1
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Jiang Y, Xu L, Cao Y, Meng F, Jiang S, Yang M, Zheng Z, Zhang Y, Yang L, Wang M, Sun G, Liu J, Li C, Cui M. Effects of Interleukin-19 overexpression in the medial prefrontal cortex on anxiety-related behaviors, BDNF expression and p38/JNK/ERK pathways. Brain Res Bull 2024; 212:110952. [PMID: 38636611 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety is a prevalent mental illness known for its high incidence, comorbidity, and tendency to recur, posing significant societal and individual burdens. Studies have highlighted Interleukin-19 (IL-19) as having potential relevance in neuropsychiatric disorders. Our previous research revealed that IL-19 overexpression in colonies exacerbated anxiety-related behaviors induced by dextran sodium sulfate/stress. However, the precise role and molecular mechanisms of IL-19 in anxiety regulation remain uncertain. In this study, we initiated an acute restraint stress (ARS)-induced anxious mouse model and identified heightened expression of IL-19 and IL-20Rα in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of ARS mice. Notably, IL-19 and IL-20Rα were predominantly present in the excitatory pyramidal neurons of the mPFC under both basal and ARS conditions. Utilizing the adeno-associated virus (AAV) strategy, we demonstrated that IL-19 overexpression in the mPFC induced anxiety-related behaviors and elevated stress susceptibility. Additionally, we observed decreased protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the mPFC of IL-19 overexpression mice, accompanied by reduced phosphorylation of in the p38, JNK, and Erk signaling pathways. These findings emphasize the role of IL-19 in modulating anxiety-related behaviors within the mPFC and suggest its potential as a pathological gene and therapeutic target for anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Lihong Xu
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Yifan Cao
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Fantao Meng
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Shujun Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Binzhou Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Mengyu Yang
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Ziteng Zheng
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Meiqin Wang
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Department of Physiology, Binzhou Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Guizhi Sun
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China.
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China.
| | - Minghu Cui
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China; Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China.
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2
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Arzate-Mejia RG, Carullo NVN, Mansuy IM. The epigenome under pressure: On regulatory adaptation to chronic stress in the brain. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 84:102832. [PMID: 38141414 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress (CS) can have long-lasting consequences on behavior and cognition, that are associated with stable changes in gene expression in the brain. Recent work has examined the role of the epigenome in the effects of CS on the brain. This review summarizes experimental evidence in rodents showing that CS can alter the epigenome and the expression of epigenetic modifiers in brain cells, and critically assesses their functional effect on genome function. It discusses the influence of the developmental time of stress exposure on the type of epigenetic changes, and proposes new lines of research that can help clarify these changes and their causal involvement in the impact of CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo G Arzate-Mejia
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/RodrigoArzt
| | - Nancy V N Carullo
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/DrNancyCarullo
| | - Isabelle M Mansuy
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland.
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3
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Spinieli RL, Cazuza R, Sales AJ, Carolino R, Franci JA, Tajerian M, Leite-Panissi CRA. Acute restraint stress regulates brain DNMT3a and promotes defensive behaviors in male rats. Neurosci Lett 2024; 820:137589. [PMID: 38101612 PMCID: PMC10947420 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Depending on its duration and severity, stress may contribute to neuropsychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that stress impacts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, but its downstream molecular, behavioral, and nociceptive effects remain unclear. We hypothesized that a 2-hour single exposure to acute restraint stress (ARS) activates the HPA axis and changes DNA methylation, a molecular mechanism involved in the machinery of stress regulation. We further hypothesized that ARS induces anxiety-like and risk assessment behavior and alters nociceptive responses in the rat. We employed biochemical (radioimmunoassay for corticosterone; global DNA methylation by enzyme immunoassay and western blot for DNMT3a expression in the amygdala, ventral hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex) and behavioral (elevated plus maze and dark-light box for anxiety and hot plate test for nociception) tests in adult male Wistar rats exposed to ARS or handling (control). All analyses were performed 24 h after ARS or handling. We found that ARS increased corticosterone levels in the blood, increased the expression of DNMT3a in the prefrontal cortex, promoted anxiety-like and risk assessment behaviors in the elevated plus maze, and increased the nociceptive threshold observed in the hot plate test. Our findings suggest that ARS might be a helpful rat model for studying acute stress and its effects on physiology, epigenetic machinery, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Spinieli
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Cazuza
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda J Sales
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ruither Carolino
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Janete A Franci
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maral Tajerian
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, United States; The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christie R A Leite-Panissi
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Science and Literature of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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4
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Byun YG, Kim NS, Kim G, Jeon YS, Choi JB, Park CW, Kim K, Jang H, Kim J, Kim E, Han YM, Yoon KJ, Lee SH, Chung WS. Stress induces behavioral abnormalities by increasing expression of phagocytic receptor MERTK in astrocytes to promote synapse phagocytosis. Immunity 2023; 56:2105-2120.e13. [PMID: 37527657 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Childhood neglect and/or abuse can induce mental health conditions with unknown mechanisms. Here, we identified stress hormones as strong inducers of astrocyte-mediated synapse phagocytosis. Using in vitro, in vivo, and human brain organoid experiments, we showed that stress hormones increased the expression of the Mertk phagocytic receptor in astrocytes through glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In post-natal mice, exposure to early social deprivation (ESD) specifically activated the GR-MERTK pathway in astrocytes, but not in microglia. The excitatory post-synaptic density in cortical regions was reduced in ESD mice, and there was an increase in the astrocytic engulfment of these synapses. The loss of excitatory synapses, abnormal neuronal network activities, and behavioral abnormalities in ESD mice were largely prevented by ablating GR or MERTK in astrocytes. Our work reveals the critical roles of astrocytic GR-MERTK activation in evoking stress-induced abnormal behaviors in mice, suggesting GR-MERTK signaling as a therapeutic target for stress-induced mental health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youkyeong Gloria Byun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Shik Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyuri Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi-Seon Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Bin Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Woo Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungdeok Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsoo Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinkyeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Mahn Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Jun Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hee Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Suk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Xie L, Zhang X, Xie J, Xu Y, Li XJ, Lin L. Emerging Roles for DNA 6mA and RNA m6A Methylation in Mammalian Genome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13897. [PMID: 37762200 PMCID: PMC10531503 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic methylation has been shown to play an important role in transcriptional regulation and disease pathogenesis. Recent advancements in detection techniques have identified DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) and RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) as methylation modifications at the sixth position of adenine in DNA and RNA, respectively. While the distributions and functions of 6mA and m6A have been extensively studied in prokaryotes, their roles in the mammalian brain, where they are enriched, are still not fully understood. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current research progress on 6mA and m6A, as well as their associated writers, erasers, and readers at both DNA and RNA levels. Specifically, we focus on the potential roles of 6mA and m6A in the fundamental biological pathways of the mammalian genome and highlight the significant regulatory functions of 6mA in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Li Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (L.X.); (X.Z.); (J.X.); (Y.X.); (X.-J.L.)
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6
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Zhao T, Piao LH, Li DP, Xu SH, Wang SY, Yuan HB, Zhang CX. BDNF gene hydroxymethylation in hippocampus related to neuroinflammation-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. J Affect Disord 2023; 323:723-730. [PMID: 36529411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation is a multifactorial condition related to glial cells and neurons activation, and it is implicated in CNS disorders including depression. BDNF is a crucial molecule that related to the pathology of depression, and it is the target of DNA methylation. DNA hydroxymethylation, an active demethylation process can convert 5-mC to 5-hmC by Tets catalyzation to regulate gene transcription. The regulatory function for BDNF gene in response to neuroinflammation remains poorly understood. METHODS Neuroinflammation and depressive-like behaviors were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in mice. The microglial activation and cellular 5-hmC localization in the hippocampus were confirmed by immunostaining. The transcripts of Tets and BDNF were examined by qPCR method. The global 5-hmC levels and enrichment of 5-hmC in BDNF gene in the hippocampus were analyzed using dot bolt and hMeDIP-sequencing analysis. RESULTS LPS administration induced a spectrum of depression-like behaviors (including behavioral despair and anhedonia) and increased expression of Iba-1, a marker for microglia activation, in hippocampus, demonstrating that LPS treatment cloud provide stable model of neuroinflammation with depressive-like behaviors as expected. Our results showed that Tet1, Tet2 and Tet3 mRNA expressions and consequent global 5-hmC levels were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of LPS group compared to saline group. We also demonstrated that 5-hmC fluorescence in the hippocampus located in excitatory neurons identified by CaMK II immunostaining. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the enrichment of 5-hmC in BDNF gene was decreased and corresponding BDNF mRNA was down-regulated in the hippocampus in LPS group compared to saline group. CONCLUSION Neuroinflammation-triggered aberrant BDNF gene hydroxymethylation in the hippocampus is an important epigenetic element that relates with depression-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te Zhao
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Lian-Hua Piao
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Dan-Ping Li
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Shi-Han Xu
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Shu-Yi Wang
- The Second Bethune Clinical Medical College of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Hai-Bo Yuan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Sleep Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China.
| | - Chun-Xiao Zhang
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China.
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7
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Fu MP, Merrill SM, Sharma M, Gibson WT, Turvey SE, Kobor MS. Rare diseases of epigenetic origin: Challenges and opportunities. Front Genet 2023; 14:1113086. [PMID: 36814905 PMCID: PMC9939656 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1113086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare diseases (RDs), more than 80% of which have a genetic origin, collectively affect approximately 350 million people worldwide. Progress in next-generation sequencing technology has both greatly accelerated the pace of discovery of novel RDs and provided more accurate means for their diagnosis. RDs that are driven by altered epigenetic regulation with an underlying genetic basis are referred to as rare diseases of epigenetic origin (RDEOs). These diseases pose unique challenges in research, as they often show complex genetic and clinical heterogeneity arising from unknown gene-disease mechanisms. Furthermore, multiple other factors, including cell type and developmental time point, can confound attempts to deconvolute the pathophysiology of these disorders. These challenges are further exacerbated by factors that contribute to epigenetic variability and the difficulty of collecting sufficient participant numbers in human studies. However, new molecular and bioinformatics techniques will provide insight into how these disorders manifest over time. This review highlights recent studies addressing these challenges with innovative solutions. Further research will elucidate the mechanisms of action underlying unique RDEOs and facilitate the discovery of treatments and diagnostic biomarkers for screening, thereby improving health trajectories and clinical outcomes of affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie P. Fu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah M. Merrill
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mehul Sharma
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William T. Gibson
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stuart E. Turvey
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael S. Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada,*Correspondence: Michael S. Kobor,
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8
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Nanni AV, Martinez N, Graze R, Morse A, Newman JRB, Jain V, Vlaho S, Signor S, Nuzhdin SV, Renne R, McIntyre LM. Sex-biased expression is associated with chromatin state in D. melanogaster and D. simulans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.13.523946. [PMID: 36711631 PMCID: PMC9882225 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.13.523946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
We propose a new model for the association of chromatin state and sex-bias in expression. We hypothesize enrichment of open chromatin in the sex where we see expression bias (OS) and closed chromatin in the opposite sex (CO). In this study of D. melanogaster and D. simulans head tissue, sex-bias in expression is associated with H3K4me3 (open mark) in males for male-biased genes and in females for female-biased genes in both species. Sex-bias in expression is also largely conserved in direction and magnitude between the two species on the X and autosomes. In male-biased orthologs, the sex-bias ratio is more divergent between species if both species have H3K27me2me3 marks in females compared to when either or neither species has H3K27me2me3 in females. H3K27me2me3 marks in females are associated with male-bias in expression on the autosomes in both species, but on the X only in D. melanogaster . In female-biased orthologs the relationship between the species for the sex-bias ratio is similar regardless of the H3K27me2me3 marks in males. Female-biased orthologs are more similar in the ratio of sex-bias than male-biased orthologs and there is an excess of male-bias in expression in orthologs that gain/lose sex-bias. There is an excess of male-bias in sex-limited expression in both species suggesting excess male-bias is due to rapid evolution between the species. The X chromosome has an enrichment in male-limited H3K4me3 in both species and an enrichment of sex-bias in expression compared to the autosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adalena V Nanni
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Natalie Martinez
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Rita Graze
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Alison Morse
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jeremy R B Newman
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Vaibhav Jain
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Srna Vlaho
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Signor
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Sergey V Nuzhdin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rolf Renne
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lauren M McIntyre
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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9
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Cabana-Domínguez J, Antón-Galindo E, Fernàndez-Castillo N, Singgih EL, O'Leary A, Norton WH, Strekalova T, Schenck A, Reif A, Lesch KP, Slattery D, Cormand B. The translational genetics of ADHD and related phenotypes in model organisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104949. [PMID: 36368527 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. It is well known that ADHD co-occurs frequently with other psychiatric disorders due, in part, to shared genetics factors. Although many studies have contributed to delineate the genetic landscape of psychiatric disorders, their specific molecular underpinnings are still not fully understood. The use of animal models can help us to understand the role of specific genes and environmental stimuli-induced epigenetic modifications in the pathogenesis of ADHD and its comorbidities. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the functional work performed in rodents, zebrafish and fruit fly and highlight the generated insights into the biology of ADHD, with a special focus on genetics and epigenetics. We also describe the behavioral tests that are available to study ADHD-relevant phenotypes and comorbid traits in these models. Furthermore, we have searched for new models to study ADHD and its comorbidities, which can be useful to test potential pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Cabana-Domínguez
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Ester Antón-Galindo
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Euginia L Singgih
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Aet O'Leary
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - William Hg Norton
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, and Department of Neuropsychology and Psychiatry, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, and Department of Neuropsychology and Psychiatry, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - David Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
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10
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Micale V, Di Bartolomeo M, Di Martino S, Stark T, Dell'Osso B, Drago F, D'Addario C. Are the epigenetic changes predictive of therapeutic efficacy for psychiatric disorders? A translational approach towards novel drug targets. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 241:108279. [PMID: 36103902 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The etiopathogenesis of mental disorders is not fully understood and accumulating evidence support that clinical symptomatology cannot be assigned to a single gene mutation, but it involves several genetic factors. More specifically, a tight association between genes and environmental risk factors, which could be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, may play a role in the development of mental disorders. Several data suggest that epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, post-translational histone modification and interference of microRNA (miRNA) or long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) may modify the severity of the disease and the outcome of the therapy. Indeed, the study of these mechanisms may help to identify patients particularly vulnerable to mental disorders and may have potential utility as biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This article summarizes the most relevant preclinical and human data showing how epigenetic modifications can be central to the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant and/or antipsychotic agents, as possible predictor of drugs response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Scientific Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'Luigi Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Department of Mental Health, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Sarkisova K, van Luijtelaar G. The impact of early-life environment on absence epilepsy and neuropsychiatric comorbidities. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:436-468. [PMID: 36386598 PMCID: PMC9649966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the long-term effects of early-life environment on epileptogenesis, epilepsy, and neuropsychiatric comorbidities with an emphasis on the absence epilepsy. The WAG/Rij rat strain is a well-validated genetic model of absence epilepsy with mild depression-like (dysthymia) comorbidity. Although pathologic phenotype in WAG/Rij rats is genetically determined, convincing evidence presented in this review suggests that the absence epilepsy and depression-like comorbidity in WAG/Rij rats may be governed by early-life events, such as prenatal drug exposure, early-life stress, neonatal maternal separation, neonatal handling, maternal care, environmental enrichment, neonatal sensory impairments, neonatal tactile stimulation, and maternal diet. The data, as presented here, indicate that some early environmental events can promote and accelerate the development of absence seizures and their neuropsychiatric comorbidities, while others may exert anti-epileptogenic and disease-modifying effects. The early environment can lead to phenotypic alterations in offspring due to epigenetic modifications of gene expression, which may have maladaptive consequences or represent a therapeutic value. Targeting DNA methylation with a maternal methyl-enriched diet during the perinatal period appears to be a new preventive epigenetic anti-absence therapy. A number of caveats related to the maternal methyl-enriched diet and prospects for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Sarkisova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova str. 5a, Moscow 117485, Russia
| | - Gilles van Luijtelaar
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Donders Center for Cognition, Radboud University, Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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12
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Basavarajappa BS, Subbanna S. Molecular Insights into Epigenetics and Cannabinoid Receptors. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1560. [PMID: 36358910 PMCID: PMC9687363 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The actions of cannabis are mediated by G protein-coupled receptors that are part of an endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS). ECS consists of the naturally occurring ligands N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), their biosynthetic and degradative enzymes, and the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. Epigenetics are heritable changes that affect gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, transducing external stimuli in stable alterations of the DNA or chromatin structure. Cannabinoid receptors are crucial candidates for exploring their functions through epigenetic approaches due to their significant roles in health and diseases. Epigenetic changes usually promote alterations in the expression of genes and proteins that can be evaluated by various transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Despite the exponential growth of new evidence on the critical functions of cannabinoid receptors, much is still unknown regarding the contribution of various genetic and epigenetic factors that regulate cannabinoid receptor gene expression. Recent studies have identified several immediate and long-lasting epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, DNA-associated histone proteins, and RNA regulatory networks, in cannabinoid receptor function. Thus, they can offer solutions to many cellular, molecular, and behavioral impairments found after modulation of cannabinoid receptor activities. In this review, we discuss the significant research advances in different epigenetic factors contributing to the regulation of cannabinoid receptors and their functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. Increasing our understanding of the epigenetics of cannabinoid receptors will significantly advance our knowledge and could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and innovative treatment strategies for diseases associated with altered cannabinoid receptor functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balapal S. Basavarajappa
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shivakumar Subbanna
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
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13
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Wang X, Jiang L, Ma W, Zheng X, He E, Zhang B, Vashisth MK, Gong Z. Maternal separation affects Anxiety like behavior begin in adolescence continue through adulthood and related to Dnmt3a expression. J Neurophysiol 2022; 128:611-618. [PMID: 35946792 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00247.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life stress, including maternal separation, is among one of the main causes of anxiety in adolescents. DNA methyltransferase 3A (Dnmt3a) is a key molecule that regulates DNA methylation and is found to be associated with anxiety-like behavior. It is not clear whether maternal separation affects anxiety levels in mice at different developmental stages, or whether Dnmt3a plays a role in this process. Here, by using open field test to exploring the effect of maternal separation on anxiety-like behavior in mice of different age, it was found that maternal separation could successfully induce anxiety-like behavior in adolescent mice, and which continued through adulthood. By using western blot, we found the levels of Dnmt3a in the hippocampus and cortex have shown different trends in maternal separation mice on P17. Further, by using immunostaining, we have found that the expression levels of Dnmt3a in the cortex and hippocampus were significantly different, and decreased to varying degrees with the age of mice, which being the reason for different trends. Our results provide an experimental basis for further development of anxiety/depression treatment programs more suitable for adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Wang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Le Jiang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Wenhao Ma
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xiaoye Zheng
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Ershu He
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Bensi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Manoj Kumar Vashisth
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Zhiting Gong
- Department of Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
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14
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Li J, Pinto-Duarte A, Zander M, Cuoco MS, Lai CY, Osteen J, Fang L, Luo C, Lucero JD, Gomez-Castanon R, Nery JR, Silva-Garcia I, Pang Y, Sejnowski TJ, Powell SB, Ecker JR, Mukamel EA, Behrens MM. Dnmt3a knockout in excitatory neurons impairs postnatal synapse maturation and increases the repressive histone modification H3K27me3. eLife 2022; 11:e66909. [PMID: 35604009 PMCID: PMC9170249 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66909] [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: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two epigenetic pathways of transcriptional repression, DNA methylation and polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), are known to regulate neuronal development and function. However, their respective contributions to brain maturation are unknown. We found that conditional loss of the de novo DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a in mouse excitatory neurons altered expression of synapse-related genes, stunted synapse maturation, and impaired working memory and social interest. At the genomic level, loss of Dnmt3a abolished postnatal accumulation of CG and non-CG DNA methylation, leaving adult neurons with an unmethylated, fetal-like epigenomic pattern at ~222,000 genomic regions. The PRC2-associated histone modification, H3K27me3, increased at many of these sites. Our data support a dynamic interaction between two fundamental modes of epigenetic repression during postnatal maturation of excitatory neurons, which together confer robustness on neuronal regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Li
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Antonio Pinto-Duarte
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Mark Zander
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Michael S Cuoco
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Chi-Yu Lai
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Julia Osteen
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Linjing Fang
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Chongyuan Luo
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Jacinta D Lucero
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Rosa Gomez-Castanon
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Joseph R Nery
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Isai Silva-Garcia
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Yan Pang
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Terrence J Sejnowski
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Susan B Powell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Joseph R Ecker
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Eran A Mukamel
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - M Margarita Behrens
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
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15
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Sanacora G, Yan Z, Popoli M. The stressed synapse 2.0: pathophysiological mechanisms in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:86-103. [PMID: 34893785 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00540-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Stress is a primary risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders. Evidence from preclinical models and clinical studies of depression have revealed an array of structural and functional maladaptive changes, whereby adverse environmental factors shape the brain. These changes, observed from the molecular and transcriptional levels through to large-scale brain networks, to the behaviours reveal a complex matrix of interrelated pathophysiological processes that differ between sexes, providing insight into the potential underpinnings of the sex bias of neuropsychiatric disorders. Although many preclinical studies use chronic stress protocols, long-term changes are also induced by acute exposure to traumatic stress, opening a path to identify determinants of resilient versus susceptible responses to both acute and chronic stress. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression has emerged as a key player underlying the persistent impact of stress on the brain. Indeed, histone modification, DNA methylation and microRNAs are closely involved in many aspects of the stress response and reveal the glutamate system as a key player. The success of ketamine has stimulated a whole line of research and development on drugs directly or indirectly targeting glutamate function. However, the challenge of translating the emerging understanding of stress pathophysiology into effective clinical treatments remains a major challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Sanacora
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.
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16
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Reduction of DNMT3a and RORA in the nucleus accumbens plays a causal role in post-traumatic stress disorder-like behavior: reversal by combinatorial epigenetic therapy. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7481-7497. [PMID: 34253866 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01178-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an incapacitating trauma-related disorder, with no reliable therapy. Although PTSD has been associated with epigenetic alterations in peripheral white blood cells, it is unknown where such changes occur in the brain, and whether they play a causal role in PTSD. Using an animal PTSD model, we show distinct DNA methylation profiles of PTSD susceptibility in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Data analysis revealed overall hypomethylation of different genomic CG sites in susceptible animals. This was correlated with the reduction in expression levels of the DNA methyltransferase, DNMT3a. Since epigenetic changes in diseases involve different gene pathways, rather than single candidate genes, we next searched for pathways that may be involved in PTSD. Analysis of differentially methylated sites identified enrichment in the RAR activation and LXR/RXR activation pathways that regulate Retinoic Acid Receptor (RAR) Related Orphan Receptor A (RORA) activation. Intra-NAc injection of a lentiviral vector expressing either RORA or DNMT3a reversed PTSD-like behaviors while knockdown of RORA and DNMT3a increased PTSD-like behaviors. To translate our results into a potential pharmacological therapeutic strategy, we tested the effect of systemic treatment with the global methyl donor S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), for supplementing DNA methylation, or retinoic acid, for activating RORA downstream pathways. We found that combined treatment with the methyl donor SAM and retinoic acid reversed PTSD-like behaviors. Thus, our data point to a novel approach to the treatment of PTSD, which is potentially translatable to humans.
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17
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de Abreu MS, Demin KA, Giacomini ACVV, Amstislavskaya TG, Strekalova T, Maslov GO, Kositsin Y, Petersen EV, Kalueff AV. Understanding how stress responses and stress-related behaviors have evolved in zebrafish and mammals. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100405. [PMID: 34722834 PMCID: PMC8536782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress response is essential for the organism to quickly restore physiological homeostasis disturbed by various environmental insults. In addition to well-established physiological cascades, stress also evokes various brain and behavioral responses. Aquatic animal models, including the zebrafish (Danio rerio), have been extensively used to probe pathobiological mechanisms of stress and stress-related brain disorders. Here, we critically discuss the use of zebrafish models for studying mechanisms of stress and modeling its disorders experimentally, with a particular cross-taxon focus on the potential evolution of stress responses from zebrafish to rodents and humans, as well as its translational implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medcial Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Granov Russian Scientific Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ana C V V Giacomini
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medcicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - Gleb O Maslov
- Neuroscience Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia
| | - Yury Kositsin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Neuroscience Program, Sirius University, Sochi, Russia
| | - Elena V Petersen
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
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18
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Shao S, Li J, Chen S, Dong Y, Wang S, Zhu Z, Xie L, Li H. Sex-dependent expression of N-cadherin-GluA1 pathway-related molecules in the prefrontal cortex mediates anxiety-like behavior in male offspring following prenatal stress. Stress 2021; 24:612-620. [PMID: 34184955 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1942829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress (PS) affects neurodevelopment and increases the risk for anxiety in adolescence in male offspring, but the mechanism is still unclear. N-Cadherin regulates the expression of AMPA receptors (AMPARs), which mediate anxiety by modulating network excitability in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Our results revealed that in adolescent male, but not female, offspring rats, PS induced anxiety-like behavior, as assessed by the open field test (OFT). Furthermore, N-cadherin and AMPAR subunit GluA1 were colocalized in the PFC, and the expression of the N-cadherin and the GluA1 decreased following PS exposure in male offspring rats. We also found that the AMPAR agonist CX546 did not alleviate anxiety-like behavior in adolescent male offspring rats; however, it increased the expression of GluA1 in the PFC but did not alter the expression of N-cadherin. In conclusion, our study suggested that the N-cadherin-GluA1 pathway in the PFC mediates anxiety-like behavior in adolescent male offspring rats and that N-cadherin might be required for sex differences in the effect of PS on adolescent offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Shao
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shengquan Chen
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - YanKai Dong
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Maternal and Infant Health Research Institute and Medical College, Northwestern University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shang Wang
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Maternal and Infant Health Research Institute and Medical College, Northwestern University, Xi'an, China
| | - Longshan Xie
- Department of Functional Neuroscience, The First People's Hospital of Foshan (The Affiliated Foshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University), Foshan, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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19
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Acupuncture alleviates chronic pain and comorbid conditions in a mouse model of neuropathic pain: the involvement of DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex. Pain 2021; 162:514-530. [PMID: 32796318 PMCID: PMC7808350 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic pain reduces life quality and is an important clinical problem associated with emotional and cognitive dysfunction. Epigenetic regulation of DNA methylation is involved in the induction of abnormal behaviors and pathological gene expression. We examined whether acupuncture can restore epigenetic changes caused by chronic pain, and identified the underlying mechanisms in neuropathic pain mice. Acupuncture treatment for 6 months (3 days/week) improved mechanical/cold allodynia and the emotional/cognitive dysfunction caused by left partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL)-induced neuropathic pain. The effects of acupuncture were associated with global DNA methylation recovery in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Analysis of DNA methylation patterns in PFC indicated that 1364 overlapping genes among 4442 and 4416 methylated genes in the PSNL vs sham and PSNL vs acupuncture points groups, respectively, were highly associated with the DNA methylation process. Acupuncture restored the reduced expression of 5-methylcytosine, methyl-cytosine-phospho-guanine binding protein 2, and DNA methyltransferase family enzymes induced by PSNL in PFC. Methylation levels of Nr4a1 and Chkb associated with mitochondrial dysfunction were decreased in PFC of the PSNL mice, and increased by acupuncture. By contrast, high expression of Nr4a1 and Chkb mRNA in PSNL mice decreased after acupuncture. We also found that acupuncture inhibited the expression of Ras pathway-related genes such as Rasgrp1 and Rassf1. Finally, the expression of Nr4a1, Rasgrp1, Rassf1, and Chkb mRNA increased in the neuronal cells treated with Mecp2 small interfering RNA. These results suggest that acupuncture can relieve chronic pain-induced comorbid conditions by altering DNA methylation of Nr4a1, Rasgrp1, Rassf1, and Chkb in the PFC.
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20
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Eyolfson E, Bhatt D, Wang M, Lohman AW, Mychasiuk R. Paternal exposure to exercise and/or caffeine and alcohol modify offspring behavioral and pathophysiological recovery from repetitive mild traumatic brain injury in adolescence. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 20:egbb12736. [PMID: 33876557 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Only recently has the scope of parental research expanded to include the paternal sphere with epidemiological studies implicating stress, nutrition and alcohol consumption in the neurobiological and behavioral characteristics of offspring. This study was designed to determine if paternal exposure to caffeine, alcohol and exercise prior to conception would improve or exacerbate offspring recovery from adolescent repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (RmTBI). Sires received 7 weeks of standard drinking water, or caffeine and ethanol and were housed in regular cages or cages with running wheels, prior to being mated to control females. At postnatal day 40, offspring were administered RmTBI or sham injuries and were assessed for post concussive symptomology. Post-mortem quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess gene expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and changes in telomere length. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA's) were run on serum to detect levels of cytokines, chemokines and sex hormones. Paternal experience did not improve or exacerbate RmTBI behavioral outcomes. However, female and male offspring displayed unique responses to RmTBI and paternal experience, resulting in changes in physical, behavioral and molecular outcomes. Injury and paternal exercise modified changes in female offspring, whereas male offspring were affected by paternal exercise, caffeine and alcohol treatment. Additionally, paternal experience and RmTBI modified expression of many genes in the PFC, NAc, telomere length and levels of sex hormones. Although further exploration is required to understand the heterogeneity that exists in disease risk and resiliency, this study provides corroborating evidence that paternal experiences prior to conception influences offspring development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Eyolfson
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dhyey Bhatt
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Melinda Wang
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alexander W Lohman
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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21
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Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Molecular Targets and Epigenetic Insights from Preclinical Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041863. [PMID: 33668469 PMCID: PMC7917759 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant non-psychoactive component of cannabis; it displays a very low affinity for cannabinoid receptors, facilitates endocannabinoid signaling by inhibiting the hydrolysis of anandamide, and stimulates both transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and 2 and serotonin type 1A receptors. Since CBD interacts with a wide variety of molecular targets in the brain, its therapeutic potential has been investigated in a number of neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety and mood disorders. Specifically, CBD has received growing attention due to its anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. As a consequence, and given its safety profile, CBD is considered a promising new agent in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. However, the exact molecular mechanism of action of CBD still remains unknown. In the present preclinical review, we provide a summary of animal-based studies that support the use of CBD as an anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like compound. Next, we describe neuropharmacological evidence that links the molecular pharmacology of CBD to its behavioral effects. Finally, by taking into consideration the effects of CBD on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs, we elaborate on the putative role of epigenetic mechanisms in mediating CBD’s therapeutic outcomes.
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22
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Sales AJ, Maciel IS, Suavinha ACDR, Joca SRL. Modulation of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression in Rodent Cortical Neuroplasticity Pathways Exerts Rapid Antidepressant-Like Effects. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:777-794. [PMID: 33025509 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02145-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress increases DNA methylation, primarily a suppressive epigenetic mechanism catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMT), and decreases the expression of genes involved in neuronal plasticity and mood regulation. Despite chronic antidepressant treatment decreases stress-induced DNA methylation, it is not known whether inhibition of DNMT would convey rapid antidepressant-like effects. AIM This work tested such a hypothesis and evaluated whether a behavioral effect induced by DNMT inhibitors (DNMTi) corresponds with changes in DNA methylation and transcript levels in genes consistently associated with the neurobiology of depression and synaptic plasticity (BDNF, TrkB, 5-HT1A, NMDA, and AMPA). METHODS Male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of two pharmacologically different DNMTi (5-AzaD 0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg or RG108 0.6 mg/kg) or vehicle (1 ml/kg), 1 h or 7 days before the learned helplessness test (LH). DNA methylation in target genes and the correspondent transcript levels were measured in the hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) using meDIP-qPCR. In parallel separate groups, the antidepressant-like effect of 5-AzaD and RG108 was investigated in the forced swimming test (FST). The involvement of cortical BDNF-TrkB-mTOR pathways was assessed by intra-ventral medial PFC (vmPFC) injections of rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor), K252a (TrkB receptor antagonist), or vehicle (0.2 μl/side). RESULTS We found that both 5-AzaD and RG108 acutely and 7 days before the test decreased escape failures in the LH. LH stress increased DNA methylation and decreased transcript levels of BDNF IV and TrkB in the PFC, effects that were not significantly attenuated by RG108 treatment. The systemic administration of 5-AzaD (0.2 mg/kg) and RG108 (0.2 mg/kg) induced an antidepressant-like effect in FST, which was, however, attenuated by TrkB and mTOR inhibition into the vmPFC. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that acute inhibition of stress-induced DNA methylation promotes rapid and sustained antidepressant effects associated with increased BDNF-TrkB-mTOR signaling in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Sales
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- FMRP-USP, Av Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.
| | - Izaque S Maciel
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Angélica C D R Suavinha
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Sâmia R L Joca
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- FCFRP-USP, Av Café, sn, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil.
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23
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Jeyaraj SE, Sivasangari K, García-Colunga J, Rajan KE. Environmental enrichment enhances sociability by regulating glutamate signaling pathway through GR by epigenetic mechanisms in amygdala of Indian field mice Mus booduga. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 300:113641. [PMID: 33017584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) dynamically regulates gene expression and synaptic plasticity with positive consequences on behavior. The present study was performed on field-mice to explore the effects of EE on both captive-condition inducing social stress and epigenetic changes of molecules resilience stress. For this purpose, field-mice were caught and allowed to habituate in standard laboratory conditions for 7 days. The next day animals were randomly assigned to three groups: i) mice at short-term standard condition (STSC); which were subjected to social interaction test (SIT) on day 9, ii) mice continuously maintainedfor additional 30 days, with these long-term standard conditions (LTSC), and iii) mice maintained in an EE cage for additional 30 days. After achieving SIT, we examined epigenetic changes of a repertory of molecules associated with resilience stress, by determining their levels by Western blot. Thus, the main findings were that during SIT, EE exerted more social interaction of field-mice with the strangers compared with STSC and LTSC mice. Related with social behavior results, we found that in mice subjected to EE the levels of histone 3 lysine 9 di-methylation (H3K9me2), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), N-methyl-D asparate (NMDA) receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B, postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) were significantly elevated; whereas the levels of DNA methyltransferase-3A (DNMT3A), methyl-CpG-binding protein-2 (MeCP2), repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), H3K4me2 and lysine demethylase-1A (KDM1A) decreased. These results suggest that enhanced sociability of EE mice could be mediated, in part, by altered expression of molecules regulating glutamate signaling pathway through GR by epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soundarrajan Edwin Jeyaraj
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Karunanithi Sivasangari
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Jesús García-Colunga
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Koilmani Emmanuvel Rajan
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India.
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24
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Wei J, Cheng J, Waddell NJ, Wang ZJ, Pang X, Cao Q, Liu A, Chitaman JM, Abreu K, Jasrotia RS, Duffney LJ, Zhang J, Dietz DM, Feng J, Yan Z. DNA Methyltransferase 3A Is Involved in the Sustained Effects of Chronic Stress on Synaptic Functions and Behaviors. Cereb Cortex 2020; 31:1998-2012. [PMID: 33230530 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms regulate aberrant gene transcription in stress-associated mental disorders. However, it remains to be elucidated about the role of DNA methylation and its catalyzing enzymes, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), in this process. Here, we found that male rats exposed to chronic (2-week) unpredictable stress exhibited a substantial reduction of Dnmt3a after stress cessation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a key target region of stress. Treatment of unstressed control rats with DNMT inhibitors recapitulated the effect of chronic unpredictable stress on decreased AMPAR expression and function in PFC. In contrast, overexpression of Dnmt3a in PFC of stressed animals prevented the loss of glutamatergic responses. Moreover, the stress-induced behavioral abnormalities, including the impaired recognition memory, heightened aggression, and hyperlocomotion, were partially attenuated by Dnmt3a expression in PFC of stressed animals. Finally, we found that there were genome-wide DNA methylation changes and transcriptome alterations in PFC of stressed rats, both of which were enriched at several neural pathways, including glutamatergic synapse and microtubule-associated protein kinase signaling. These results have therefore recognized the potential role of DNA epigenetic modification in stress-induced disturbance of synaptic functions and cognitive and emotional processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wei
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jia Cheng
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Nicholas J Waddell
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Zi-Jun Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Xiaodong Pang
- Department of Statistics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Qing Cao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Aiyi Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Javed M Chitaman
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Kristen Abreu
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Rahul Singh Jasrotia
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Lara J Duffney
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Department of Statistics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - David M Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jian Feng
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.,Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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25
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Berking AC, Thiel C, Schiele MA, Baumann C, Kalisch R, Notzen S, Zwanzger P, Pané-Farré CA, Hamm A, Alpers GW, Fydrich T, Fehm L, Gerlach AL, Straube B, Kircher T, Rief W, Plag J, Ströhle A, Lang T, Wittchen HU, Arolt V, Romanos M, Pauli P, Reif A, Deckert J, Domschke K, Weber H. An investigation of genetic variability of DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and 3B does not provide evidence for a major role in the pathogenesis of panic disorder and dimensional anxiety phenotypes. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127:1527-1537. [PMID: 32468273 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02206-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
While DNA methylation patterns have been studied for a role in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders, the role of the enzymes establishing DNA methylation-DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs)-has yet to be investigated. In an effort to investigate DNMT genotype-specific effects on dimensional anxiety traits in addition to the categorical phenotype of panic disorder, 506 panic disorder patients and 3112 healthy participants were assessed for anxiety related cognition [Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ)], anxiety sensitivity [Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI)] as well as pathological worry [Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)] and genotyped for five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DNMT3A (rs11683424, rs1465764, rs1465825) and DNMT3B (rs2424932, rs4911259) genes, which have previously been found associated with clinical and trait-related phenotypes. There was no association with the categorical phenotype panic disorder. However, a significant association was discerned between DNMT3A rs1465764 and PSWQ scores in healthy participants, with the minor allele conveying a protective effect. In addition, a marginally significant association between questionnaire scores (PSWQ, ASI) in healthy participants and DNMT3B rs2424932 was detected, again with the minor allele conveying a protective effect. The present results suggest a possible minor role of DNMT3A and DNMT3B gene variation in conveying resilience towards anxiety disorders. As the observed associations indicated a protective effect of two SNPs particularly with pathological worry, future studies are proposed to explore these variants in generalized anxiety disorder rather than panic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Cathrine Berking
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christiane Thiel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam A Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Baumann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Raffael Kalisch
- Neuroimaging Center (NIC), Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
- Catholic University of Applied Science Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Swantje Notzen
- Catholic University of Applied Science Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Peter Zwanzger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, District Hospital Gabersee, Wasserburg am Inn, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Christiane A Pané-Farré
- Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Alfons Hamm
- Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Georg W Alpers
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Fydrich
- Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lydia Fehm
- Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander L Gerlach
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Institute of Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens Plag
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité University Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Ströhle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité University Medicine, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Lang
- Christoph-Dornier-Foundation for Clinical Psychology, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Psychology and Methods, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Wittchen
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Arolt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marcel Romanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heike Weber
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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26
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Buck JM, O'Neill HC, Stitzel JA. Developmental nicotine exposure engenders intergenerational downregulation and aberrant posttranslational modification of cardinal epigenetic factors in the frontal cortices, striata, and hippocampi of adolescent mice. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:13. [PMID: 32138755 PMCID: PMC7059320 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00332-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal smoking of traditional or electronic cigarettes during pregnancy, which constitutes developmental nicotine exposure (DNE), heightens the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia in children. Modeling the intergenerationally transmissible impacts of smoking during pregnancy, we previously demonstrated that both the first- and second-generation adolescent offspring of nicotine-exposed female mice exhibit enhanced nicotine preference, hyperactivity and risk-taking behaviors, aberrant rhythmicity of home cage activity, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and dopamine transporter dysfunction, impaired furin-mediated proBDNF proteolysis, hypocorticosteronemia-related glucocorticoid receptor hypoactivity, and global DNA hypomethylation in the frontal cortices and striata. This ensemble of multigenerational DNE-induced behavioral, neuropharmacological, neurotrophic, neuroendocrine, and DNA methylomic anomalies recapitulates the pathosymptomatology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia. Further probing the epigenetic bases of DNE-induced multigenerational phenotypic aberrations, the present study examined the expression and phosphorylation of key epigenetic factors via an array of immunoblot experiments. RESULTS Data indicate that DNE confers intergenerational deficits in corticostriatal DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) expression accompanied by downregulation of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in the frontal cortices and hippocampi, while the expression of ten-eleven translocase methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) is unaltered. Moreover, DNE evokes multigenerational abnormalities in HDAC2 (Ser394) but not MeCP2 (Ser421) phosphorylation in the frontal cortices, striata, and hippocampi. CONCLUSIONS In light of the extensive gene regulatory roles of DNMT3A, MeCP2, and HDAC2, the findings of this study that DNE elicits downregulation and aberrant posttranslational modification of these factors in both first- and second-generation DNE mice suggest that epigenetic perturbations may constitute a mechanistic hub for the intergenerational transmission of DNE-induced neurodevelopmental disorder-like phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Buck
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA.
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA.
| | - Heidi C O'Neill
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
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27
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Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms govern the transcription of the genome. Research with model systems reveals that environmental conditions can directly influence epigenetic mechanisms that are associated with interindividual differences in gene expression in brain and neural function. In this review, we provide a brief overview of epigenetic mechanisms and research with relevant rodent models. We emphasize more recent translational research programs in epigenetics as well as the challenges inherent in the integration of epigenetics into developmental and clinical psychology. Our objectives are to present an update with respect to the translational relevance of epigenetics for the study of psychopathology and to consider the state of current research with respect to its potential importance for clinical research and practice in mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran J O'Donnell
- Department of Psychiatry and Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Psychobiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada; .,Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1R4, Canada.,Child and Brain Development Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry and Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Psychobiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada; .,Child and Brain Development Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada.,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 117609 Singapore.,Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore
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28
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Abstract
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders affecting public health. Studies over the past years suggest that the methylations of some specific genes such as BDNF, SLC6A4, and NR3C1 play an important role in the development of depression. Recently, epigenetic evidences suggest that the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases differ in several brain areas including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens in depression patients and animal models, but the potential link between the expression levels of DNA methylatransferases and the methylations of specific genes needs further investigation to clarify the pathogenesis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Duan
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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29
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Armstrong MJ, Jin Y, Allen EG, Jin P. Diverse and dynamic DNA modifications in brain and diseases. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:R241-R253. [PMID: 31348493 PMCID: PMC6872432 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a class of epigenetic modification essential for coordinating gene expression timing and magnitude throughout normal brain development and for proper brain function following development. Aberrant methylation changes are associated with changes in chromatin architecture, transcriptional alterations and a host of neurological disorders and diseases. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the methylome's functionality and covers potential new roles for DNA methylation, their readers, writers, and erasers. Additionally, we examine novel insights into the relationship between the methylome, DNA-protein interactions, and their contribution to neurodegenerative diseases. Lastly, we outline the gaps in our knowledge that will likely be filled through the widespread use of newer technologies that provide greater resolution into how individual cell types are affected by disease and the contribution of each individual modification site to disease pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Armstrong
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yulin Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily G Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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30
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Mallei A, Ieraci A, Popoli M. Chronic social defeat stress differentially regulates the expression of BDNF transcripts and epigenetic modifying enzymes in susceptible and resilient mice. World J Biol Psychiatry 2019; 20:555-566. [PMID: 30058429 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1500029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Although stress is considered a primary risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders, a majority of individuals are resilient to the effects of stress exposure and successfully adapt to adverse life events, while others, the so-called susceptible individuals, may have problems to properly adapt to environmental changes. However, the mechanisms underlying these different responses to stress exposure are poorly understood.Methods: Adult male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to chronic social defeat stress protocol and levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcripts and epigenetic modifying enzymes were analysed by real-time PCR in the hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of susceptible and resilient mice.Results: We found a selective reduction of BDNF-6 transcript in the HPC and an increase of BDNF-4 transcript in the PFC of susceptible mice. Moreover, susceptible mice showed a selective reduction of the g9a mRNA levels in the HPC, while HDAC-5 and DNMT3a mRNA levels were specifically reduced in the PFC.Conclusions: Overall, our results, showing a different expression of BDNF transcripts and epigenetic modifying enzymes in susceptible and resilient mice, suggest that stress resilience is not simply a lack of activation of stress-related pathways, but is related to the activation of additional different specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mallei
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics - Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari and Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ieraci
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics - Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari and Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics - Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari and Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
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31
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Yap EL, Greenberg ME. Activity-Regulated Transcription: Bridging the Gap between Neural Activity and Behavior. Neuron 2019; 100:330-348. [PMID: 30359600 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene transcription is the process by which the genetic codes of organisms are read and interpreted as a set of instructions for cells to divide, differentiate, migrate, and mature. As cells function in their respective niches, transcription further allows mature cells to interact dynamically with their external environment while reliably retaining fundamental information about past experiences. In this Review, we provide an overview of the field of activity-dependent transcription in the vertebrate brain and highlight contemporary work that ranges from studies of activity-dependent chromatin modifications to plasticity mechanisms underlying adaptive behaviors. We identify key gaps in knowledge and propose integrated approaches toward a deeper understanding of how activity-dependent transcription promotes the refinement and plasticity of neural circuits for cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ee-Lynn Yap
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael E Greenberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Shen XF, Yuan HB, Wang GQ, Xue H, Liu YF, Zhang CX. Role of DNA hypomethylation in lateral habenular nucleus in the development of depressive-like behavior in rats. J Affect Disord 2019; 252:373-381. [PMID: 30999094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lateral habenula nucleus (LHb) has recently been noted for its role in stress-induced depressive disorder. Yet little is known about the mechanisms by which external stimuli or depression induces pathological alteration in the LHb. METHODS Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was employed to model depressive-like behaviors in adult rats. We examined expressions of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) mRNA and protein and global DNA methylation levels in LHb of CUMS-induced depressive rats. Then 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza), a Dnmts inhibitor, was infused into the LHb of native rats to test the effects of hypomethylation in the LHb. The gene expressions in the LHb and the levels of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) were examined in 5-aza infusion rats by quantitative real-time PCR and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. RESULTS Rats were exposed to CUMS for 21 days and depressive-like behaviors were induced as expected. We observed significant decrease in mRNA and protein expressions of Dnmt1 and DNA hypomethylation in LHb of depressive rats. These phenomenon suggests that CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors are related with DNA hypomethylation in the LHb. Local 5-aza infusion into LHb of native rat resulted in global DNA hypomethylation in the LHb and induced depressive-like behaviors which are featured with lack of interest and investment in the environment, behavioral despair and anhedonia. Moreover, DNA hypomethylation in the LHb increased transcription of β calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II and glutamate receptor 1 in the LHb and attenuated the levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the DRN. Our data suggested that alteration of DNA methylation in the LHb may control 5-HT neuronal activity in the DRN to regulate emotional state. CONCLUSIONS DNA hypomethylation in the LHb is involved in the development of depressive-like behavior and suitable methylation state contributes to the emotional stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Feng Shen
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Hai-Bo Yuan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Wang
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Hui Xue
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Yong-Feng Liu
- Department of Molecular Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - Chun-Xiao Zhang
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China.
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Bludau A, Royer M, Meister G, Neumann ID, Menon R. Epigenetic Regulation of the Social Brain. Trends Neurosci 2019; 42:471-484. [PMID: 31103351 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Social behavior, a highly adaptive and crucial component of mammalian life, is regulated by particularly sensitive regulatory brain mechanisms. Substantial evidence implicates classical epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications, DNA methylation, and nucleosome remodeling as well as nonclassical mechanisms mediated by noncoding RNA in the regulation of social behavior. These mechanisms collectively form the 'epigenetic network' that orchestrates genomic integration of salient and transient social experiences. Consequently, its dysregulation has been linked to behavioral deficits and psychopathologies. This review focuses on the role of the epigenetic network in regulating the enduring effects of social experiences during early-life, adolescence, and adulthood. We discuss research in animal models, primarily rodents, and associations between dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms and human psychopathologies, specifically autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bludau
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Royer
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory of RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory of RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rohit Menon
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Aharoni R, Schottlender N, Bar-Lev DD, Eilam R, Sela M, Tsoory M, Arnon R. Cognitive impairment in an animal model of multiple sclerosis and its amelioration by glatiramer acetate. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4140. [PMID: 30858445 PMCID: PMC6412002 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe motor impairment in the MS animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) obstructs the assessment of cognitive functions. We developed an experimental system that evaluates memory faculties in EAE-affected mice, irrespective of their motor performance, enabling the assessment of cognitive impairments along the disease duration, the associated brain damage, and the consequences of glatiramer acetate (GA) treatment on these manifestations. The delayed-non-matching to sample (DNMS) T-maze task, testing working and long term memory was adapted and utilized. Following the appearance of clinical manifestations task performances of the EAE-untreated mice drastically declined. Cognitive impairments were associated with disease severity, as indicated by a significant correlation between the T-maze performance and the clinical symptoms in EAE-untreated mice. GA-treatment conserved cognitive functions, so that despite their exhibited mild motor impairments, the treated mice performed similarly to naïve controls. The cognitive deficit of EAE-mice coincided with inflammatory and neurodegenerative damage to the frontal cortex and the hippocampus; these damages were alleviated by GA-treatment. These combined findings indicate that in addition to motor impairment, EAE leads to substantial impairment of cognitive functions, starting at the early stages and increasing with disease aggravation. GA-treatment, conserves cognitive capacities and prevents its disease related deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina Aharoni
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel.
| | - Nofar Schottlender
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Dekel D Bar-Lev
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Raya Eilam
- Department of Veterinary Resources, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Michael Sela
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Michael Tsoory
- Department of Veterinary Resources, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Ruth Arnon
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel.
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Urb M, Anier K, Matsalu T, Aonurm-Helm A, Tasa G, Koppel I, Zharkovsky A, Timmusk T, Kalda A. Glucocorticoid Receptor Stimulation Resulting from Early Life Stress Affects Expression of DNA Methyltransferases in Rat Prefrontal Cortex. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 68:99-110. [PMID: 30852742 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01286-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Early life stress initiates long-term neurobiological changes that affect stress resilience and increased susceptibility to psychopathology. Maternal separation (MS) is used to cause early life stress and it induces profound neurochemical and behavioral changes that last until adulthood. The molecular pathways of how MS affects the regulation of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt) in brain have not been entirely characterized. We evaluated MS effects on Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b expression, DNMT enzyme activity and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) recruitment to different Dnmt loci in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of Wistar rats. We found increased plasma corticosterone levels after MS that were associated with induced Dnmt expression and enzyme activity in rat PFC at post-natal day 15 (PND15). Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed increased binding of GR at the Dnmt3b promoter after MS, suggesting that genomic signaling of GR is an important regulatory mechanism for the induced Dnmt3b expression and DNMT activity. Although GR also binds to Dnmt3a promoter and a putative regulatory region in intron 3 in rat PFC, its expression after maternal separation may be influenced by other mechanisms. Therefore, GR could be a link between early life stress experience and long-term gene expression changes induced by aberrant DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Urb
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kaili Anier
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Terje Matsalu
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Aonurm-Helm
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gunnar Tasa
- Department of Human Biology and Genetics, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Indrek Koppel
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.,Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander Zharkovsky
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anti Kalda
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
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Social Behaviour and Epigenetic Status in Adolescent and Adult Rats: The Contribution of Early-Life Stressful Social Experience. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:371-385. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00655-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Glover ME, McCoy CR, Shupe EA, Unroe KA, Jackson NL, Clinton SM. Perinatal exposure to the SSRI paroxetine alters the methylome landscape of the developing dentate gyrus. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:1843-1870. [PMID: 30585666 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Evidence in humans and rodents suggests that perinatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants can have serious long-term consequences in offspring exposed in utero or infancy via breast milk. In spite of this, there is limited knowledge of how perinatal SSRI exposure impacts brain development and adult behaviour. Children exposed to SSRIs in utero exhibit increased internalizing behaviour and abnormal social behaviour between the ages of 3 and 6, and increased risk of depression in adolescence; however, the neurobiological changes underlying this behaviour are poorly understood. In rodents, perinatal SSRI exposure perturbs hippocampal gene expression and alters adult emotional behaviour (including increased depression-like behaviour). The present study demonstrates that perinatal exposure to the SSRI paroxetine leads to DNA hypomethylation and reduces DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) mRNA expression in the hippocampus during the second and third weeks of life. Next-generation sequencing identified numerous differentially methylated genomic regions, including altered methylation and transcription of several dendritogenesis-related genes. We then tested the hypothesis that transiently decreasing Dnmt3a expression in the early postnatal hippocampus would mimic the behavioural effects of perinatal SSRI exposure. We found that siRNA-mediated knockdown of Dnmt3a in the dentate gyrus during the second to third week of life produced greater depression-like behaviour in adult female (but not male) offspring, akin to the behavioural consequences of perinatal SSRI exposure. Overall, these data suggest that perinatal SSRI exposure may increase depression-like behaviours, at least in part, through reduced Dnmt3a expression in the developing hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Keaton A Unroe
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Nateka L Jackson
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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FABP3 in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Modulates the Methylation Status of the Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase 67 Promoter Region. J Neurosci 2018; 38:10411-10423. [PMID: 30341178 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1285-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential for brain development and function. Increasing evidence has shown that an imbalance of PUFAs is associated with various human psychiatric disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), cellular chaperones of PUFAs, are involved in PUFA intracellular trafficking, signal transduction, and gene transcription. In this study, we show that FABP3 is strongly expressed in the GABAergic inhibitory interneurons of the male mouse anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is a component of the limbic cortex and is important for the coordination of cognitive and emotional behaviors. Interestingly, Fabp3 KO male mice show an increase in the expression of the gene encoding the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (Gad67) in the ACC. In the ACC of Fabp3 KO mice, Gad67 promoter methylation and the binding of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to the Gad67 promoter are significantly decreased compared with those in WT mice. The abnormal cognitive and emotional behaviors of Fabp3 KO mice are restored by methionine administration. Notably, methionine administration normalizes Gad67 promoter methylation and its mRNA expression in the ACC of Fabp3 KO mice. These findings demonstrate that FABP3 is involved in the control of DNA methylation of the Gad67 promoter and activation of GABAergic neurons in the ACC, thus suggesting the importance of PUFA homeostasis in the ACC for cognitive and emotional behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ACC is important for emotional and cognitive processing. However, the mechanisms underlying its involvement in the control of behavioral responses are largely unknown. We show the following new observations: (1) FABP3, a PUFA cellular chaperone, is exclusively expressed in GABAergic interneurons in the ACC; (2) an increase in Gad67 expression is detected in the ACC of Fabp3 KO mice; (3) the Gad67 promoter is hypomethylated and the binding of transcriptional repressor complexes is decreased in the ACC of Fabp3 KO mice; and (4) elevated Gad67 expression and abnormal behaviors seen in Fabp3 KO mice are mostly recovered by methionine treatment. These suggest that FABP3 regulates GABA synthesis through transcriptional regulation of Gad67 in the ACC.
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Lehmann ML, Weigel TK, Cooper HA, Elkahloun AG, Kigar SL, Herkenham M. Decoding microglia responses to psychosocial stress reveals blood-brain barrier breakdown that may drive stress susceptibility. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11240. [PMID: 30050134 PMCID: PMC6062609 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28737-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
An animal's ability to cope with or succumb to deleterious effects of chronic psychological stress may be rooted in the brain's immune responses manifested in microglial activity. Mice subjected to chronic social defeat (CSD) were categorized as susceptible (CSD-S) or resilient (CSD-R) based on behavioral phenotyping, and their microglia were isolated and analyzed by microarray. Microglia transcriptomes from CSD-S mice were enriched for pathways associated with inflammation, phagocytosis, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Histochemical experiments confirmed the array predictions: CSD-S microglia showed elevated phagocytosis and oxidative stress, and the brains of CSD-S but not CSD-R or non-stressed control mice showed vascular leakage of intravenously injected fluorescent tracers. The results suggest that the inflammatory profile of CSD-S microglia may be precipitated by extracellular matrix degradation, oxidative stress, microbleeds, and entry and phagocytosis of blood-borne substances into brain parenchyma. We hypothesize that these CNS-centric responses contribute to the stress-susceptible behavioral phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Lehmann
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Thaddeus K Weigel
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Hannah A Cooper
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Abdel G Elkahloun
- Division of Intramural Research Programs Microarray Core Facility, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Stacey L Kigar
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Miles Herkenham
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Li Y, Missig G, Finger BC, Landino SM, Alexander AJ, Mokler EL, Robbins JO, Manasian Y, Kim W, Kim KS, McDougle CJ, Carlezon WA, Bolshakov VY. Maternal and Early Postnatal Immune Activation Produce Dissociable Effects on Neurotransmission in mPFC-Amygdala Circuits. J Neurosci 2018; 38:3358-3372. [PMID: 29491010 PMCID: PMC6596064 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3642-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory processes may be involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric illnesses including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Evidence from studies in rodents indicates that immune activation during early development can produce core features of ASD (social interaction deficits, dysregulation of communication, increases in stereotyped behaviors, and anxiety), although the neural mechanisms of these effects are not thoroughly understood. We treated timed-pregnant mice with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), which simulates a viral infection, or vehicle on gestational day 12.5 to produce maternal immune activation (MIA). Male offspring received either vehicle or lipopolysaccharide, which simulates a bacterial infection, on postnatal day 9 to produce postnatal immune activation (PIA). We then used optogenetics to address the possibility that early developmental immune activation causes persistent alterations in the flow of signals within the mPFC to basolateral amygdala (BLA) pathway, a circuit implicated in ASD. We found that our MIA regimen produced increases in synaptic strength in glutamatergic projections from the mPFC to the BLA. In contrast, our PIA regimen produced decreases in feedforward GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic responses resulting from activation of local circuit interneurons in the BLA by mPFC-originating fibers. Both effects were seen together when the regimens were combined. Changes in the balance between excitation and inhibition were differentially translated into the modified spike output of BLA neurons. Our findings raise the possibility that prenatal and postnatal immune activation may affect different cellular targets within brain circuits that regulate some of the core behavioral signs of conditions such as ASD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Immune system activation during prenatal and early postnatal development may contribute to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Combining optogenetic approaches and behavioral assays that reflect core features of ASD (anxiety, decreased social interactions), we uncovered mechanisms by which the ASD-associated behavioral impairments induced by immune activation could be mediated at the level of interactions within brain circuits implicated in control of emotion and motivation (mPFC and BLA, specifically). Here, we present evidence that prenatal and postnatal immune activation can have different cellular targets in the brain, providing support to the notion that the etiology of ASD may be linked to the excitation/inhibition imbalance in the brain affecting the signal flow within relevant behavior-driving neural microcircuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Galen Missig
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Beate C Finger
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Samantha M Landino
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Abigail J Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Emery L Mokler
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - James O Robbins
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Yunona Manasian
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Woori Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Kwang-Soo Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Christopher J McDougle
- Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
| | - William A Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478 and
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Gong Z, Zhou Q. Dnmt3a in the dorsal dentate gyrus is a key regulator of fear renewal. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5093. [PMID: 29572461 PMCID: PMC5865109 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23533-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renewal of extinguished fear memory in an altered context is widely believed to be a major limiting issue for exposure therapy in treating various psychiatric diseases. Effective prevention of fear renewal will significantly improve the efficacy of exposure therapy. DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs) mediated epigenetic processes play critical roles in long term memory, but little is known about their functions in fear memory extinction or renewal. Here we investigated whether DNMTs regulate fear renewal after extinction. We found that elevated Dnmt3a level in the dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG) of hippocampus was associated with the absence of fear renewal in an altered context after extinction training. Overexpression and knockdown of Dnmt3a in the dDG regulated the occurrence of fear renewal in a bi-directional manner. In addition, Dnmt3a overexpression was associated with elevated expression of c-Fos in the dDG during extinction training. Furthermore, we found that renewal of remote fear memory can be prevented, and the absence of renewal was concurrent with an elevated Dnmt3a level. Our results indicate that Dnmt3a in the dDG is a key regulator of fear renewal after extinction, and Dnmt3a may play a critical role in controlling fear memory return and thus has therapeutic values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiting Gong
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.
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42
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Dick A, Provencal N. Central Neuroepigenetic Regulation of the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 158:105-127. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Roth TL. Epigenetic Advances in Behavioral and Brain Sciences have Relevance for Public Policy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 4:202-209. [PMID: 29202007 DOI: 10.1177/2372732217719091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nature and nurture work together to drive development, behavior, and health. Behavioral epigenetics research has uncovered the underlying mechanisms for how this happens. Children's early years in development may offer the greatest opportunity for environmental and experiential factors to influence epigenome (chemical compounds telling our genes what to do), but evidence suggests it is never too late. The policy implications of this research are vast, including relevance for child development, health, and disease intervention and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania L Roth
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark DE
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Volk N, Pape JC, Engel M, Zannas AS, Cattane N, Cattaneo A, Binder EB, Chen A. Amygdalar MicroRNA-15a Is Essential for Coping with Chronic Stress. Cell Rep 2017; 17:1882-1891. [PMID: 27829158 PMCID: PMC5120368 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression and associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders. Here, we report that exposing mice to chronic stress led to a specific increase in microRNA-15a levels in the amygdala-Ago2 complex and a concomitant reduction in the levels of its predicted target, FKBP51, which is implicated in stress-related psychiatric disorders. Reciprocally, mice expressing reduced levels of amygdalar microRNA-15a following exposure to chronic stress exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviors. In humans, pharmacological activation of the glucocorticoid receptor, as well as exposure to childhood trauma, was associated with increased microRNA-15a levels in peripheral blood. Taken together, our results support an important role for microRNA-15a in stress adaptation and the pathogenesis of stress-related psychopathologies. miR-15a levels are elevated in the amygdala-Ago2 complex following chronic stress miR-15a targets FKBP51 and affects behavioral responses to stressful challenges miR-15a is elevated in peripheral human blood following dexamethasone exposure miR-15a is elevated in peripheral human blood of patients exposed to childhood trauma
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Affiliation(s)
- Naama Volk
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Bavaria 80804, Germany
| | - Julius C Pape
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Bavaria 80804, Germany
| | - Mareen Engel
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Bavaria 80804, Germany
| | - Anthony S Zannas
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Bavaria 80804, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nadia Cattane
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Fatebenefratelli, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cattaneo
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Fatebenefratelli, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Bavaria 80804, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Bavaria 80804, Germany.
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Abstract
Consolidation of contextual memories after a stressful encounter is essential for the survival of an organism and in allowing a more appropriate response to be elicited should the perceived threat reoccur. Recent evidence has explored the complex role that epigenetic mechanisms play in the formation of such memories, and the underlying signaling pathways are becoming more apparent. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been shown to play a key role in these events having both genomic and non-genomic actions in the brain. GR has been shown to interact with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK MAPK) signaling pathway which, in concert, drives epigenetic modifications and chromatin remodeling, resulting in gene induction and memory consolidation. Evidence indicates that stressful events can have an effect on the offspring in utero, and that epigenetic marks altered early in life may persist into adulthood. A new and controversial area of research, however, suggests that epigenetic modifications could be inherited through the germline, a concept known as transgenerational epigenetics. This review explores the role that epigenetic processes play in the central nervous system, specifically in the consolidation of stress-induced memories, the concept of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and the potential role of epigenetics in revolutionizing the treatment of stress-related disorders through the emerging field of pharmacoepigenetics and personalized medical treatment.
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Yao B, Cheng Y, Wang Z, Li Y, Chen L, Huang L, Zhang W, Chen D, Wu H, Tang B, Jin P. DNA N6-methyladenine is dynamically regulated in the mouse brain following environmental stress. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1122. [PMID: 29066820 PMCID: PMC5654764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01195-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical modifications on DNA molecules, such as 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, play important roles in the mammalian brain. A novel DNA adenine modification, N(6)-methyladenine (6mA), has recently been found in mammalian cells. However, the presence and function(s) of 6mA in the mammalian brain remain unclear. Here we demonstrate 6mA dynamics in the mouse brain in response to environmental stress. We find that overall 6mA levels are significantly elevated upon stress. Genome-wide 6mA and transcriptome profiling reveal an inverse association between 6mA dynamic changes and a set of upregulated neuronal genes or downregulated LINE transposon expression. Genes bearing stress-induced 6mA changes significantly overlap with loci associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. These results suggest an epigenetic role for 6mA in the mammalian brain as well as its potential involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders. N6-methyladenine is a covalent epigenetic modification of the genome. Here, Yao and colleagues show that N6-methyladenine level in the mouse brain is dynamic following environmental stress, and the subsequent differential gene expression is correlated with LINE transposon expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ying Cheng
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Zhiqin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yujing Li
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Luoxiu Huang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Dahua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Minimal traumatic brain injury causes persistent changes in DNA methylation at BDNF gene promoters in rat amygdala: A possible role in anxiety-like behaviors. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 106:101-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Kwon W, Kim HS, Jeong J, Sung Y, Choi M, Park S, Lee J, Jang S, Kim SH, Lee S, Kim MO, Ryoo ZY. Tet1 overexpression leads to anxiety-like behavior and enhanced fear memories via the activation of calcium-dependent cascade through Egr1 expression in mice. FASEB J 2017; 32:390-403. [PMID: 28899881 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601340rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 1 (Tet1) initiates DNA demethylation by converting 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) at CpG-rich regions of genes, which have key roles in adult neurogenesis and memory. In addition, the overexpression of Tet1 with 5-hmC alteration in patients with psychosis has also been reported, for instance in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. The mechanism underlying Tet1 overexpression in the brain; however, is still elusive. In the present study, we found that Tet1-transgenic (Tet1-TG) mice displayed abnormal behaviors involving elevated anxiety and enhanced fear memories. We confirmed that Tet1 overexpression affected adult neurogenesis with oligodendrocyte differentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of Tet1-TG mice. In addition, Tet1 overexpression induced the elevated expression of immediate early genes, such as Egr1, c-fos, Arc, and Bdnf, followed by the activation of intracellular calcium signals (i.e., CamKII, ERK, and CREB) in prefrontal and hippocampal neurons. The expression of GABA receptor subunits (Gabra2 and Gabra4) fluctuated in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. We evaluated the effects of Tet1 overexpression on intracellular calcium-dependent cascades by activating the Egr1 promoter in vitro Tet1 enhanced Egr1 expression, which may have led to alterations in Gabra2 and Gabra4 expression in neurons. Taken together, we suggest that the Tet1 overexpression in our Tet1-TG mice can be applied as an effective model for studying various stress-related diseases that show hyperactivation of intracellular calcium-dependent cascades in the brain.-Kwon, W., Kim, H.-S., Jeong, J., Sung, Y., Choi, M., Park, S., Lee, J., Jang, S., Kim, S. H., Lee, S., Kim, M. O., Ryoo, Z. Y. Tet1 overexpression leads to anxiety-like behavior and enhanced fear memories via the activation of calcium-dependent cascade through Egr1 expression in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wookbong Kwon
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hyeng-Soo Kim
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.,Institute of Life Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea; and
| | - Jain Jeong
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Yonghun Sung
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Minjee Choi
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Song Park
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jinhee Lee
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Soyoung Jang
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Sung Hyun Kim
- Institute of Life Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea; and
| | - Sanggyu Lee
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Myoung Ok Kim
- The School of Animal Biotechnology (BT) Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, South Korea
| | - Zae Young Ryoo
- School of Life Science, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea;
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49
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BECon: a tool for interpreting DNA methylation findings from blood in the context of brain. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1187. [PMID: 28763057 PMCID: PMC5611738 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue differences are one of the largest contributors to variability in the human DNA methylome. Despite the tissue-specific nature of DNA methylation, the inaccessibility of human brain samples necessitates the frequent use of surrogate tissues such as blood, in studies of associations between DNA methylation and brain function and health. Results from studies of surrogate tissues in humans are difficult to interpret in this context, as the connection between blood-brain DNA methylation is tenuous and not well-documented. Here, we aimed to provide a resource to the community to aid interpretation of blood-based DNA methylation results in the context of brain tissue. We used paired samples from 16 individuals from three brain regions and whole blood, run on the Illumina 450 K Human Methylation Array to quantify the concordance of DNA methylation between tissues. From these data, we have made available metrics on: the variability of cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotides (CpGs) in our blood and brain samples, the concordance of CpGs between blood and brain, and estimations of how strongly a CpG is affected by cell composition in both blood and brain through the web application BECon (Blood-Brain Epigenetic Concordance; https://redgar598.shinyapps.io/BECon/). We anticipate that BECon will enable biological interpretation of blood-based human DNA methylation results, in the context of brain.
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50
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Dirven BCJ, Homberg JR, Kozicz T, Henckens MJAG. Epigenetic programming of the neuroendocrine stress response by adult life stress. J Mol Endocrinol 2017; 59:R11-R31. [PMID: 28400482 DOI: 10.1530/jme-17-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is critically involved in the neuroendocrine regulation of stress adaptation, and the restoration of homeostasis following stress exposure. Dysregulation of this axis is associated with stress-related pathologies like major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and chronic anxiety. It has long been understood that stress during early life can have a significant lasting influence on the development of the neuroendocrine system and its neural regulators, partially by modifying epigenetic regulation of gene expression, with implications for health and well-being in later life. Evidence is accumulating that epigenetic plasticity also extends to adulthood, proposing it as a mechanism by which psychological trauma later in life can long-lastingly affect HPA axis function, brain plasticity, neuronal function and behavioural adaptation to neuropsychological stress. Further corroborating this claim is the phenomenon that these epigenetic changes correlate with the behavioural consequences of trauma exposure. Thereby, epigenetic modifications provide a putative molecular mechanism by which the behavioural phenotype and transcriptional/translational potential of genes involved in HPA axis regulation can change drastically in response to environmental challenges, and appear an important target for treatment of stress-related disorders. However, improved insight is required to increase their therapeutic (drug) potential. Here, we provide an overview of the growing body of literature describing the epigenetic modulation of the (primarily neuroendocrine) stress response as a consequence of adult life stress and interpret the implications for, and the challenges involved in applying this knowledge to, the identification and treatment of stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anxiety/genetics
- Anxiety/metabolism
- Anxiety/physiopathology
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/physiopathology
- DNA Methylation
- Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics
- Depressive Disorder, Major/metabolism
- Depressive Disorder, Major/physiopathology
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Histones/genetics
- Histones/metabolism
- Homeostasis
- Humans
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Neurons/metabolism
- Neurons/pathology
- Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/metabolism
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiopathology
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
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Affiliation(s)
- B C J Dirven
- Department of AnatomyDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - T Kozicz
- Department of AnatomyDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M J A G Henckens
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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