in the rotenone-treated aging rats. Furthermore, AK-7 significantly decreased MDA content and increased GSH content in the SN of rotenone-treated aging rats. Finally, the effect of AK-7 on dopaminergic neurons and redox imbalance was supported by the results from primary mesencephalic cultures. Our study helps to elucidate the mechanism for the participation of aging in PD and suggests that SN SIRT2 may be involved in PD neurodegeneration, that AK-7 may be neuroprotective in PD, and that maintaining redox balance may be one of the mechanisms underlying neuroprotection by AK-7.