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Neri de Souza Reis V, Tahira AC, Daguano Gastaldi V, Mari P, Portolese J, Feio dos Santos AC, Lisboa B, Mari J, Caetano SC, Brunoni D, Bordini D, Silvestre de Paula C, Vêncio RZN, Quackenbush J, Brentani H. Environmental Influences Measured by Epigenetic Clock and Vulnerability Components at Birth Impact Clinical ASD Heterogeneity. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091433. [PMID: 34573415 PMCID: PMC8467464 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is recognized as being heavily influenced by genetic factors, the role of epigenetic and environmental factors is still being established. This study aimed to identify ASD vulnerability components based on familial history and intrauterine environmental stress exposure, explore possible vulnerability subgroups, access DNA methylation age acceleration (AA) as a proxy of stress exposure during life, and evaluate the association of ASD vulnerability components and AA to phenotypic severity measures. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to search the vulnerability components from 67 mothers of autistic children. We found that PC1 had a higher correlation with psychosocial stress (maternal stress, maternal education, and social class), and PC2 had a higher correlation with biological factors (psychiatric family history and gestational complications). Comparing the methylome between above and below PC1 average subgroups we found 11,879 statistically significant differentially methylated probes (DMPs, p < 0.05). DMPs CpG sites were enriched in variably methylated regions (VMRs), most showing environmental and genetic influences. Hypermethylated probes presented higher rates in different regulatory regions associated with functional SNPs, indicating that the subgroups may have different affected regulatory regions and their liability to disease explained by common variations. Vulnerability components score moderated by epigenetic clock AA was associated with Vineland Total score (p = 0.0036, adjR2 = 0.31), suggesting risk factors with stress burden can influence ASD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Neri de Souza Reis
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
| | - Ana Carolina Tahira
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Daguano Gastaldi
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
| | - Paula Mari
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
| | - Joana Portolese
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
| | - Ana Cecilia Feio dos Santos
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Básicas em Malária—Entomologia, Seção de Parasitologia—Instituto Evandro Chagas/SVS/MS, Ananindeua 66093-020, PA, Brazil
| | - Bianca Lisboa
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
| | - Jair Mari
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil; (J.M.); (S.C.C.); (D.B.); (C.S.d.P.)
| | - Sheila C. Caetano
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil; (J.M.); (S.C.C.); (D.B.); (C.S.d.P.)
| | - Décio Brunoni
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM), São Paulo 01302-907, SP, Brazil;
| | - Daniela Bordini
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil; (J.M.); (S.C.C.); (D.B.); (C.S.d.P.)
| | - Cristiane Silvestre de Paula
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil; (J.M.); (S.C.C.); (D.B.); (C.S.d.P.)
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM), São Paulo 01302-907, SP, Brazil;
| | - Ricardo Z. N. Vêncio
- Departamento de Computação e Matemática FFCLRP-USP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil;
| | - John Quackenbush
- Center for Cancer Computational Biology, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; or
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Helena Brentani
- Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-903, SP, Brazil; (V.N.d.S.R.); (A.C.T.); (V.D.G.); (P.M.); (J.P.); (A.C.F.d.S.); (B.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-(11)-99-931-4349
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Gao Y, Shen M, Gonzalez JC, Dong Q, Kannan S, Hoang JT, Eisinger BE, Pandey J, Javadi S, Chang Q, Wang D, Overstreet-Wadiche L, Zhao X. RGS6 Mediates Effects of Voluntary Running on Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis. Cell Rep 2021; 32:107997. [PMID: 32755589 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Voluntary running enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis, with consequences for hippocampal-dependent learning ability and mood regulation. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we show that voluntary running induces unique and dynamic gene expression changes specifically within the adult-born hippocampal neurons, with significant impact on genes involved in neuronal maturation and human diseases. We identify the regulator of G protein signaling 6 (RGS6) as a key factor that mediates running impact on adult-born neurons. RGS6 overexpression mimics the positive effects of voluntary running on morphological and physiological maturation of adult new neurons and reduced sensitivity of adult-born neurons to the inhibitory effect of GABAB (γ-Aminobutyric acid B) receptor activation. Knocking down RGS6 abolishes running-enhanced neuronal maturation and hippocampal neurogenesis-dependent learning and anxiolytic effect. Our study provides a data resource showing genome-wide intrinsic molecular changes in adult-born hippocampal neurons that contribute to voluntary running-induced neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Minjie Shen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Jose Carlos Gonzalez
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Qiping Dong
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Sudharsan Kannan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Johnson T Hoang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Brian E Eisinger
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Jyotsna Pandey
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Sahar Javadi
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Qiang Chang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Daifeng Wang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | | | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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Vu TD, Iwasaki Y, Oshima K, Chiu MT, Nikaido M, Okada N. A unique neurogenomic state emerges after aggressive confrontations in males of the fish Betta splendens. Gene 2021; 784:145601. [PMID: 33766705 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145601] [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: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Territorial defense involves frequent aggressive confrontations with competitors, but little is known about how brain-transcriptomic profiles change between individuals competing for territory establishment. Our previous study elucidated that when two fish Betta splendens males interact, transcriptomes across their brains synchronize in a way that reflects a mutual assessment process between them at the gene expression level. Here we aim to evaluate how the brain-transcriptomic profiles of opponents change immediately after shifting their social status (i.e., the winner/loser has emerged) and 30 min after this shift. We showed that changes in the expression of certain genes are unique to different fighting stages and the expression patterns of certain genes are transiently or persistently changed across all fighting stages. These brain transcriptomic responses are in accordance with behavioral changes across the fight. Strikingly, the specificity of the brain-transcriptomic synchronization of a pair during fighting was gradually lost after fighting ceased, leading to the emergence of a basal neurogenomic state in which the changes in gene expression were reduced to minimum and consistent across all individuals. This state shares common characteristics with the hibernation state that animals adopt to minimize their metabolic rates to save energy. Interestingly, expression changes for genes related to metabolism, autism spectrum disorder, and long-term memory still differentiated losers from winners. Together, the fighting system using male B. splendens provides a promising platform for investigating neurogenomic states of aggression in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trieu-Duc Vu
- School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan; School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yuki Iwasaki
- Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan
| | | | - Ming-Tzu Chiu
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Masato Nikaido
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Okada
- School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan.
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Tahira AC, Barbosa AR, Feltrin AS, Gastaldi VD, de Toledo VHC, de Carvalho Pereira JG, Lisboa BCG, de Souza Reis VN, dos Santos ACF, Maschietto M, Brentani H. Putative contributions of the sex chromosome proteins SOX3 and SRY to neurodevelopmental disorders. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2019; 180:390-414. [PMID: 30537354 PMCID: PMC6767407 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The male-biased prevalence of certain neurodevelopmental disorders and the sex-biased outcomes associated with stress exposure during gestation have been previously described. Here, we hypothesized that genes distinctively targeted by only one or both homologous proteins highly conserved across therian mammals, SOX3 and SRY, could induce sexual adaptive changes that result in a differential risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. ChIP-seq/chip data showed that SOX3/SRY gene targets were expressed in different brain cell types in mice. We used orthologous human genes in rodent genomes to extend the number of SOX3/SRY set (1,721). These genes were later found to be enriched in five modules of coexpressed genes during the early and mid-gestation periods (FDR < 0.05), independent of sexual hormones. Genes with differential expression (24, p < 0.0001) and methylation (40, p < 0.047) between sexes were overrepresented in this set. Exclusive SOX3 or SRY target genes were more associated with the late gestational and postnatal periods. Using autism as a model sex-biased disorder, the SOX3/SRY set was enriched in autism gene databases (FDR ≤ 0.05), and there were more de novo variations from the male autism spectrum disorder (ASD) samples under the SRY peaks compared to the random peaks (p < 0.024). The comparison of coexpressed networks of SOX3/SRY target genes between male autism and control samples revealed low preservation in gene modules related to stress response (99 genes) and neurogenesis (78 genes). This study provides evidence that while SOX3 is a regulatory mechanism for both sexes, the male-exclusive SRY also plays a role in gene regulation, suggesting a potential mechanism for sex bias in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Tahira
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
| | - André Rocha Barbosa
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
- Inter‐institutional Grad Program on BioinformaticsUniversity of São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
| | | | - Vinicius Daguano Gastaldi
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
| | - Victor Hugo Calegari de Toledo
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
| | | | - Bianca Cristina Garcia Lisboa
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
| | - Viviane Neri de Souza Reis
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
| | - Ana Cecília Feio dos Santos
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Básicas em Malária – EntomologiaSeção de Parasitologia – Instituto Evandro Chagas/SVS/MSAnanindeuaPABrazil
| | - Mariana Maschietto
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio)Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)CampinasSPBrazil
| | - Helena Brentani
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
- Inter‐institutional Grad Program on BioinformaticsUniversity of São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao PauloSPBrazil
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INPD)Sao PauloSPBrazil
- Faculdade de Medicina FMUSPUniversidade de Sao PauloSao PauloSPBrazil
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DNA methylation fingerprint of monozygotic twins and their singleton sibling with intellectual disability carrying a novel KDM5C mutation. Eur J Med Genet 2019; 63:103737. [PMID: 31419599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2019.103737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in KDM5C (lysine (K)-specific demethylase 5C) were causally associated with up to 3% of X-linked intellectual disability (ID) in males. By exome and Sanger sequencing, a novel frameshift KDM5C variant, predicted to eliminate the JmjC catalytic domain from the protein, was identified in two monozygotic twins and their older brother, which was inherited from their clinically normal mother, who had completely skewed X-inactivation. DNA methylation (DNAm) data were evaluated using the Illumina 450 K Methylation Beadchip arrays. Comparison of methylation levels between the three patients and male controls identified 399 differentially methylated CpG sites, which were enriched among those CpG sites modulated during brain development. Most of them were hypomethylated (72%), and located mainly in shores, whereas the hypermethylated CpGs were more represented in open sea regions. The DNAm changes did not differ between the monozygotic twins nor between them and their older sibling, all presenting a global hypomethylation, similar to other studies that associated DNA methylation changes to different KDM5C mutations. The 38 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were enriched for H3K4me3 marks identified in developing brains. The remarkable similarity between the methylation changes in the monozygotic twins and their older brother is indicative that these epigenetic changes were mostly driven by the KDM5C mutation.
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Initial findings of striatum tripartite model in OCD brain samples based on transcriptome analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3086. [PMID: 30816141 PMCID: PMC6395771 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38965-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. Different striatal subregions belonging to the cortico-striato-thalamic circuitry (CSTC) play an important role in the pathophysiology of OCD. The transcriptomes of 3 separate striatal areas (putamen (PT), caudate nucleus (CN) and accumbens nucleus (NAC)) from postmortem brain tissue were compared between 6 OCD and 8 control cases. In addition to network connectivity deregulation, different biological processes are specific to each striatum region according to the tripartite model of the striatum and contribute in various ways to OCD pathophysiology. Specifically, regulation of neurotransmitter levels and presynaptic processes involved in chemical synaptic transmission were shared between NAC and PT. The Gene Ontology terms cellular response to chemical stimulus, response to external stimulus, response to organic substance, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and modulation of synaptic transmission were shared between CN and PT. Most genes harboring common and/or rare variants previously associated with OCD that were differentially expressed or part of a least preserved coexpression module in our study also suggest striatum subregion specificity. At the transcriptional level, our study supports differences in the 3 circuit CSTC model associated with OCD.
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Feltrin AS, Tahira AC, Simões SN, Brentani H, Martins DC. Assessment of complementarity of WGCNA and NERI results for identification of modules associated to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210431. [PMID: 30645614 PMCID: PMC6333352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders involve both changes in multiple genes as well different types of variations. As such, gene co-expression networks allowed the comparison of different stages and parts of the brain contributing to an integrated view of genetic variation. Two methods based on co-expression networks presents appealing results: Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Network-Medicine Relative Importance (NERI). By selecting two different gene expression databases related to schizophrenia, we evaluated the biological modules selected by both WGCNA and NERI along these databases as well combining both WGCNA and NERI results (WGCNA-NERI). Also we conducted a enrichment analysis for the identification of partial biological function of each result (as well a replication analysis). To appraise the accuracy of whether both algorithms (as well our approach, WGCNA-NERI) were pointing to genes related to schizophrenia and its complex genetic architecture we conducted the MSET analysis, based on a reference gene list of schizophrenia database (SZDB) related to DNA Methylation, Exome, GWAS as well as copy number variation mutation studies. The WGCNA results were more associated with inflammatory pathways and immune system response; NERI obtained genes related with cellular regulation, embryological pathways e cellular growth factors. Only NERI were able to provide a statistical meaningful results to the MSET analysis (for Methylation and de novo mutations data). However, combining WGCNA and NERI provided a much more larger overlap in these two categories and additionally on Transcriptome database. Our study suggests that using both methods in combination is better for establishing a group of modules and pathways related to a complex disease than using each method individually. NERI is available at: https://bitbucket.org/sergionery/neri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Sant’Anna Feltrin
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail: (ASF); (DCMJ)
| | - Ana Carolina Tahira
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Nery Simões
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo, Serra, ES, Brazil
| | - Helena Brentani
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INPD), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - David Corrêa Martins
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail: (ASF); (DCMJ)
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8
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Zhao C, Gammie SC. The circadian gene Nr1d1 in the mouse nucleus accumbens modulates sociability and anxiety-related behaviour. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 48:1924-1943. [PMID: 30028550 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 1 (Nr1d1) (also known as Rev-erb alpha) has been linked to circadian rhythm regulation, mood-related behaviour and disorders associated with social deficits. Recent work from our laboratory found striking decreases in Nr1d1 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in the maternal condition and indirect evidence that Nr1d1 was interacting with numerous addiction and reward-related genes to modulate social reward. In this study, we applied our insights from the maternal state to nonparental adult mice to determine whether decreases in Nr1d1 expression in the NAc via adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors and short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene knockdown were sufficient to modulate social behaviours and mood-related behaviours. Knockdown of Nr1d1 in the NAc enhanced sociability and reduced anxiety, but did not affect depressive-like traits in female mice. In male mice, Nr1d1 knockdown had no significant behavioural effects. Microarray analysis of Nr1d1 knockdown in females identified changes in circadian rhythm and histone deacetylase genes and suggested possible drugs, including histone deacetylase inhibitors, that could mimic actions of Nr1d1 knockdown. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis confirmed expression upregulation of gene period circadian clock 1 (Per1) and period circadian clock 2 (Per2) with Nr1d1 knockdown. The evidence for roles for opioid-related genes opioid receptor, delta 1 (Oprd1) and preproenkephalin (Penk) was also found. Together, these results suggest that Nr1d1 in the NAc modulates sociability and anxiety-related behaviour in a sex-specific manner, and circadian, histone deacetylase and opioid-related genes may be involved in the expression of these behavioural phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjiu Zhao
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Stephen C Gammie
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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9
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Driessen TM, Zhao C, Saenz M, Stevenson SA, Owada Y, Gammie SC. Down-regulation of fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7) is a hallmark of the postpartum brain. J Chem Neuroanat 2018; 92:92-101. [PMID: 30076883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7) is a versatile protein that is linked to glial differentiation and proliferation, neurogenesis, and multiple mental health disorders. Recent microarray studies identified a robust decrease in Fabp7 expression in key brain regions of the postpartum rodents. Given its diverse functions, Fabp7 could play a critical role in sculpting the maternal brain and promoting the maternal phenotype. The present study aimed at investigating the expression profile of Fabp7 across the postpartum CNS. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that Fabp7 mRNA was consistently down-regulated across the postpartum brain. Of the 9 maternal care-related regions tested, seven exhibited significant decreases in Fabp7 in postpartum (relative to virgin) females, including medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NA), lateral septum (LS), bed nucleus of stria terminalis dorsal (BnSTd), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral hypothalamus (LH), and basolateral and central amygdala (BLA/CeA). For both ventral tegmental area (VTA) and medial preoptic area (MPOA) levels of Fabp7 were lower in mothers, but levels of changes did not reach significance. Confocal microscopy revealed that protein expression of Fabp7 in the LS paralleled mRNA findings. Specifically, the caudal LS exhibited a significant reduction in Fabp7 immunoreactivity, while decreases in medial LS were just above significance. Double fluorescent immunolabeling confirmed the astrocytic phenotype of Fabp7-expressing cells. Collectively, this research demonstrates a broad and marked reduction in Fabp7 expression in the postpartum brain, suggesting that down-regulation of Fabp7 may serve as a hallmark of the postpartum brain and contribute to the maternal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri M Driessen
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Changjiu Zhao
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Marissa Saenz
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Sharon A Stevenson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yuji Owada
- Department of Organ Anatomy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Stephen C Gammie
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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10
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Shen L, Zhang K, Feng C, Chen Y, Li S, Iqbal J, Liao L, Zhao Y, Zhai J. iTRAQ-Based Proteomic Analysis Reveals Protein Profile in Plasma from Children with Autism. Proteomics Clin Appl 2018; 12:e1700085. [PMID: 29274201 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201700085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Autism is a childhood neurological disorder with poorly understood etiology and pathology. This study is designed to identify differentially expressed proteins that might serve as potential biomarkers for autism. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We perform iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) analysis for normal and autistic children's plasma of the same age group. RESULTS The results show that 24 differentially expressed proteins were identified between autistic subjects and controls. For the first time, differential expression of complement C5 (C5) and fermitin family homolog 3 (FERMT3) are related to autism. Five proteins, that is, complement C3 (C3), C5, integrin alpha-IIb (ITGA2B), talin-1 (TLN1), and vitamin D-binding protein (GC) were validated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). By ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis, combinations of these five proteins C3, C5, GC, ITGA2B, and TLN1 distinguished autistic children from healthy controls with a high AUC (area under the ROC curve) value (0.982, 95% CI, 0.957-1.000, p < 0.000). CONCLUSION These above described proteins are found involved in different pathways that have previously been linked to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The results strongly support that focal adhesions, acting cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, motility and migration, synaptogenesis, and complement system are involved in the pathogenesis of autism, and highlight the important role of platelet function in the pathophysiology of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Kaoyuan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Chengyun Feng
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Youjiao Chen
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China.,Xiang Ya Changde Hospital, Changde City, Hunan Province, P. R. China
| | - Shuiming Li
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Liping Liao
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhai
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen, P. R. China
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11
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Sanathara NM, Garau C, Alachkar A, Wang L, Wang Z, Nishimori K, Xu X, Civelli O. Melanin concentrating hormone modulates oxytocin-mediated marble burying. Neuropharmacology 2018; 128:22-32. [PMID: 28888943 PMCID: PMC5830107 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive and perseverative behaviors are common features of a number of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Angelman's syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. The oxytocin system has been linked to the regulation of repetitive behavior in both animal models and humans, but many of its downstream targets have still to be found. We report that the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) system is a target of the oxytocin system in regulating one repetitive behavior, marble burying. First we report that nearly 60% of MCH neurons express oxytocin receptors, and demonstrate using rabies mediated tract tracing that MCH neurons receive direct presynaptic input from oxytocin neurons. Then we show that MCH receptor knockout (MCHR1KO) mice and MCH ablated animals display increased marble burying response while central MCH infusion decreases it. Finally, we demonstrate the downstream role of the MCH system on oxytocin mediated marble burying by showing that central infusions of MCH and oxytocin alone or together reduce it while antagonizing the MCH system blocks oxytocin-mediated reduction of this behavior. Our findings reveal a novel role for the MCH system as a mediator of the role of oxytocin in regulating marble-burying behavior in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayna M Sanathara
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Celia Garau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Amal Alachkar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Lien Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 1-1 Tsutsumidori-Amamiyamachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 981-8555, Japan
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Olivier Civelli
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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12
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Shpigler HY, Saul MC, Corona F, Block L, Cash Ahmed A, Zhao SD, Robinson GE. Deep evolutionary conservation of autism-related genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:9653-9658. [PMID: 28760967 PMCID: PMC5594688 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708127114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
E. O. Wilson proposed in Sociobiology that similarities between human and animal societies reflect common mechanistic and evolutionary roots. When introduced in 1975, this controversial hypothesis was beyond science's ability to test. We used genomic analyses to determine whether superficial behavioral similarities in humans and the highly social honey bee reflect common molecular mechanisms. Here, we report that gene expression signatures for individual bees unresponsive to various salient social stimuli are significantly enriched for autism spectrum disorder-related genes. These signatures occur in the mushroom bodies, a high-level integration center of the insect brain. Furthermore, our finding of enrichment was unique to autism spectrum disorders; brain gene expression signatures from other honey bee behaviors do not show this enrichment, nor do datasets from other human behavioral and health conditions. These results demonstrate deep conservation for genes associated with a human social pathology and individual differences in insect social behavior, thus providing an example of how comparative genomics can be used to test sociobiological theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagai Y Shpigler
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Michael C Saul
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Frida Corona
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Lindsey Block
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Amy Cash Ahmed
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Sihai D Zhao
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Gene E Robinson
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801;
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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13
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Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein MBD1 Regulates Neuronal Lineage Commitment through Maintaining Adult Neural Stem Cell Identity. J Neurosci 2017; 37:523-536. [PMID: 28100736 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1075-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyl-CpG-binding domain 1 (MBD1) belongs to a family of methyl-CpG-binding proteins that are epigenetic "readers" linking DNA methylation to transcriptional regulation. MBD1 is expressed in neural stem cells residing in the dentate gyrus of the adult hippocampus (aNSCs) and MBD1 deficiency leads to reduced neuronal differentiation, impaired neurogenesis, learning deficits, and autism-like behaviors in mice; however, the precise function of MBD1 in aNSCs remains unexplored. Here, we show that MBD1 is important for maintaining the integrity and stemness of NSCs, which is critical for their ability to generate neurons. MBD1 deficiency leads to the accumulation of undifferentiated NSCs and impaired transition into the neuronal lineage. Transcriptome analysis of neural stem and progenitor cells isolated directly from the dentate gyrus of MBD1 mutant (KO) and WT mice showed that gene sets related to cell differentiation, particularly astrocyte lineage genes, were upregulated in KO cells. We further demonstrated that, in NSCs, MBD1 binds and represses directly specific genes associated with differentiation. Our results suggest that MBD1 maintains the multipotency of NSCs by restraining the onset of differentiation genes and that untimely expression of these genes in MBD1-deficient stem cells may interfere with normal cell lineage commitment and cause the accumulation of undifferentiated cells. Our data reveal a novel role for MBD1 in stem cell maintenance and provide insight into how epigenetic regulation contributes to adult neurogenesis and the potential impact of its dysregulation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) in the hippocampus self-renew and generate neurons throughout life. We show that methyl-CpG-binding domain 1 (MBD1), a DNA methylation "reader," is important for maintaining the integrity of NSCs, which is critical for their neurogenic potency. Our data reveal a novel role for MBD1 in stem cell maintenance and provide insight into how epigenetic regulation preserves the multipotency of stem cells for subsequent differentiation.
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14
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Bao W, Greenwold MJ, Sawyer RH. Using scale and feather traits for module construction provides a functional approach to chicken epidermal development. Funct Integr Genomics 2017; 17:641-651. [PMID: 28477104 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-017-0561-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Gene co-expression network analysis has been a research method widely used in systematically exploring gene function and interaction. Using the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) approach to construct a gene co-expression network using data from a customized 44K microarray transcriptome of chicken epidermal embryogenesis, we have identified two distinct modules that are highly correlated with scale or feather development traits. Signaling pathways related to feather development were enriched in the traditional KEGG pathway analysis and functional terms relating specifically to embryonic epidermal development were also enriched in the Gene Ontology analysis. Significant enrichment annotations were discovered from customized enrichment tools such as Modular Single-Set Enrichment Test (MSET) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Hub genes in both trait-correlated modules showed strong specific functional enrichment toward epidermal development. Also, regulatory elements, such as transcription factors and miRNAs, were targeted in the significant enrichment result. This work highlights the advantage of this methodology for functional prediction of genes not previously associated with scale- and feather trait-related modules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weier Bao
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Matthew J Greenwold
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Roger H Sawyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
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15
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Gao Y, Wang F, Eisinger BE, Kelnhofer LE, Jobe EM, Zhao X. Integrative Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Molecular Networks Defining Neuronal Maturation During Postnatal Neurogenesis. Cereb Cortex 2017; 27:2064-2077. [PMID: 26989163 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian hippocampus, new neurons are continuously produced from neural stem cells throughout life. This postnatal neurogenesis may contribute to information processing critical for cognition, adaptation, learning, and memory, and is implicated in numerous neurological disorders. During neurogenesis, the immature neuron stage defined by doublecortin (DCX) expression is the most sensitive to regulation by extrinsic factors. However, little is known about the dynamic biology within this critical interval that drives maturation and confers susceptibility to regulatory signals. This study aims to test the hypothesis that DCX-expressing immature neurons progress through developmental stages via activity of specific transcriptional networks. Using single-cell RNA-seq combined with a novel integrative bioinformatics approach, we discovered that individual immature neurons can be classified into distinct developmental subgroups based on characteristic gene expression profiles and subgroup-specific markers. Comparisons between immature and more mature subgroups revealed novel pathways involved in neuronal maturation. Genes enriched in less mature cells shared significant overlap with genes implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, while genes positively associated with neuronal maturation were enriched for autism-related gene sets. Our study thus discovers molecular signatures of individual immature neurons and unveils potential novel targets for therapeutic approaches to treat neurodevelopmental and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Feifei Wang
- Waisman Center.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institutes of Brain Science, the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | | | | | - Emily M Jobe
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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16
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Pereira M. Structural and Functional Plasticity in the Maternal Brain Circuitry. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 2017; 2016:23-46. [PMID: 27589496 DOI: 10.1002/cad.20163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Parenting recruits a distributed network of brain structures (and neuromodulators) that coordinates caregiving responses attuned to the young's affect, needs, and developmental stage. Many of these structures and connections undergo significant structural and functional plasticity, mediated by the interplay between maternal hormones and social experience while the reciprocal relationship between the mother and her infant forms and develops. These alterations account for the remarkable behavioral plasticity of mothers. This review will examine the molecular and neurobiological modulation and plasticity through which parenting develops and adjusts in new mothers, primarily discussing recent findings in nonhuman animals. A better understanding of how parenting impacts the brain at the molecular, cellular, systems/network, and behavioral levels is likely to significantly contribute to novel strategies for treating postpartum neuropsychiatric disorders in new mothers, and critical for both the mother's physiological and mental health and the development and well-being of her young.
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17
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Maschietto M, Rodrigues TC, Kashiwabara AY, de Araujo ÉSS, Marques Aguiar TF, da Costa CML, da Cunha IW, Dos Reis Vasques L, Cypriano M, Brentani H, de Toledo SRC, Pearson PL, Carraro DM, Rosenberg C, Krepischi ACV. DNA methylation landscape of hepatoblastomas reveals arrest at early stages of liver differentiation and cancer-related alterations. Oncotarget 2016; 8:97871-97889. [PMID: 29228658 PMCID: PMC5716698 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatoblastomas are uncommon embryonal liver tumors accounting for approximately 80% of childhood hepatic cancer. We hypothesized that epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, could be relevant to hepatoblastoma onset. The methylomes of eight matched hepatoblastomas and non-tumoral liver tissues were characterized, and data were validated in an independent group (11 hepatoblastomas). In comparison to differentiated livers, hepatoblastomas exhibited a widespread and non-stochastic pattern of global low-level hypomethylation. The analysis revealed 1,359 differentially methylated CpG sites (DMSs) between hepatoblastomas and control livers, which are associated with 765 genes. Hypomethylation was detected in hepatoblastomas for ~58% of the DMSs with enrichment at intergenic sites, and most of the hypermethylated CpGs were located in CpG islands. Functional analyses revealed enrichment in signaling pathways involved in metabolism, negative regulation of cell differentiation, liver development, cancer, and Wnt signaling pathway. Strikingly, an important overlap was observed between the 1,359 DMSs and the CpG sites reported to exhibit methylation changes through liver development (p<0.0001), with similar patterns of methylation in both hepatoblastomas and fetal livers compared to adult livers. Overall, our results suggest an arrest at early stages of liver cell differentiation, in line with the hypothesis that hepatoblastoma ontogeny involves the disruption of liver development. This genome-wide methylation dysfunction, taken together with a relatively small number of driver genetic mutations reported for both adult and pediatric liver cancers, shed light on the relevance of epigenetic mechanisms for hepatic tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Maschietto
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Cristina Rodrigues
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Luciana Dos Reis Vasques
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica Cypriano
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Oncology Institute (GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helena Brentani
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Peter Lees Pearson
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dirce Maria Carraro
- International Research Center, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Rosenberg
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana C V Krepischi
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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Gammie SC, Driessen TM, Zhao C, Saul MC, Eisinger BE. Genetic and neuroendocrine regulation of the postpartum brain. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 42:1-17. [PMID: 27184829 PMCID: PMC5030130 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Changes in expression of hundreds of genes occur during the production and function of the maternal brain that support a wide range of processes. In this review, we synthesize findings from four microarray studies of different maternal brain regions and identify a core group of 700 maternal genes that show significant expression changes across multiple regions. With those maternal genes, we provide new insights into reward-related pathways (maternal bonding), postpartum depression, social behaviors, mental health disorders, and nervous system plasticity/developmental events. We also integrate the new genes into well-studied maternal signaling pathways, including those for prolactin, oxytocin/vasopressin, endogenous opioids, and steroid receptors (estradiol, progesterone, cortisol). A newer transcriptional regulation model for the maternal brain is provided that incorporates recent work on maternal microRNAs. We also compare the top 700 genes with other maternal gene expression studies. Together, we highlight new genes and new directions for studies on the postpartum brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Gammie
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Terri M Driessen
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Changjiu Zhao
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael C Saul
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brian E Eisinger
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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19
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Saul MC, Zhao C, Driessen TM, Eisinger BE, Gammie SC. MicroRNA expression is altered in lateral septum across reproductive stages. Neuroscience 2015; 312:130-40. [PMID: 26592715 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) inhibit RNA targets and may contribute to postpartum central nervous system (CNS) gene expression changes, although this has never been tested. In the present study, we directly evaluated miRNA levels using RNA sequencing during reproduction in female mice in the lateral septum (LS). We found the reliable and robust changes of miRNAs away from the virgin stage at the three other stages, namely pregnant, day 1 postpartum, and day 8 postpartum. For a given miRNA that was significantly different from the virgin condition in more than one group, the direction of change was always the same. Overall, we identified 32 upregulated miRNAs and 25 downregulated miRNAs that were consistently different from the virgin state. 'Arm switching' occurs for miR-433-3 and miR-7b. Unexpectedly, a third of upregulated miRNAs (relative to virgin) were highly localized within the 12qF1 region of chromosome 12 that includes the Dlk1-Dio3 gene cluster implicated in stem cell and neuronal differentiation. Over 1500 genes were targeted by multiple upregulated miRNAs with about 100 genes targeted by five or more miRNAs. Over 1000 genes were targeted by multiple downregulated miRNAs with about 50 genes targeted by five or more miRNAs. Half of the target genes were regulated by up and downregulated miRNAs, indicating homeostatic regulation. Transcriptional regulation was the most enriched pathway for genes linked to up or down regulated miRNAs. Other enriched pathways included protein kinase activity (e.g., MAP kinase), CNS development, axon guidance, neurotrophin signaling, neuron development/differentiation, and neurogenesis. Previously published postpartum LS gene expression changes were enrichment for LS miRNA targets, as expected. Surprisingly, postpartum gene expression changes from other regions were also enriched against LS miRNA targets, suggesting a core group of miRNAs may act across the CNS during reproduction. Together, we directly examine miRNAs and find significant alterations in the postpartum brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Saul
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - C Zhao
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - T M Driessen
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - B E Eisinger
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - S C Gammie
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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20
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Maschietto M, Tahira AC, Puga R, Lima L, Mariani D, Paulsen BDS, Belmonte-de-Abreu P, Vieira H, Krepischi AC, Carraro DM, Palha JA, Rehen S, Brentani H. Co-expression network of neural-differentiation genes shows specific pattern in schizophrenia. BMC Med Genomics 2015; 8:23. [PMID: 25981335 PMCID: PMC4493810 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-015-0098-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis, although the mechanism is unknown due to the difficulties in accessing diseased tissue during human neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to find neuronal differentiation genes disrupted in schizophrenia and to evaluate those genes in post-mortem brain tissues from schizophrenia cases and controls. Methods We analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEG), copy number variation (CNV) and differential methylation in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) derived from fibroblasts from one control and one schizophrenia patient and further differentiated into neuron (NPC). Expression of the DEG were analyzed with microarrays of post-mortem brain tissue (frontal cortex) cohort of 29 schizophrenia cases and 30 controls. A Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) using the DEG was used to detect clusters of co-expressed genes that werenon-conserved between adult cases and controls brain samples. Results We identified methylation alterations potentially involved with neuronal differentiation in schizophrenia, which displayed an over-representation of genes related to chromatin remodeling complex (adjP = 0.04). We found 228 DEG associated with neuronal differentiation. These genes were involved with metabolic processes, signal transduction, nervous system development, regulation of neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation. Between adult brain samples from cases and controls there were 233 DEG, with only four genes overlapping with the 228 DEG, probably because we compared single cell to tissue bulks and more importantly, the cells were at different stages of development. The comparison of the co-expressed network of the 228 genes in adult brain samples between cases and controls revealed a less conserved module enriched for genes associated with oxidative stress and negative regulation of cell differentiation. Conclusion This study supports the relevance of using cellular approaches to dissect molecular aspects of neurogenesis with impact in the schizophrenic brain. We showed that, although generated by different approaches, both sets of DEG associated to schizophrenia were involved with neocortical development. The results add to the hypothesis that critical metabolic changes may be occurring during early neurodevelopment influencing faulty development of the brain and potentially contributing to further vulnerability to the illness. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-015-0098-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Maschietto
- LIM23 (Medical Investigation Laboratory 23), University of Sao Paulo Medical School (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. .,Institute of Psychiatry-University of Sao Paulo, Medical School (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana C Tahira
- LIM23 (Medical Investigation Laboratory 23), University of Sao Paulo Medical School (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. .,Institute of Psychiatry-University of Sao Paulo, Medical School (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Renato Puga
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Leandro Lima
- Post-graduation Program Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Mariani
- Post-graduation Program Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Henrique Vieira
- Post-graduation Program Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana Cv Krepischi
- Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Dirce M Carraro
- International Research Center-AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Joana A Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. .,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Stevens Rehen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Helena Brentani
- LIM23 (Medical Investigation Laboratory 23), University of Sao Paulo Medical School (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. .,Institute of Psychiatry-University of Sao Paulo, Medical School (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School (FMUSP), Rua Dr Ovídio Pires de Campos,785-CEP 05403-010, São Paulo, SP, Caixa Postal n 3671, Brazil. .,National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents, CNPq, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Babb JA, Deligiannidis KM, Murgatroyd CA, Nephew BC. Peripartum depression and anxiety as an integrative cross domain target for psychiatric preventative measures. Behav Brain Res 2015; 276:32-44. [PMID: 24709228 PMCID: PMC4185260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to high levels of early life stress has been identified as a potent risk factor for neurodevelopmental delays in infants, behavioral problems and autism in children, but also for several psychiatric illnesses in adulthood, such as depression, anxiety, autism, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Despite having robust adverse effects on both mother and infant, the pathophysiology of peripartum depression and anxiety are poorly understood. The objective of this review is to highlight the advantages of using an integrated approach addressing several behavioral domains in both animal and clinical studies of peripartum depression and anxiety. It is postulated that a greater focus on integrated cross domain studies will lead to advances in treatments and preventative measures for several disorders associated with peripartum depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Babb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
| | - Kristina M Deligiannidis
- Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | | | - Benjamin C Nephew
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
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Pletscher-Frankild S, Pallejà A, Tsafou K, Binder JX, Jensen LJ. DISEASES: text mining and data integration of disease-gene associations. Methods 2014; 74:83-9. [PMID: 25484339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2014.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 332] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Text mining is a flexible technology that can be applied to numerous different tasks in biology and medicine. We present a system for extracting disease-gene associations from biomedical abstracts. The system consists of a highly efficient dictionary-based tagger for named entity recognition of human genes and diseases, which we combine with a scoring scheme that takes into account co-occurrences both within and between sentences. We show that this approach is able to extract half of all manually curated associations with a false positive rate of only 0.16%. Nonetheless, text mining should not stand alone, but be combined with other types of evidence. For this reason, we have developed the DISEASES resource, which integrates the results from text mining with manually curated disease-gene associations, cancer mutation data, and genome-wide association studies from existing databases. The DISEASES resource is accessible through a web interface at http://diseases.jensenlab.org/, where the text-mining software and all associations are also freely available for download.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sune Pletscher-Frankild
- Department of Disease Systems Biology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Albert Pallejà
- Department of Disease Systems Biology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kalliopi Tsafou
- Department of Disease Systems Biology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janos X Binder
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany; Bioinformatics Core Facility, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Lars Juhl Jensen
- Department of Disease Systems Biology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Zhao C, Eisinger BE, Driessen TM, Gammie SC. Addiction and reward-related genes show altered expression in the postpartum nucleus accumbens. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:388. [PMID: 25414651 PMCID: PMC4220701 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Motherhood involves a switch in natural rewards, whereby offspring become highly rewarding. Nucleus accumbens (NAC) is a key CNS region for natural rewards and addictions, but to date no study has evaluated on a large scale the events in NAC that underlie the maternal change in natural rewards. In this study we utilized microarray and bioinformatics approaches to evaluate postpartum NAC gene expression changes in mice. Modular Single-set Enrichment Test (MSET) indicated that postpartum (relative to virgin) NAC gene expression profile was significantly enriched for genes related to addiction and reward in five of five independently curated databases (e.g., Malacards, Phenopedia). Over 100 addiction/reward related genes were identified and these included: Per1, Per2, Arc, Homer2, Creb1, Grm3, Fosb, Gabrb3, Adra2a, Ntrk2, Cry1, Penk, Cartpt, Adcy1, Npy1r, Htr1a, Drd1a, Gria1, and Pdyn. ToppCluster analysis found maternal NAC expression profile to be significantly enriched for genes related to the drug action of nicotine, ketamine, and dronabinol. Pathway analysis indicated postpartum NAC as enriched for RNA processing, CNS development/differentiation, and transcriptional regulation. Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified possible networks for transcription factors, including Nr1d1, Per2, Fosb, Egr1, and Nr4a1. The postpartum state involves increased risk for mental health disorders and MSET analysis indicated postpartum NAC to be enriched for genes related to depression, bipolar disorder (BPD), and schizophrenia. Mental health related genes included: Fabp7, Grm3, Penk, and Nr1d1. We confirmed via quantitative PCR Nr1d1, Per2, Grm3, Penk, Drd1a, and Pdyn. This study indicates for the first time that postpartum NAC involves large scale gene expression alterations linked to addiction and reward. Because the postpartum state also involves decreased response to drugs, the findings could provide insights into how to mitigate addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjiu Zhao
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
| | | | - Terri M. Driessen
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
| | - Stephen C. Gammie
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
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Eisinger BE, Driessen TM, Zhao C, Gammie SC. Medial prefrontal cortex: genes linked to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have altered expression in the highly social maternal phenotype. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:110. [PMID: 24765068 PMCID: PMC3980118 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition to motherhood involves CNS changes that modify sociability and affective state. However, these changes also put females at risk for post-partum depression and psychosis, which impairs parenting abilities and adversely affects children. Thus, changes in expression and interactions in a core subset of genes may be critical for emergence of a healthy maternal phenotype, but inappropriate changes of the same genes could put women at risk for post-partum disorders. This study evaluated microarray gene expression changes in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a region implicated in both maternal behavior and psychiatric disorders. Post-partum mice were compared to virgin controls housed with females and isolated for identical durations. Using the Modular Single-set Enrichment Test (MSET), we found that the genetic landscape of maternal mPFC bears statistical similarity to gene databases associated with schizophrenia (5 of 5 sets) and bipolar disorder (BPD, 3 of 3 sets). In contrast to previous studies of maternal lateral septum (LS) and medial preoptic area (MPOA), enrichment of autism and depression-linked genes was not significant (2 of 9 sets, 0 of 4 sets). Among genes linked to multiple disorders were fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7), glutamate metabotropic receptor 3 (Grm3), platelet derived growth factor, beta polypeptide (Pdgfrb), and nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 1 (Nr1d1). RT-qPCR confirmed these gene changes as well as FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt1) and proenkephalin (Penk). Systems-level methods revealed involvement of developmental gene networks in establishing the maternal phenotype and indirectly suggested a role for numerous microRNAs and transcription factors in mediating expression changes. Together, this study suggests that a subset of genes involved in shaping the healthy maternal brain may also be dysregulated in mental health disorders and put females at risk for post-partum psychosis with aspects of schizophrenia and BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian E Eisinger
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
| | - Terri M Driessen
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
| | - Changjiu Zhao
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
| | - Stephen C Gammie
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA ; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA
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Driessen TM, Eisinger BE, Zhao C, Stevenson SA, Saul MC, Gammie SC. Genes showing altered expression in the medial preoptic area in the highly social maternal phenotype are related to autism and other disorders with social deficits. BMC Neurosci 2014; 15:11. [PMID: 24423034 PMCID: PMC3906749 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-15-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The mother-child relationship is the most fundamental social bond in mammals, and previous studies indicate that the medial preoptic area (MPOA) contributes to this increase in sociability. It is possible that the same genes that lead to elevated sociability in one condition (the maternal state) might also be dysregulated in some disorders with social deficits (e.g. autism). In this study, we examined whether there was enrichment (greater than chance overlap) for social deficit disorder related genes in MPOA microarray results between virgin and postpartum female mice. We utilized microarrays to assess large scale gene expression changes in the MPOA of virgin and postpartum mice. The Modular Single Set Enrichment Test (MSET) was used to determine if mental health disorder related genes were enriched in significant microarray results. Additional resources, such as ToppCluster, NIH DAVID, and weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to analyze enrichment for specific gene clusters or indirect relationships between significant genes of interest. Finally, a subset of microarray results was validated using quantitative PCR. Results Significant postpartum MPOA microarray results were enriched for multiple disorders that include social deficits, including autism, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Together, 98 autism-related genes were identified from the significant microarray results. Further, ToppCluser and NIH DAVID identified a large number of postpartum genes related to ion channel activity and CNS development, and also suggested a role for microRNAs in regulating maternal gene expression. WGCNA identified a module of genes associated with the postpartum phenotype, and identified indirect links between transcription factors and other genes of interest. Conclusion The transition to the maternal state involves great CNS plasticity and increased sociability. We identified multiple novel genes that overlap between the postpartum MPOA (high sociability) and mental health disorders with low sociability. Thus, the activity or interactions of the same genes may be altering social behaviors in different directions in different conditions. Maternity also involves elevated risks for disorders, including depression, psychosis, and BPD, so identification of maternal genes common to these disorders may provide insights into the elevated vulnerability of the maternal brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri M Driessen
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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