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Frungieri MB, Mayerhofer A. Biogenic amines in the testis: sources, receptors and actions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1392917. [PMID: 38966220 PMCID: PMC11222591 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1392917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Biogenic amines are signaling molecules with multiple roles in the central nervous system and in peripheral organs, including the gonads. A series of studies indicated that these molecules, their biosynthetic enzymes and their receptors are present in the testis and that they are involved in the regulation of male reproductive physiology and/or pathology. This mini-review aims to summarize the current knowledge in this field and to pinpoint existing research gaps. We suggest that the widespread clinical use of pharmacological agonists/antagonists of these signaling molecules, calls for new investigations in this area. They are necessary to evaluate the relevance of biogenic amines for human male fertility and infertility, as well as the potential value of at least one of them as an anti-aging compound in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Beatriz Frungieri
- Laboratorio de neuro-inmuno-endocrinología testicular, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Fundación IBYME, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Artur Mayerhofer
- Biomedical Center Munich (BMC), Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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2
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Mews P, Sosnick L, Gurung A, Sidoli S, Nestler EJ. Decoding cocaine-induced proteomic adaptations in the mouse nucleus accumbens. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadl4738. [PMID: 38626009 PMCID: PMC11170322 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adl4738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition that results from enduring cellular and molecular adaptations. Among substance use disorders, CUD is notable for its rising prevalence and the lack of approved pharmacotherapies. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region that is integral to the brain's reward circuitry, plays a crucial role in the initiation and continuation of maladaptive behaviors that are intrinsic to CUD. Leveraging advancements in neuroproteomics, we undertook a proteomic analysis that spanned membrane, cytosolic, nuclear, and chromatin compartments of the NAc in a mouse model. The results unveiled immediate and sustained proteomic modifications after cocaine exposure and during prolonged withdrawal. We identified congruent protein regulatory patterns during initial cocaine exposure and reexposure after withdrawal, which contrasted with distinct patterns during withdrawal. Pronounced proteomic shifts within the membrane compartment indicated adaptive and long-lasting molecular responses prompted by cocaine withdrawal. In addition, we identified potential protein translocation events between soluble-nuclear and chromatin-bound compartments, thus providing insight into intracellular protein dynamics after cocaine exposure. Together, our findings illuminate the intricate proteomic landscape that is altered in the NAc by cocaine use and provide a dataset for future research toward potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mews
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Lucas Sosnick
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ashik Gurung
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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3
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Cui J, Huang N, Fan G, Pan T, Han K, Jiang C, Liu X, Wang F, Ma L, Le Q. Paternal cocaine-seeking motivation defines offspring's vulnerability to addiction by down-regulating GABAergic GABRG3 in the ventral tegmental area. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:107. [PMID: 38388464 PMCID: PMC10884401 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02835-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological investigations indicate that parental drug abuse experiences significantly influenced the addiction vulnerability of offspring. Studies using animal models have shown that paternal cocaine use and highly motivated drug-seeking behavior are important determinants of offspring addiction susceptibility. However, the key molecules contributing to offspring addiction susceptibility are currently unclear. The motivation for cocaine-seeking behavior in offspring of male rats was compared between those whose fathers self-administered cocaine (SA) and those who were yoked with them and received non-contingent cocaine administrations (Yoke). We found that paternal experience with cocaine-seeking behavior, but not direct cocaine exposure, could lead to increased lever-pressing behavior in male F1 offspring. This effect was observed without significant changes to the dose-response relationship. The transcriptomes of ventral tegmental area (VTA) in offspring were analyzed under both naive state and after self-administration training. Specific transcriptomic changes in response to paternal cocaine-seeking experiences were found, which mainly affected biological processes such as synaptic connections and receptor signaling pathways. Through joint analysis of these candidate genes and parental drug-seeking motivation scores, we found that gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit gamma-3 (Gabrg3) was in the hub position of the drug-seeking motivation-related module network and highly correlated with parental drug-seeking motivation scores. The downregulation of Gabrg3 expression, caused by paternal motivational cocaine-seeking, mainly occurred in GABAergic neurons in the VTA. Furthermore, down-regulating GABAergic Gabrg3 in VTA resulted in an increase in cocaine-seeking behavior in the Yoke F1 group. This down-regulation also reduced transcriptome differences between the Yoke and SA groups, affecting processes related to synaptic formation and neurotransmitter transmission. Taken together, we propose that paternal cocaine-seeking behavior, rather than direct drug exposure, significantly influences offspring addiction susceptibility through the downregulation of Gabrg3 in GABAergic neurons of the VTA, highlighting the importance of understanding specific molecular pathways in the intergenerational inheritance of addiction vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangyuan Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Pan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kunxiu Han
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changyou Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China.
| | - Qiumin Le
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China.
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4
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Fischer V, Kretschmer M, Germain PL, Kaur J, Mompart-Barrenechea S, Pelczar P, Schürmann D, Schär P, Gapp K. Sperm chromatin accessibility's involvement in the intergenerational effects of stress hormone receptor activation. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:378. [PMID: 38065942 PMCID: PMC10709351 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dexamethasone is a stress hormone receptor agonist used widely in clinics. We and others previously showed that paternal administration of dexamethasone in mice affects the phenotype of their offspring. The substrate of intergenerational transmission of environmentally induced effects often involves changes in sperm RNA, yet other epigenetic modifications in the germline can be affected and are also plausible candidates. First, we tested the involvement of altered sperm RNAs in the transmission of dexamethasone induced phenotypes across generations. We did this by injecting sperm RNA into naïve fertilized oocytes, before performing metabolic and behavioral phenotyping of the offspring. We observed phenotypic changes in discordance with those found in offspring generated by in vitro fertilization using sperm from dexamethasone exposed males. Second, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone on chromatin accessibility using ATAC sequencing and found significant changes at specific genomic features and gene regulatory loci. Employing q-RT-PCR, we show altered expression of a gene in the tissue of offspring affected by accessibility changes in sperm. Third, we establish a correlation between specific DNA modifications and stress hormone receptor activity as a likely contributing factor influencing sperm accessibility. Finally, we independently investigated this dependency by genetically reducing thymine-DNA glycosylase levels and observing concomitant changes at the level of chromatin accessibility and stress hormone receptor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Fischer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Kretschmer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Luc Germain
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
- Computational Neurogenomics, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Statistical Bioinformatics, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jasmine Kaur
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Mompart-Barrenechea
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Pawel Pelczar
- Center for Transgenic Models, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Schürmann
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Primo Schär
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Gapp
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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5
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Rich MT, Swinford-Jackson SE, Pierce RC. Epigenetic inheritance of phenotypes associated with parental exposure to cocaine. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2023; 99:169-216. [PMID: 38467481 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Parental exposure to drugs of abuse induces changes in the germline that can be transmitted across subsequent generations, resulting in enduring effects on gene expression and behavior. This transgenerational inheritance involves a dynamic interplay of environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors that impact an individual's vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders. This chapter aims to summarize recent research into the mechanisms underlying the inheritance of gene expression and phenotypic patterns associated with exposure to drugs of abuse, with an emphasis on cocaine. We will first define the epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and expression of non-coding RNAs that are impacted by parental cocaine use. We will then explore how parental cocaine use induces heritable epigenetic changes that are linked to alterations in neural circuitry and synaptic plasticity within reward-related circuits, ultimately giving rise to potential behavioral vulnerabilities. This discussion will consider phenotypic differences associated with gestational as well as both maternal and paternal preconception drug exposure and will emphasize differences based on offspring sex. In this context, we explore the complex interactions between genetics, epigenetics, environment, and biological sex. Overall, this chapter consolidates the latest developments in the multigenerational effects and long-term consequences of parental substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Rich
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States.
| | - Sarah E Swinford-Jackson
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - R Christopher Pierce
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
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Choi EY, Franco D, Stapf CA, Gordin M, Chow A, Cover KK, Chandra R, Lobo MK. Inducible CRISPR Epigenome Systems Mimic Cocaine Induced Bidirectional Regulation of Nab2 and Egr3. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2242-2259. [PMID: 36849419 PMCID: PMC10072301 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1802-22.2022] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder is a chronic disease and a leading cause of disability around the world. The NAc is a major brain hub mediating reward behavior. Studies demonstrate exposure to cocaine is associated with molecular and functional imbalance in NAc medium spiny neuron subtypes (MSNs), dopamine receptor 1 and 2 enriched D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs. We previously reported repeated cocaine exposure induced transcription factor early growth response 3 (Egr3) mRNA in NAc D1-MSNs, and reduced it in D2-MSNs. Here, we report our findings of repeated cocaine exposure in male mice inducing MSN subtype-specific bidirectional expression of the Egr3 corepressor NGFI-A-binding protein 2 (Nab2). Using CRISPR activation and interference (CRISPRa and CRISPRi) tools combined with Nab2 or Egr3-targeted sgRNAs, we mimicked these bidirectional changes in Neuro2a cells. Furthermore, we investigated D1-MSN- and D2-MSN-specific expressional changes of histone lysine demethylases Kdm1a, Kdm6a, and Kdm5c in NAc after repeated cocaine exposure in male mice. Since Kdm1a showed bidirectional expression patterns in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs, like Egr3, we developed a light-inducible Opto-CRISPR-KDM1a system. We were able to downregulate Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts in Neuro2A cells and cause similar bidirectional expression changes we observed in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs of mouse repeated cocaine exposure model. Contrastingly, our Opto-CRISPR-p300 activation system induced the Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts and caused opposite bidirectional transcription regulations. Our study sheds light on the expression patterns of Nab2 and Egr3 in specific NAc MSNs in cocaine action and uses CRISPR tools to further mimic these expression patterns.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Substance use disorder is a major societal issue. The lack of medication to treat cocaine addiction desperately calls for a treatment development based on precise understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction. In this study, we show that Egr3 and Nab2 are bidirectionally regulated in mouse NAc D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs after repeated exposure to cocaine. Furthermore, histone lysine demethylations enzymes with putative EGR3 binding sites showed bidirectional regulation in D1- and D2-MSNs after repeated exposure to cocaine. Using Cre- and light-inducible CRISPR tools, we show that we can mimic this bidirectional regulation of Egr3 and Nab2 in Neuro2a cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Daniela Franco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | - Catherine A Stapf
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | | | | | - Kara K Cover
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Center for Innovative Biomedical Resources, Virus Vector Core, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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7
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Barbero G, de Sousa Serro MG, Perez Lujan C, Vitullo AD, González CR, González B. Transcriptome profiling of histone writers/erasers enzymes across spermatogenesis, mature sperm and pre-cleavage embryo: Implications in paternal epigenome transitions and inheritance mechanisms. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1086573. [PMID: 36776561 PMCID: PMC9911891 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1086573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence points out that sperm carry epigenetic instructions to embryo in the form of retained histones marks and RNA cargo that can transmit metabolic and behavioral traits to offspring. However, the mechanisms behind epigenetic inheritance of paternal environment are still poorly understood. Here, we curated male germ cells RNA-seq data and analyzed the expression profile of all known histone lysine writers and erasers enzymes across spermatogenesis, unraveling the developmental windows at which they are upregulated, and the specific activity related to canonical and non-canonical histone marks deposition and removal. We also characterized the epigenetic enzymes signature in the mature sperm RNA cargo, showing most of them positive translation at pre-cleavage zygote, suggesting that paternally-derived enzymes mRNA cooperate with maternal factors to embryo chromatin assembly. Our study shows several histone modifying enzymes not described yet in spermatogenesis and even more, important mechanistic aspects behind transgenerational epigenetics. Epigenetic enzymes not only can respond to environmental stressors, but could function as vectors of epigenetic information and participate in chromatin organization during maternal-to-zygote transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Barbero
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maximiliano G. de Sousa Serro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (Universidad de Buenos Aires–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Camila Perez Lujan
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (Universidad de Buenos Aires–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alfredo D. Vitullo
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Candela R. González
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Betina González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (Universidad de Buenos Aires–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,*Correspondence: Betina González,
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8
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Verdikt R, Armstrong AA, Allard P. Transgenerational inheritance and its modulation by environmental cues. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:31-76. [PMID: 36707214 PMCID: PMC9940302 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The epigenome plays an important role in shaping phenotypes. However, whether the environment can alter an organism's phenotype across several generations through epigenetic remodeling in the germline is still a highly debated topic. In this chapter, we briefly review the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and their connection with germline development before highlighting specific developmental windows of susceptibility to environmental cues. We further discuss the evidence of transgenerational inheritance to a range of different environmental cues, both epidemiological in humans and experimental in rodent models. Doing so, we pinpoint the current challenges in demonstrating transgenerational inheritance to environmental cues and offer insight in how recent technological advances may help deciphering the epigenetic mechanisms at play. Together, we draw a detailed picture of how our environment can influence our epigenomes, ultimately reshaping our phenotypes, in an extended theory of inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane Verdikt
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Abigail A Armstrong
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Patrick Allard
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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da Costa Nunes Gomes AC, Bellin CS, da Silva Dias S, de Queiroz de Rosa T, Araújo MP, Miraglia SM, Mendes TB, Vendramini V. Increased sperm DNA damage leads to poor embryo quality and subfertility of male rats treated with methylphenidate hydrochloride in adolescence. Andrology 2022; 10:1632-1643. [PMID: 36029003 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13277] [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: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) is a psychostimulant widely used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), as well as a performance enhancer, for at least 60 years. Despite the notable effectiveness as a psychostimulant, ADHD is a chronic disorder and has a two-third chance of accompanying the individual throughout life. Long-term use of MPH has been associated not only with an increase in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, but it also has side effects on male fertility in experimental animals. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether methylphenidate poses a risk to sperm DNA structure and to the quality of embryos conceived after treatment during adolescence in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar rats at 38 days of age were treated either with 5 mg/kg body weight of MPH, in a single daily dose for 30 days, via gavage or with distilled water-only protocol. Levels of oxidative stress in testicular and epididymal tissues were evaluated. Sperm chromatin quality and acrosome integrity was assessed under flow cytometry. From 107 days of age, animals were mated with untreated females. The effects of the paternal contribution at two different embryo development moments - cleavage stage (2.5 days post coitum) and late gestation (20 days post coitum) - were analyzed. RESULTS MPH caused high levels of sperm DNA damage, which was reflected in 40% of decrease in early embryo quality and a lower number of live pups at 20 dpc. DISCUSSION The high level of fragmentation seen in the embryos sired from the MPH group is consistent with the poor chromatin structure of the sperm, and does not seem to be a result of oxidative stress in the reproductive tissues. CONCLUSIONS The results presented here suggest that the subchronic use of MPH during male prepubertal phase may cause long term subfertility and compromise embryo survival. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara da Costa Nunes Gomes
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Souza Bellin
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPE/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephanie da Silva Dias
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPE/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thalita de Queiroz de Rosa
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPE/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Pereira Araújo
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPE/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra Maria Miraglia
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Talita Biude Mendes
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Vendramini
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (LabReD), Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo - EPM/UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Substance use, microbiome and psychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 219:173432. [PMID: 35905802 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173432] [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: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence from several studies has shown association between substance use, dysregulation of the microbiome and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Many of the abused substances such as cocaine and alcohol have been shown to alter immune signaling pathways and cause inflammation in both the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, these substances of abuse also alter the composition and function of the gut microbiome which is known to play important roles such as the synthesis of neurotransmitters and metabolites, that affect the CNS homeostasis and consequent behavioral outcomes. The emerging interactions between substance use, microbiome and CNS neurochemical alterations could contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders. This review provides an overview of the associative effects of substance use such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine and opioids on the gut microbiome and psychiatric disorders involving anxiety, depression and psychosis. Understanding the relationship between substance use, microbiome and psychiatric disorders will provide insights for potential therapeutic targets, aimed at mitigating these adverse outcomes.
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11
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Alghobary M, Mostafa T. Addiction and human male fertility: A systematic review and a critical appraisal. Andrology 2022; 10:1073-1095. [PMID: 35588397 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Addiction is a global problem that has many negative consequences on human health as well as the quality of life. OBJECTIVES This review aimed to assess the effect of addiction on human male fertility. METHODS A systematic review was conducted on various electronic sites. RESULTS The initial literature search identified a total of 5239 articles in all searched databases. After removing duplicates and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria,177 were potential articles, 112 were omitted because no direct relevance was encountered. Finally, 65 studies were retained for review. They were classified according to the type of addiction into; opioids and cannabinoids (18 articles), alcohol (7 articles), cocaine (2 articles), Androgenic Anabolic steroids AAS (15 articles), tobacco (10 articles) and caffeine (13 articles). Most of these recruited articles demonstrated a negative impact of the addressed substance on male fertility with variable levels of evidence. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that addiction harms human male fertility that should be put into consideration. More future studies are needed after a proper methodological and statistical approach, including logistic regression analysis, to predict the effect of a specific substance on human male fertility. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moheiddin Alghobary
- Department of Dermatology, Andrology & STIs, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Taymour Mostafa
- Department of Andrology, Sexology & STIs, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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12
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Dias da Silva D, Silva JP, Carmo H, Carvalho F. Neurotoxicity of psychoactive substances: A mechanistic overview. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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13
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Keyser S, van der Horst G, Maree L. Progesterone, Myo-Inositol, Dopamine and Prolactin Present in Follicular Fluid Have Differential Effects on Sperm Motility Subpopulations. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:1250. [PMID: 34833125 PMCID: PMC8617736 DOI: 10.3390/life11111250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the challenges surrounding causative factors in male infertility, rather than relying on standard semen analysis, the assessment of sperm subpopulations and functional characteristics essential for fertilization is paramount. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of sperm interactions with biological components in the female reproductive tract may improve our understanding of subfertility and provide applications in assisted reproductive techniques. We investigated the response of two sperm motility subpopulations (mimicking the functionality of potentially fertile and sub-fertile semen samples) to biological substances present in the female reproductive tract. Donor semen was separated via double density gradient centrifugation, isolated into high (HM) and low motile (LM) sperm subpopulations and incubated in human tubal fluid (HTF), capacitating HTF, HD-C medium, progesterone, myo-inositol, dopamine and prolactin. Treated subpopulations were evaluated for vitality, motility percentages and kinematic parameters, hyperactivation, positive reactive oxygen species (ROS), intact mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and acrosome reaction (AR). While all media had a significantly positive effect on the LM subpopulation, dopamine appeared to significantly improve both subpopulations' functional characteristics. HD-C, progesterone and myo-inositol resulted in increased motility, kinematic and hyperactivation parameters, whereas prolactin and myo-inositol improved the LM subpopulations' MMP intactness and reduced ROS. Furthermore, progesterone, myo-inositol and dopamine improved the HM subpopulations' motility parameters and AR. Our results suggest that treatment of sub-fertile semen samples with biological substances present in follicular fluid might assist the development of new strategies for IVF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Liana Maree
- Comparative Spermatology Laboratory, Department of Medical Bioscience, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (S.K.); (G.v.d.H.)
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14
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Derakhshan N, Yaghmaei S, Keshavarz P. Vagal nerve stimulation for the treatment of male factor infertility. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14043. [PMID: 33929756 DOI: 10.1111/and.14043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nima Derakhshan
- Research Center for Neuromodulation and Pain, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Pedram Keshavarz
- Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology of New Hospitals LTD, Tbilisi, Georgia
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15
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Fisher D, Henkel R. Reply to Letter to the Editor by Derakhshan et al. (2021) 'Vagal nerve stimulation for the treatment of male factor infertility'. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14069. [PMID: 33929763 DOI: 10.1111/and.14069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Fisher
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ralf Henkel
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.,Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,LogixX Pharma Ltd, Merlin House, Theale, Reading, Berkshire, UK
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Monchaux De Oliveira C, Pourtau L, Vancassel S, Pouchieu C, Capuron L, Gaudout D, Castanon N. Saffron Extract-Induced Improvement of Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice Is Associated with Modulation of Monoaminergic Neurotransmission. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13030904. [PMID: 33799507 PMCID: PMC8001199 DOI: 10.3390/nu13030904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive disorders represent a major public health concern and display a continuously rising prevalence. Importantly, a large proportion of patients develops aversive side effects and/or does not respond properly to conventional antidepressants. These issues highlight the need to identify further therapeutic strategies, including nutritional approaches using natural plant extracts with known beneficial impacts on health. In that context, growing evidence suggests that saffron could be a particularly promising candidate. This preclinical study aimed therefore to test its antidepressant-like properties in mice and to decipher the underlying mechanisms by focusing on monoaminergic neurotransmission, due to its strong implication in mood disorders. For this purpose, the behavioral and neurobiochemical impact of a saffron extract, Safr’Inside™ (6.5 mg/kg per os) was measured in naïve mice. Saffron extract reduced depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test. This behavioral improvement was associated with neurobiological modifications, particularly changes in serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, suggesting that Safr’Inside™ may share common targets with conventional pharmacological antidepressants. This study provides useful information on the therapeutic relevance of nutritional interventions with saffron extracts to improve management of mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Monchaux De Oliveira
- INRAE, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.M.D.O.); (S.V.); (L.C.)
- Department of Life Science and Health, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), Bordeaux University, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Activ’Inside, 33750 Beychac-et-Caillau, France; (L.P.); (C.P.); (D.G.)
| | - Line Pourtau
- Activ’Inside, 33750 Beychac-et-Caillau, France; (L.P.); (C.P.); (D.G.)
| | - Sylvie Vancassel
- INRAE, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.M.D.O.); (S.V.); (L.C.)
- Department of Life Science and Health, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), Bordeaux University, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Camille Pouchieu
- Activ’Inside, 33750 Beychac-et-Caillau, France; (L.P.); (C.P.); (D.G.)
| | - Lucile Capuron
- INRAE, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.M.D.O.); (S.V.); (L.C.)
- Department of Life Science and Health, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), Bordeaux University, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - David Gaudout
- Activ’Inside, 33750 Beychac-et-Caillau, France; (L.P.); (C.P.); (D.G.)
| | - Nathalie Castanon
- INRAE, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.M.D.O.); (S.V.); (L.C.)
- Department of Life Science and Health, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), Bordeaux University, UMR 1286, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-5-57-57-45-05
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González CR, González B. Exploring the Stress Impact in the Paternal Germ Cells Epigenome: Can Catecholamines Induce Epigenetic Reprogramming? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:630948. [PMID: 33679612 PMCID: PMC7933579 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.630948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is characterized by unique epigenetic programs that enable chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation for proper meiotic divisions and germ cells maturation. Paternal lifestyle stressors such as diet, drug abuse, or psychological trauma can directly impact the germ cell epigenome and transmit phenotypes to the next generation, pointing to the importance of epigenetic regulation during spermatogenesis. It is established that environmental perturbations can affect the development and behavior of the offspring through epigenetic inheritance, including changes in small non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation, and histones post-translational modifications. But how male germ cells react to lifestyle stressors and encode them in the paternal epigenome is still a research gap. Most lifestyle stressors activate catecholamine circuits leading to both acute and long-term changes in neural functions, and epigenetic mechanisms show strong links to both long-term and rapid, dynamic gene expression regulation during stress. Importantly, the testis shares a molecular and transcriptional signature with the brain tissue, including a rich expression of catecholaminergic elements in germ cells that seem to respond to stressors with similar epigenetic and transcriptional profiles. In this minireview, we put on stage the action of catecholamines as possible mediators between paternal stress responses and epigenetic marks alterations during spermatogenesis. Understanding the epigenetic regulation in spermatogenesis will contribute to unravel the coding mechanisms in the transmission of the biological impacts of stress between generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela R. González
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Betina González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (Universidad de Buenos Aires–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Betina González,
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