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Mukherjee SK, Papadakis JE, Arman DM, Islam J, Azim M, Rahman A, Ekramullah SM, Suchanda HS, Farooque A, Warf BC, Mazumdar M. The Importance of Neurosurgical Intervention and Surgical Timing for Management of Pediatric Patients with Myelomeningoceles in Bangladesh. World Neurosurg 2024; 187:e673-e682. [PMID: 38685347 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.04.144] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reports on the management and survival of children with myelomeningocele defects in Bangladesh are limited. This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of these children, focusing on the timing of surgical repair and factors affecting survival. METHODS We enrolled patients with myelomeningoceles in a case-control study on arsenic exposure and spina bifida in Bangladesh. Cases were subsequently followed at regular intervals to assess survival. Demographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics were reviewed. Univariate tests identified factors affecting survival. RESULTS Between 2016 and 2022, we enrolled 272 patients with myelomeningocele. Postnatal surgical repair was performed in 63% of cases. However, surgery within 5 days after birth was infrequent (<10%) due to delayed presentation, and there was a high rate (29%) of preoperative deaths. Surgical repair significantly improved patient survival (P < 0.0001). Older age at time of surgery was also associated with improved survival rates, which most likely represents that those who survived to older ages prior to surgery accommodated better with their lesions. Patients who presented with ruptured lesions had lower survival rates. CONCLUSIONS Timely neurosurgical repair of myelomeningoceles in Bangladesh is hindered by late patient presentation, resulting in a high preoperative patient death rate. Neurosurgical intervention remains a significant predictor of survival. Increased access to neurosurgical care and education of families and non-neurosurgical providers on the need for timely surgical intervention are important for improving the survival of infants with myelomeningoceles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Kumer Mukherjee
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Joanna E Papadakis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - D M Arman
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Joynul Islam
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Asifur Rahman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sheikh Muhammad Ekramullah
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Hafiza Sultana Suchanda
- Paediatric Neurosurgery Research Committee, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Afifah Farooque
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Benjamin C Warf
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maitreyi Mazumdar
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Caiaffa CD, Tukeman G, Delgado CZ, Ambekar YS, Mekonnen TT, Singh M, Rodriguez V, Ricco E, Kraushaar D, Aglyamov SR, Scarcelli G, Larin KV, Finnell RH, Cabrera RM. Dolutegravir induces FOLR1 expression during brain organoid development. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1394058. [PMID: 38828282 PMCID: PMC11140035 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1394058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
During the first month of pregnancy, the brain and spinal cord are formed through a process called neurulation. However, this process can be altered by low serum levels of folic acid, environmental factors, or genetic predispositions. In 2018, a surveillance study in Botswana, a country with a high incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and lacking mandatory food folate fortification programs, found that newborns whose mothers were taking dolutegravir (DTG) during the first trimester of pregnancy had an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). As a result, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have issued guidelines emphasizing the potential risks associated with the use of DTG-based antiretroviral therapies during pregnancy. To elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the DTG-induced NTDs, we sought to assess the potential neurotoxicity of DTG in stem cell-derived brain organoids. The gene expression of brain organoids developed in the presence of DTG was analyzed by RNA sequencing, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE), and Brillouin microscopy. The sequencing data shows that DTG induces the expression of the folate receptor (FOLR1) and modifies the expression of genes required for neurogenesis. The Brillouin frequency shift observed at the surface of DTG-exposed brain organoids indicates an increase in superficial tissue stiffness. In contrast, reverberant OCE measurements indicate decreased organoid volumes and internal stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Donato Caiaffa
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Gabriel Tukeman
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Yogeshwari S. Ambekar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Taye T. Mekonnen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Manmohan Singh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Victoria Rodriguez
- Genomic and RNA Profiling Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Emily Ricco
- Genomic and RNA Profiling Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Daniel Kraushaar
- Genomic and RNA Profiling Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Salavat R. Aglyamov
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Kirill V. Larin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Robert M. Cabrera
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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Ambekar YS, Caiaffa CD, Wlodarczyk BJ, Singh M, Schill AW, Steele JW, Zhang J, Aglyamov SR, Scarcelli G, Finnell RH, Larin KV. Optical coherence tomography-guided Brillouin microscopy highlights regional tissue stiffness differences during anterior neural tube closure in the Mthfd1l murine mutant. Development 2024; 151:dev202475. [PMID: 38682273 PMCID: PMC11165724 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202475] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Neurulation is a highly synchronized biomechanical process leading to the formation of the brain and spinal cord, and its failure leads to neural tube defects (NTDs). Although we are rapidly learning the genetic mechanisms underlying NTDs, the biomechanical aspects are largely unknown. To understand the correlation between NTDs and tissue stiffness during neural tube closure (NTC), we imaged an NTD murine model using optical coherence tomography (OCT), Brillouin microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Here, we associate structural information from OCT with local stiffness from the Brillouin signal of embryos undergoing neurulation. The stiffness of neuroepithelial tissues in Mthfd1l null embryos was significantly lower than that of wild-type embryos. Additionally, exogenous formate supplementation improved tissue stiffness and gross embryonic morphology in nullizygous and heterozygous embryos. Our results demonstrate the significance of proper tissue stiffness in normal NTC and pave the way for future studies on the mechanobiology of normal and abnormal embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlo Donato Caiaffa
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, USA
| | - Bogdan J. Wlodarczyk
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Manmohan Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Alexander W. Schill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - John W. Steele
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jitao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Salavat R. Aglyamov
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kirill V. Larin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Vong KI, Lee S, Au KS, Crowley TB, Capra V, Martino J, Haller M, Araújo C, Machado HR, George R, Gerding B, James KN, Stanley V, Jiang N, Alu K, Meave N, Nidhiry AS, Jiwani F, Tang I, Nisal A, Jhamb I, Patel A, Patel A, McEvoy-Venneri J, Barrows C, Shen C, Ha YJ, Howarth R, Strain M, Ashley-Koch AE, Azam M, Mumtaz S, Bot GM, Finnell RH, Kibar Z, Marwan AI, Melikishvili G, Meltzer HS, Mutchinick OM, Stevenson DA, Mroczkowski HJ, Ostrander B, Schindewolf E, Moldenhauer J, Zackai EH, Emanuel BS, Garcia-Minaur S, Nowakowska BA, Stevenson RE, Zaki MS, Northrup H, McNamara HK, Aldinger KA, Phelps IG, Deng M, Glass IA, Morrow B, McDonald-McGinn DM, Sanna-Cherchi S, Lamb DJ, Gleeson JG. Risk of meningomyelocele mediated by the common 22q11.2 deletion. Science 2024; 384:584-590. [PMID: 38696583 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl1624] [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: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Meningomyelocele is one of the most severe forms of neural tube defects (NTDs) and the most frequent structural birth defect of the central nervous system. We assembled the Spina Bifida Sequencing Consortium to identify causes. Exome and genome sequencing of 715 parent-offspring trios identified six patients with chromosomal 22q11.2 deletions, suggesting a 23-fold increased risk compared with the general population. Furthermore, analysis of a separate 22q11.2 deletion cohort suggested a 12- to 15-fold increased NTD risk of meningomyelocele. The loss of Crkl, one of several neural tube-expressed genes within the minimal deletion interval, was sufficient to replicate NTDs in mice, where both penetrance and expressivity were exacerbated by maternal folate deficiency. Thus, the common 22q11.2 deletion confers substantial meningomyelocele risk, which is partially alleviated by folate supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keng Ioi Vong
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Sangmoon Lee
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Kit Sing Au
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - T Blaine Crowley
- 22q and You Center, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Valeria Capra
- Genomics and Clinical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Jeremiah Martino
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, NY 10027, USA
| | - Meade Haller
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, TX 77030, USA
| | - Camila Araújo
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Hélio R Machado
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Renee George
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Bryn Gerding
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Kiely N James
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Valentina Stanley
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Kameron Alu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Naomi Meave
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Anna S Nidhiry
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Fiza Jiwani
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Isaac Tang
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Ashna Nisal
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Ishani Jhamb
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Arzoo Patel
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Aakash Patel
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Jennifer McEvoy-Venneri
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Chelsea Barrows
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Celina Shen
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Yoo-Jin Ha
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Robyn Howarth
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Madison Strain
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Matloob Azam
- Pediatrics and Child Neurology, Wah Medical College, Wah Cantt, Punjab 47000, Pakistan
| | - Sara Mumtaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Punjab 46000, Pakistan
| | - Gyang Markus Bot
- Neurosurgery Division, Department of Surgery, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos 930105, Nigeria
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zoha Kibar
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Montreal and CHU Sainte Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Ahmed I Marwan
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Colorado Fetal Care Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Gia Melikishvili
- Department of Pediatrics, MediClubGeorgia Medical Center, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
| | - Hal S Meltzer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Osvaldo M Mutchinick
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - David A Stevenson
- Division of Medical Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Henry J Mroczkowski
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Tennessee Health Science Campus, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Betsy Ostrander
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA
| | - Erica Schindewolf
- Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julie Moldenhauer
- Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elaine H Zackai
- 22q and You Center, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Beverly S Emanuel
- 22q and You Center, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sixto Garcia-Minaur
- Clinical Genetics Section, Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Beata A Nowakowska
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roger E Stevenson
- JC Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC 29646, USA
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo 12311, Egypt
| | - Hope Northrup
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hanna K McNamara
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Kimberly A Aldinger
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Ian G Phelps
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Mei Deng
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Ian A Glass
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Bernice Morrow
- Division of Translational Genetics, Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Donna M McDonald-McGinn
- 22q and You Center, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Human Biology and Medical Genetics, Sapienza University, 00185-Rome RM, Italy
| | - Simone Sanna-Cherchi
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, NY 10027, USA
| | - Dolores J Lamb
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Urology, Center for Reproductive Genomics, Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Joseph G Gleeson
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
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Cao R, Su Y, Li J, Ao R, Xu X, Liang Y, Liu Z, Yu Q, Xie J. Exploring research hotspots and future directions in neural tube defects field by bibliometric and bioinformatics analysis. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1293400. [PMID: 38650623 PMCID: PMC11033379 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1293400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) is the most common birth defect of the central nervous system (CNS) which causes the death of almost 88,000 people every year around the world. Much efforts have been made to investigate the reasons that contribute to NTD and explore new ways to for prevention. We trawl the past decade (2013-2022) published records in order to get a worldwide view about NTDs research field. Methods 7,437 records about NTDs were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Tools such as shell scripts, VOSviewer, SCImago Graphica, CiteSpace and PubTator were used for data analysis and visualization. Results Over the past decade, the number of publications has maintained an upward trend, except for 2022. The United States is the country with the highest number of publications and also with the closest collaboration with other countries. Baylor College of Medicine has the closest collaboration with other institutions worldwide and also was the most prolific institution. In the field of NTDs, research focuses on molecular mechanisms such as genes and signaling pathways related to folate metabolism, neurogenic diseases caused by neural tube closure disorders such as myelomeningocele and spina bifida, and prevention and treatment such as folate supplementation and surgical procedures. Most NTDs related genes are related to development, cell projection parts, and molecular binding. These genes are mainly concentrated in cancer, Wnt, MAPK, PI3K-Akt and other signaling pathways. The distribution of NTDs related SNPs on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 11, 14, and 17 are relatively concentrated, which may be associated with high-risk of NTDs. Conclusion Bibliometric analysis of the literature on NTDs field provided the current status, hotspots and future directions to some extant. Further bioinformatics analysis expanded our understanding of NTDs-related genes function and revealed some important SNP clusters and loci. This study provided some guidance for further studies. More extensive cooperation and further research are needed to overcome the ongoing challenge in pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Translational Medicine Research Centre, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanbing Su
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jianting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruifang Ao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiangchao Xu
- Sci-Tech Information and Strategic Research Center of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuxiang Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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6
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Kelani AB, Catala M. Family with recurrent cases of neural tube defects in Niamey (Niger). Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:975-976. [PMID: 38411705 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06334-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
A series of patients affected by neural tube defects have been studied in Niamey (Niger). This population is highly consanguineous and we try estimating the number of cases in which a previous identical malformation has been reported in the family. We found only 4 families indicating that the percentage of such families is not increased in our population. However, we think that studying genetic factors in this specific population could allow to demonstrate susceptibility genes that can act on this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Kelani
- Service de Neurochirurgie Hôpital National de Niamey (HNN), Niamey, Niger
- Faculté des Sciences de la Santé-Université, Abdou Moumouni (UAM) de Niamey, Niamey, Niger
| | - M Catala
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7622, Institut National pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1156, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine-Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement (IBPS-LBD), 9 Quai Saint-Bernard, 75005, Paris, France.
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7
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Caiaffa CD, Ambekar YS, Singh M, Lin YL, Wlodarczyk B, Aglyamov SR, Scarcelli G, Larin KV, Finnell RH. Disruption of Fuz in mouse embryos generates hypoplastic hindbrain development and reduced cranial nerve ganglia. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 38501709 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain and spinal cord formation is initiated in the earliest stages of mammalian pregnancy in a highly organized process known as neurulation. Environmental or genetic interferences can impair neurulation, resulting in clinically significant birth defects known collectively as neural tube defects. The Fuz gene encodes a subunit of the CPLANE complex, a macromolecular planar polarity effector required for ciliogenesis. Ablation of Fuz in mouse embryos results in exencephaly and spina bifida, including dysmorphic craniofacial structures due to defective cilia formation and impaired Sonic Hedgehog signaling. RESULTS We demonstrate that knocking Fuz out during embryonic mouse development results in a hypoplastic hindbrain phenotype, displaying abnormal rhombomeres with reduced length and width. This phenotype is associated with persistent reduction of ventral neuroepithelial stiffness in a notochord adjacent area at the level of the rhombomere 5. The formation of cranial and paravertebral ganglia is also impaired in these embryos. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that hypoplastic hindbrain development, identified by abnormal rhombomere morphology and persistent loss of ventral neuroepithelial stiffness, precedes exencephaly in Fuz ablated murine mutants, indicating that the gene Fuz has a critical function sustaining normal neural tube development and neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Donato Caiaffa
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Yogeshwari S Ambekar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Manmohan Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ying Linda Lin
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bogdan Wlodarczyk
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Salavat R Aglyamov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Kirill V Larin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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8
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Lu L, Bai M, Zheng Y, Wang X, Chen Z, Peng R, Finnell RH, Zhao T, Li C, Wu B, Lei Y, Li J, Wang H. The interaction of endorepellin and neurexin triggers neuroepithelial autophagy and maintains neural tube development. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024:S2095-9273(24)00182-8. [PMID: 38702277 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) gene encodes the matrix protein Perlecan, and genetic inactivation of this gene creates mice that are embryonic lethal with severe neural tube defects (NTDs). We discovered rare genetic variants of HSPG2 in 10% cases compared to only 4% in controls among a cohort of 369 NTDs. Endorepellin, a peptide cleaved from the domain V of Perlecan, is known to promote angiogenesis and autophagy in endothelial cells. The roles of enderepellin in neurodevelopment remain unclear so far. Our study revealed that endorepellin can migrate to the neuroepithelial cells and then be recognized and bind with the neuroepithelia receptor neurexin in vivo. Through the endocytic pathway, the interaction of endorepellin and neurexin physiologically triggers autophagy and appropriately modulates the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons as a blocker, which is necessary for normal neural tube closure. We created knock-in (KI) mouse models with human-derived HSPG2 variants, using sperm-like stem cells that had been genetically edited by CRISPR/Cas9. We realized that any HSPG2 variants that affected the function of endorepellin were considered pathogenic causal variants for human NTDs given that the severe NTD phenotypes exhibited by these KI embryos occurred in a significantly higher response frequency compared to wildtype embryos. Our study provides a paradigm for effectively confirming pathogenic mutations in other genetic diseases. Furthermore, we demonstrated that using autophagy inhibitors at a cellular level can repress neuronal differentiation. Therefore, autophagy agonists may prevent NTDs resulting from failed autophagy maintenance and neuronal over-differentiation caused by deleterious endorepellin variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Meizhu Bai
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yufang Zheng
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Xiukun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhongzhong Chen
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Rui Peng
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Tongjin Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen 518028, China
| | - Yunping Lei
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA.
| | - Jinsong Li
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen 518028, China; Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
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9
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Tindula G, Issac B, Mukherjee SK, Ekramullah SM, Arman DM, Islam J, Suchanda HS, Sun L, Rockowitz S, Christiani DC, Warf BC, Mazumdar M. Genome-wide analysis of spina bifida risk variants in a case-control study from Bangladesh. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2331. [PMID: 38526198 PMCID: PMC10963057 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2331] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human studies of genetic risk factors for neural tube defects, severe birth defects associated with long-term health consequences in surviving children, have predominantly been restricted to a subset of candidate genes in specific biological pathways including folate metabolism. METHODS In this study, we investigated the association of genetic variants spanning the genome with risk of spina bifida (i.e., myelomeningocele and meningocele) in a subset of families enrolled from December 2016 through December 2022 in a case-control study in Bangladesh, a population often underrepresented in genetic studies. Saliva DNA samples were analyzed using the Illumina Global Screening Array. We performed genetic association analyses to compare allele frequencies between 112 case and 121 control children, 272 mothers, and 128 trios. RESULTS In the transmission disequilibrium test analyses with trios only, we identified three novel exonic spina bifida risk loci, including rs140199800 (SULT1C2, p = 1.9 × 10-7), rs45580033 (ASB2, p = 4.2 × 10-10), and rs75426652 (LHPP, p = 7.2 × 10-14), after adjusting for multiple hypothesis testing. Association analyses comparing cases and controls, as well as models that included their mothers, did not identify genome-wide significant variants. CONCLUSIONS This study identified three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in biological pathways not previously associated with neural tube defects. The study warrants replication in larger groups to validate findings and to inform targeted prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen Tindula
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Biju Issac
- Research Computing, Information Technology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Sudipta Kumer Mukherjee
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
| | - Sheikh Muhammad Ekramullah
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
| | - DM Arman
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
| | - Joynul Islam
- Department of Clinical Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
| | - Hafiza Sultana Suchanda
- Pediatric Neurosurgery Research Committee, National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargoan, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
| | - Liang Sun
- Research Computing, Information Technology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Shira Rockowitz
- Research Computing, Information Technology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
- The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - David C. Christiani
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Benjamin C. Warf
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Maitreyi Mazumdar
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
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10
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Pérez Millán MI, Cheung LYM, Mercogliano F, Camilletti MA, Chirino Felker GT, Moro LN, Miriuka S, Brinkmeier ML, Camper SA. Pituitary stem cells: past, present and future perspectives. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:77-92. [PMID: 38102391 PMCID: PMC10964491 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00922-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary cells that express the transcription factor SOX2 are stem cells because they can self-renew and differentiate into multiple pituitary hormone-producing cell types as organoids. Wounding and physiological challenges can activate pituitary stem cells, but cell numbers are not fully restored, and the ability to mobilize stem cells decreases with increasing age. The basis of these limitations is still unknown. The regulation of stem cell quiescence and activation involves many different signalling pathways, including those mediated by WNT, Hippo and several cytokines; more research is needed to understand the interactions between these pathways. Pituitary organoids can be formed from human or mouse embryonic stem cells, or from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Human pituitary organoid transplantation is sufficient to induce corticosterone release in hypophysectomized mice, raising the possibility of therapeutic applications. Today, pituitary organoids have the potential to assess the role of individual genes and genetic variants on hormone production ex vivo, providing an important tool for the advancement of exciting frontiers in pituitary stem cell biology and pituitary organogenesis. In this article, we provide an overview of notable discoveries in pituitary stem cell function and highlight important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Inés Pérez Millán
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonard Y M Cheung
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Florencia Mercogliano
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Andrea Camilletti
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo T Chirino Felker
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia N Moro
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Miriuka
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michelle L Brinkmeier
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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11
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Stokes G, Li Z, Talaba N, Genthe W, Brix MB, Pham B, Wienhold MD, Sandok G, Hernan R, Wynn J, Tang H, Tabima DM, Rodgers A, Hacker TA, Chesler NC, Zhang P, Murad R, Yuan JXJ, Shen Y, Chung WK, McCulley DJ. Rescuing lung development through embryonic inhibition of histone acetylation. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadc8930. [PMID: 38295182 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adc8930] [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: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
A major barrier to the impact of genomic diagnosis in patients with congenital malformations is the lack of understanding regarding how sequence variants contribute to disease pathogenesis and whether this information could be used to generate patient-specific therapies. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is among the most common and severe of all structural malformations; however, its underlying mechanisms are unclear. We identified loss-of-function sequence variants in the epigenomic regulator gene SIN3A in two patients with complex CDH. Tissue-specific deletion of Sin3a in mice resulted in defects in diaphragm development, lung hypoplasia, and pulmonary hypertension, the cardinal features of CDH and major causes of CDH-associated mortality. Loss of SIN3A in the lung mesenchyme resulted in reduced cellular differentiation, impaired cell proliferation, and increased DNA damage. Treatment of embryonic Sin3a mutant mice with anacardic acid, an inhibitor of histone acetyltransferase, reduced DNA damage, increased cell proliferation and differentiation, improved lung and pulmonary vascular development, and reduced pulmonary hypertension. These findings demonstrate that restoring the balance of histone acetylation can improve lung development in the Sin3a mouse model of CDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giangela Stokes
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Zhuowei Li
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nicole Talaba
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - William Genthe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Maria B Brix
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Betty Pham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Gracia Sandok
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Rebecca Hernan
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Julia Wynn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Haiyang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Diana M Tabima
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Allison Rodgers
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Timothy A Hacker
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Naomi C Chesler
- Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Pan Zhang
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Rabi Murad
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jason X-J Yuan
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yufeng Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Department of Biomedical Informatics, and JP Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David J McCulley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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12
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Liang Y, Wang Y, Zhang X, Jin S, Guo Y, Yu Z, Xu X, Shuai Q, Feng Z, Chen B, Liang T, Ao R, Li J, Zhang J, Cao R, Zhao H, Chen Z, Liu Z, Xie J. Melatonin alleviates valproic acid-induced neural tube defects by modulating Src/PI3K/ERK signaling and oxidative stress. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:23-33. [PMID: 38062774 PMCID: PMC10875364 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023234] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) represent a developmental disorder of the nervous system that can lead to significant disability in children and impose substantial social burdens. Valproic acid (VPA), a widely prescribed first-line antiepileptic drug for epilepsy and various neurological conditions, has been associated with a 4-fold increase in the risk of NTDs when used during pregnancy. Consequently, urgent efforts are required to identify innovative prevention and treatment approaches for VPA-induced NTDs. Studies have demonstrated that the disruption in the delicate balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is a crucial factor contributing to NTDs induced by VPA. Encouragingly, our current data reveal that melatonin (MT) significantly inhibits apoptosis while promoting the restoration of neuroepithelial cell proliferation impaired by VPA. Moreover, further investigations demonstrate that MT substantially reduces the incidence of neural tube malformations resulted from VPA exposure, primarily by suppressing apoptosis through the modulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. In addition, the Src/PI3K/ERK signaling pathway appears to play a pivotal role in VPA-induced NTDs, with significant inhibition observed in the affected samples. Notably, MT treatment successfully reinstates Src/PI3K/ERK signaling, thereby offering a potential underlying mechanism for the protective effects of MT against VPA-induced NTDs. In summary, our current study substantiates the considerable protective potential of MT in mitigating VPA-triggered NTDs, thereby offering valuable strategies for the clinical management of VPA-related birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
- Experimental Animal Center of Shanxi Medical UniversityShanxi Key Laboratory of Human Disease and Animal ModelsTaiyuan030001China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
- School of PharmacyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Shanshan Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Yuqian Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zhaowei Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
- School of PharmacyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Xinrui Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Qizhi Shuai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zihan Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Binghong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Ting Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Ruifang Ao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Jianting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Rui Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zhaoyang Chen
- Experimental Animal Center of Shanxi Medical UniversityShanxi Key Laboratory of Human Disease and Animal ModelsTaiyuan030001China
| | - Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell RegenerationMOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and PreventionShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030001China
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Berhane A, Belachew T. Determinants of neural tube defects among women who gave birth in hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia: evidence from a matched case control study. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:662. [PMID: 38071290 PMCID: PMC10710723 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02796-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe birth defects caused by nutritional, genetic or environmental factors. Because NTDs continue to have a significant health and economic impact on children and community at large, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors in order to develop novel approaches to NTDs prevention. Determinants for the development of NTDs differ by country, region as well as within the country. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of NTDs among newborns delivered in three hospitals found in eastern Ethiopia. METHODS A hospital-based matched case-control study was conducted among 138 cases and 138 control women who delivered in three teaching hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia in 2021. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Cases were mothers who delivered a neonate with any type of NTDs regardless of gestational age or fetal viability, whereas controls were mothers who delivered an apparently healthy newborn. Chi-square was used to assess the significant difference between the two groups. Conditional logistic regression model was used to generate adjusted odds ratio with its corresponding 95% confidence intervals and compare the two groups. RESULTS Anencephaly (51.4%) and spinal bifida (34.1%) were the most frequently observed NTDs. None of study participants took preconception folic acid supplementation. Being a non-formal mothers (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12-0.92, P = 0.034), rural residence, (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.18-9.78, P = 0.023), history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.15-7.55, P = 0.023), having severe anemia (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.17-9.87, P = 0.024), history of fever or cold (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.05-7.15, P = 0.038), and an exposure to various agro-chemicals (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.11-10.3, P = 0.032) were independent determinants of NTDs. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION In this study, NTDs were associated to several determinant factors in the area, including residential area, history of spontaneous abortion, severe anemia, fever/cold, antibiotic use before or during early pregnancy, and exposure to agrochemicals. Addressing the identified determinants is critical in averting the incidence of NTDs in the study area. Moreover, more research is needed to investigate women's dietary practices as well as the practice of preconception folic acid supplementation for pregnant women in Ethiopia's current health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anteneh Berhane
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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14
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Edri T, Cohen D, Shabtai Y, Fainsod A. Alcohol induces neural tube defects by reducing retinoic acid signaling and promoting neural plate expansion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1282273. [PMID: 38116205 PMCID: PMC10728305 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1282273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most debilitating and common developmental defects in humans. The induction of NTDs has been attributed to abnormal folic acid (vitamin B9) metabolism, Wnt and BMP signaling, excess retinoic acid (RA), dietary components, environmental factors, and many others. In the present study we show that reduced RA signaling, including alcohol exposure, induces NTDs. Methods: Xenopus embryos were exposed to pharmacological RA biosynthesis inhibitors to study the induction of NTDs. Embryos were treated with DEAB, citral, or ethanol, all of which inhibit the biosynthesis of RA, or injected to overexpress Cyp26a1 to reduce RA. NTD induction was studied using neural plate and notochord markers together with morphological analysis. Expression of the neuroectodermal regulatory network and cell proliferation were analyzed to understand the morphological malformations of the neural plate. Results: Reducing RA signaling levels using retinaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ethanol, DEAB, and citral) or Cyp26a1-driven degradation efficiently induce NTDs. These NTDs can be rescued by providing precursors of RA. We mapped this RA requirement to early gastrula stages during the induction of neural plate precursors. This reduced RA signaling results in abnormal expression of neural network genes, including the neural plate stem cell maintenance genes, geminin, and foxd4l1.1. This abnormal expression of neural network genes results in increased proliferation of neural precursors giving rise to an expanded neural plate. Conclusion: We show that RA signaling is required for neural tube closure during embryogenesis. RA signaling plays a very early role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the neural plate soon after the induction of neural progenitors during gastrulation. RA signaling disruption leads to the induction of NTDs through the mis regulation of the early neuroectodermal network, leading to increased proliferation resulting in the expansion of the neural plate. Ethanol exposure induces NTDs through this mechanism involving reduced RA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Abraham Fainsod
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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15
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Lee JH, Shaker MR, Park SH, Sun W. Transcriptional Signature of Valproic Acid-Induced Neural Tube Defects in Human Spinal Cord Organoids. Int J Stem Cells 2023; 16:385-393. [PMID: 37643760 PMCID: PMC10686804 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the entire central nervous system is derived from the neural tube, which is formed through a conserved early developmental morphogenetic process called neurulation. Although the perturbations in neurulation caused by genetic or environmental factors lead to neural tube defects (NTDs), the most common congenital malformation and the precise molecular pathological cascades mediating NTDs are not well understood. Recently, we have developed human spinal cord organoids (hSCOs) that recapitulate some aspects of human neurulation and observed that valproic acid (VPA) could cause neurulation defects in an organoid model. In this study, we identified and verified the significant changes in cell-cell junctional genes/proteins in VPA-treated organoids using transcriptomic and immunostaining analysis. Furthermore, VPA-treated mouse embryos exhibited impaired gene expression and NTD phenotypes, similar to those observed in the hSCO model. Collectively, our data demonstrate that hSCOs provide a valuable biological resource for dissecting the molecular pathways underlying the currently unknown human neurulation process using destructive biological analysis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mohammed R. Shaker
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Si-Hyung Park
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Tesfay N, Hailu G, Habtetsion M, Woldeyohannes F. Birth prevalence and risk factors of neural tube defects in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e077685. [PMID: 37940152 PMCID: PMC10632862 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077685] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to estimate the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) and to identify potential risk factors in the Ethiopian context. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. STUDY PARTICIPANTS A total of 611 064 participants were included in the review obtained from 42 studies. METHODS PubMed (Medline), Embase and Cochrane Library databases in combination with other potential sources of literature were systematically searched, whereby studies conducted between January 2010 and December 2022 were targeted in the review process. All observational studies were included and heterogeneity between studies was verified using Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test statistics. Small study effects were checked using Egger's statistical test at a 5% significance level. RESULT The pooled prevalence of all NTDs per 10 000 births in Ethiopia was 71.48 (95% CI 57.80 to 86.58). The between-study heterogeneity was high (I2= 97.49%, p<0.0001). Birth prevalence of spina bifida (33.99 per 10 000) was higher than anencephaly (23.70 per 10 000), and encephalocele (4.22 per 10 000). Unbooked antenatal care (AOR 2.26, 95% CI (1.30 to 3.94)), preconception intake of folic acid (AOR 0.41, 95% CI (0.26 to 0.66)), having chronic medical illness (AOR 2.06, 95% CI (1.42 to 2.99)), drinking alcohol (AOR 2.70, 95% CI (1.89 to 3.85)), smoking cigarette (AOR 2.49, 95% CI (1.51 to 4.11)), chewing khat (AOR 3.30, 95% CI (1.88 to 5.80)), exposure to pesticides (AOR 3.87, 95% CI (2.63 to 5.71)), maternal age ≥35 (AOR 1.90, 95% CI (1.13 to 3.25)), maternal low educational status (AOR 1.60, 95% CI (1.13 to 2.24)), residing in urban areas (AOR 0.75, 95% CI (0.58 to 0.97))and family history of NTDs (AOR 2.51, 95% CI (1.36 to 4.62)) were associated with NTD cases. CONCLUSION The prevalence of NTDs in Ethiopia is seven times as high as in other Western countries where prevention measures are put in place. Heredity, maternal and environmental factors are associated with a high prevalence of NTDs. Mandatory fortification of staple food with folic acid should be taken as a priority intervention to curb the burden of NTDs. To smoothen and overlook the pace of implementation of mass fortification, screening, and monitoring surveillance systems should be in place along with awareness-raising measures. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42023413490.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neamin Tesfay
- Centre of Public Health Emergency Management, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Girmay Hailu
- Centre of Public Health Emergency Management, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Medhanye Habtetsion
- Centre of Public Health Emergency Management, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fistum Woldeyohannes
- Health Financing Program, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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17
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Wang S, He X, Wang Y, Zeng Y, Pei P, Zhan X, Zhang M, Zhang T. Intergenerational association of gut microbiota and metabolism with perinatal folate metabolism and neural tube defects. iScience 2023; 26:107514. [PMID: 37636040 PMCID: PMC10457452 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107514] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Disorders of folic acid metabolism during pregnancy lead to fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the mechanisms still require further investigation. Here, we aim to analyze the brain metabolic profiles of 30 NTDs and 30 healthy fetuses. Our results indicated that low-folate diet during early life played a causal role in cerebral metabolism, especially in lipometabolic disturbance, highlighting the importance of folate in modulating brain development and metabolism. Next, we established a mouse model of NTDs. Interestingly, the differential metabolites are mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids both in human and mice fetal brain. Since intestinal microbes could critically regulate neurofunction via the intestinal-brain axis, we further found the abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the gut of pregnant mice were correlated with the abundances of lipid metabolism related metabolites in the fetal brain. This finding probably reflects the intergenerational microbial-metabolism biomarkers of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Wang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics-Peking University Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xuejia He
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics-Peking University Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yubing Zeng
- Children’s Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Pei Pei
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhan
- Otorhinolaryngologic Department, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics-Peking University Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100020, China
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18
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Keuls RA, Finnell RH, Parchem RJ. Maternal metabolism influences neural tube closure. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:539-553. [PMID: 37468429 PMCID: PMC10529122 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Changes in maternal nutrient availability due to diet or disease significantly increase the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Because the incidence of metabolic disease continues to rise, it is urgent that we better understand how altered maternal nutrient levels can influence embryonic neural tube development. Furthermore, primary neurulation occurs before placental function during a period of histiotrophic nutrient exchange. In this review we detail how maternal metabolites are transported by the yolk sac to the developing embryo. We discuss recent advances in understanding how altered maternal levels of essential nutrients disrupt development of the neuroepithelium, and identify points of intersection between metabolic pathways that are crucial for NTD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Keuls
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ronald J Parchem
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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19
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Caiaffa CD, Ambekar YS, Singh M, Lin YL, Wlodarczyk B, Aglyamov SR, Scarcelli G, Larin KV, Finnell R. Disruption of Fuz in mouse embryos generates hypoplastic hindbrain development and reduced cranial nerve ganglia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.04.552068. [PMID: 37577618 PMCID: PMC10418252 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.04.552068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The formation of the brain and spinal cord is initiated in the earliest stages of mammalian pregnancy in a highly organized process known as neurulation. Convergent and extension movements transforms a flat sheet of ectodermal cells into a narrow and elongated line of neuroepithelia, while a major source of Sonic Hedgehog signaling from the notochord induces the overlying neuroepithelial cells to form two apposed neural folds. Afterward, neural tube closure occurs by synchronized coordination of the surface ectoderm and adjacent neuroepithelial walls at specific axial regions known as neuropores. Environmental or genetic interferences can impair neurulation resulting in neural tube defects. The Fuz gene encodes a subunit of the CPLANE complex, which is a macromolecular planar polarity effector required for ciliogenesis. Ablation of Fuz in mouse embryos results in exencephaly and spina bifida, including dysmorphic craniofacial structures due to defective cilia formation and impaired Sonic Hedgehog signaling. In this work, we demonstrate that knocking Fuz out during embryonic mouse development results in a hypoplastic hindbrain phenotype, displaying abnormal rhombomeres with reduced length and width. This phenotype is associated with persistent loss of ventral neuroepithelial stiffness, in a notochord adjacent area at the level of the rhombomere 5, preceding the development of exencephaly in Fuz ablated mutants. The formation of cranial and paravertebral ganglia is also impaired in these embryos, indicating that Fuz has a critical function sustaining normal neural tube development and neuronal differentiation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a common cause of disability in children, representing the second most common congenital structural malformation in humans following only congenital cardiovascular malformations. NTDs affect approximately 1 to 2 pregnancies per 1000 births every year worldwide, when the mechanical forces folding the neural plate fails to close at specific neuropores located anteriorly (cranial) or posteriorly (caudal) along the neural tube, in a process known as neurulation, which happens throughout the third and fourth weeks of human pregnancy.
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20
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Fernández-Santos B, Reyes-Corral M, Caro-Vega JM, Lao-Pérez M, Vallejo-Grijalba C, Mesa-Cruz C, Morón FJ, Ybot-González P. The loop-tail mouse model displays open and closed caudal neural tube defects. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050175. [PMID: 37589570 PMCID: PMC10481946 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common cause of congenital malformations and are often studied in animal models. Loop-tail (Lp) mice carry a mutation in the Vangl2 gene, a member of the Wnt-planar cell polarity pathway. In Vangl2+/Lp embryos, the mutation induces a failure in the completion of caudal neural tube closure, but only a small percentage of embryos develop open spina bifida. Here, we show that the majority of Vangl2+/Lp embryos developed caudal closed NTDs and presented cellular aggregates that may facilitate the sealing of these defects. The cellular aggregates expressed neural crest cell markers and, using these as a readout, we describe a systematic method to assess the severity of the neural tube dorsal fusion failure. We observed that this defect worsened in combination with other NTD mutants, Daam1 and Grhl3. Besides, we found that in Vangl2+/Lp embryos, these NTDs were resistant to maternal folic acid and inositol supplementation. Loop-tail mice provide a useful model for research on the molecular interactions involved in the development of open and closed NTDs and for the design of prevention strategies for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Fernández-Santos
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Marta Reyes-Corral
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - José Manuel Caro-Vega
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel Lao-Pérez
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Claudia Vallejo-Grijalba
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Cristina Mesa-Cruz
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Morón
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Patricia Ybot-González
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
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21
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Kancherla V. Neural tube defects: a review of global prevalence, causes, and primary prevention. Childs Nerv Syst 2023; 39:1703-1710. [PMID: 36882610 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-023-05910-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common birth defects and contribute to life-long disabilities, high medical care costs, and perinatal and child mortality. This review is a primer on prevalence, causes, and evidence-based prevention strategies for NTDs. The estimated average global prevalence of NTDs is two cases per 1000 births, amounting to approximately 214,000-322,000 affected pregnancies worldwide annually. Prevalence and associated adverse outcomes are disproportionately high in developing countries. NTDs have multiple risk factors including genetic and non-genetic (i.e., maternal nutritional status, pre-pregnancy diabetes, early pregnancy exposure to valproic acid (anti-epileptic medication), and a previous pregnancy affected by a NTD) factors. Maternal folate insufficiency before and during early pregnancy is the most common risk factor and is preventable. Folic acid (vitamin B9) is required for formation of the neural tube early in pregnancy, around 28 days after conception, when most women are unaware of their pregnancies. Current guidelines recommend that all women planning or capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 400-800 μg of folic acid. Mandatory folic acid fortification of staple foods (e.g., wheat flour, maize flour, rice) is safe, economical, and the effective intervention for primary prevention of NTDs. Currently, about 60 countries are implementing mandatory folic acid fortification of staple foods, preventing just a quarter of all preventable NTD cases worldwide. There is an urgent need for active champions, including neurosurgeons and other healthcare providers, to generate political will and promote effective mandatory food fortification with folic acid, and reach equitable primary prevention of NTDs in all countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Kancherla
- Center for Spina Bifida Prevention, Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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22
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Dewelle WK, Melka DS, Aklilu AT, Gebremariam MY, Alemayehu MA, Alemayehu DH, Woldemichael TS, Gebre SG. Polymorphisms in Maternal Selected Folate Metabolism-Related Genes in Neural Tube Defect-Affected Pregnancy. Adv Biomed Res 2023; 12:160. [PMID: 37564453 PMCID: PMC10410419 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_103_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) are abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord, which occur as a result of failure in neural tube closure during embryogenesis. Causes of NTDs are complex and multiple, with hereditary, lifestyle, and environmental factors appearing to play a role. In spite of their impact on public health, the role genetics play on NTDs in Ethiopia is lacking. In this study, the role of polymorphisms in MTHFR 677C > T (rs1801133), MTHFR 1298A > C (rs1801131), MTRR 66A > G (rs1801394), RFC1 80A > G (rs1051266), and TCN2 776C > G (rs1801198) on the risk of having NTD-affected pregnancy was investigated. Materials and Methods One hundred women with NTD-affected pregnancy and 100 women with normal pregnancy were included in the study. DNA was extracted from saliva and genotyping for five polymorphisms in four genes was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The departure of the genotype's distribution from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was evaluated using the x2 goodness-of-fit test. Frequencies of genotypes and alleles in case and control mothers were determined and differences between relative frequencies were evaluated by the x2 or the Fisher's exact test. Results The statistically significant difference was absent in the genotype and allele frequencies for all the analyzed polymorphisms between cases and controls (P > 0.05). Conclusion MTHFR 677C > T, MTHFR 1298A > C, MTRR 66A > G, RFC1 80A > G, and TCN2 776C > G polymorphisms lack association with the risk of having a pregnancy affected by NTD. The role of other genes or environmental factors in NTD etiology needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winner K. Dewelle
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, East Africa
| | - Daniel S. Melka
- Biochemistry Division of Basic Sciences, University of Global Health Equity, Kigali, Rwanda, East Africa
| | - Abenezer T. Aklilu
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, East Africa
| | - Mahlet Y. Gebremariam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, East Africa
| | - Markos A. Alemayehu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, East Africa
| | - Dawit H. Alemayehu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, East Africa
| | - Tamrayehu S. Woldemichael
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, East Africa
| | - Solomon G. Gebre
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, East Africa
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Gelineau-van Waes J, van Waes MA, Hallgren J, Hulen J, Bredehoeft M, Ashley-Koch AE, Krupp D, Gregory SG, Stessman HA. Gene-nutrient interactions that impact magnesium homeostasis increase risk for neural tube defects in mice exposed to dolutegravir. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1175917. [PMID: 37377737 PMCID: PMC10292217 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1175917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2018, data from a surveillance study in Botswana evaluating adverse birth outcomes raised concerns that women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) containing dolutegravir (DTG) may be at increased risk for neural tube defects (NTDs). The mechanism of action for DTG involves chelation of Mg2+ ions in the active site of the viral integrase. Plasma Mg2+ homeostasis is maintained primarily through dietary intake and reabsorption in the kidneys. Inadequate dietary Mg2+ intake over several months results in slow depletion of plasma Mg2+ and chronic latent hypomagnesemia, a condition prevalent in women of reproductive age worldwide. Mg2+ is critical for normal embryonic development and neural tube closure. We hypothesized that DTG therapy might slowly deplete plasma Mg2+ and reduce the amount available to the embryo, and that mice with pre-existing hypomagnesemia due to genetic variation and/or dietary Mg2+ insufficiency at the time of conception and initiation of DTG treatment would be at increased risk for NTDs. We used two different approaches to test our hypothesis: 1) we selected mouse strains that had inherently different basal plasma Mg2+ levels and 2) placed mice on diets with different concentrations of Mg2+. Plasma and urine Mg2+ were determined prior to timed mating. Pregnant mice were treated daily with vehicle or DTG beginning on the day of conception and embryos examined for NTDs on gestational day 9.5. Plasma DTG was measured for pharmacokinetic analysis. Our results demonstrate that hypomagnesemia prior to conception, due to genetic variation and/or insufficient dietary Mg2+ intake, increases the risk for NTDs in mice exposed to DTG. We also analyzed whole-exome sequencing data from inbred mouse strains and identified 9 predicted deleterious missense variants in Fam111a that were unique to the LM/Bc strain. Human FAM111A variants are associated with hypomagnesemia and renal Mg2+ wasting. The LM/Bc strain exhibits this same phenotype and was the strain most susceptible to DTG-NTDs. Our results suggest that monitoring plasma Mg2+ levels in patients on ART regimens that include DTG, identifying other risk factors that impact Mg2+ homeostasis, and correcting deficiencies in this micronutrient might provide an effective strategy for mitigating NTD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Gelineau-van Waes
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | | | - J. Hallgren
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - J. Hulen
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - M. Bredehoeft
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - A. E. Ashley-Koch
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - D. Krupp
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - S. G. Gregory
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - H. A. Stessman
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
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Dell'Apa D, Fumeo M, Volta A, Bernardini M, Fidanzio F, Buffagni V, Christen M, Jagannathan V, Leeb T, Bianchi E. Case report: Sacral agenesis in two boxer dogs: clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, and outcome. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1201484. [PMID: 37303726 PMCID: PMC10248164 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1201484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Two boxer dogs from the same litter were presented at 3 months of age for urinary and fecal incontinence. Both dogs had an abnormal tail consisting of a small stump, an atonic anal sphincter, and absent perineal reflex and sensation. Neurological evaluation was indicative of a lesion of the cauda equina or sacral spinal cord. Radiology and CT scan of the spine displayed similar findings in the two dogs that were indicative of sacral agenesis. Indeed, they had 6 lumbar vertebrae followed by a lumbosacral transitional vertebra, lacking a complete spinous process, and a hypoplastic vertebra carrying 2 hypoplastic sacral transverse processes as the only remnant of the sacral bone. Caudal vertebrae were absent in one of the dogs. On MRI, one dog had a dural sac occupying the entire spinal canal and ending in a subfascial fat structure. In the other dog, the dural sac finished in an extracanalar, subfascial, well-defined cystic structure, communicating with the subarachnoid space, and consistent with a meningocele. Sacral agenesis-that is the partial or complete absence of the sacral bones-is a neural tube defect occasionally reported in humans with spina bifida occulta. Sacral agenesis has been described in human and veterinary medicine in association with conditions such as caudal regression syndrome, perosomus elumbis, and Currarino syndrome. These neural tube defects are caused by genetic and/or environmental factors. Despite thorough genetic investigation, no candidate variants in genes with known functional impact on bone development or sacral development could be found in the affected dogs. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report describing similar sacral agenesis in two related boxer dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Dell'Apa
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Martina Fumeo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Antonella Volta
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Bernardini
- Neurodiagnostic Unit, Anicura Portoni Rossi Veterinary Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Clinical Section, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | | | | | - Matthias Christen
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ezio Bianchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Pastora Bucardo DM, González F, Montes Pastora M, Pimienta Ramirez PA, Bonilla IL, Vielot NA, Finnell RH. Neural tube defects: Prevalence, mortality, and maternal characteristics in two departmental hospitals in the northwestern region of Nicaragua, 2006-2018. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:945-953. [PMID: 37025002 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2174] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital anomalies are the fifth most common cause of neonatal mortality in Nicaragua, and neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common of all cases of lethality associated with a birth defect. Prevalence and mortality estimates are needed to propose effective intervention strategies that prevent NTDs over time. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in northwestern Nicaragua from January 2006 to December 2018. All cases of NTDs (anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele) were registered in hospital surveillance systems, and the medical histories of the mothers and newborns were reviewed. Prevalence was calculated by considering the number of live births and stillbirths older than 20 weeks of gestation with NTDs, divided by the total number of live births and stillbirths in each study year. Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) for NTD, and case fatality for spina bifida was calculated. RESULTS Two hundred fifty cases of NTDs were identified from 178,498 deliveries (177,316 live births and 1,182 stillbirths). The prevalence of NTDs during this time period was 14.01 (95% CI: 12.27-15.74) per 10,000 births. The prevalence of spina bifida (n = 140), anencephaly (n = 97), and encephalocele (n = 13) was 7.84, (95% CI: 6.54-9.14), 5.43 (95% CI: 4.30-6.45), and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.33-1.12) per 10,000 births, respectively. Mothers with fetus or newborns affected with NTDs did not use folic acid prior to conception, and 11% experienced periods of hyperthermia during the first trimester of pregnancy. NMR for NTDs was 0.55 per 1.000 livebirths. Case fatality for all NTDs and for spina bifida were 55% and 18%, respectively. CONCLUSION The prevalence and mortality of NTDs in the northwestern region of Nicaragua present peaks and troughs during the study period. Spina bifida was the most frequent type of NTD. We believe that these findings could be of use by health policy makers to strengthen the primary prevention of NTDs in the region through the monitoring of the food fortification policy and folic acid supplementation to women of childbearing age. Additional etiologic studies of NTDs should be considered to identify additional prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fredman González
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua-León, León, Nicaragua
| | - María Montes Pastora
- Department of Public Health, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León, Nicaragua
| | - Paula Andrea Pimienta Ramirez
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Indiana López Bonilla
- Department of Public Health, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León, Nicaragua
| | - Nadja A Vielot
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Huang W, Fu J, Yuan Z, Gu H. Impact of prenatal exposure to metallic elements on neural tube defects: Insights from human investigations. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 255:114815. [PMID: 36948008 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Metallic elements play a pivotal role in maternal and fetal health. Metals can cross the placental barrier and be absorbed by fetuses, where they may affect closure of the neural tube during embryonic development. Neural tube defects (NTDs), which result from aberrant closure of the neural tube three to four weeks post-conception, have a multifactorial and complex etiology that combines genetic variants and environmental exposure. Recent advances in population-level association studies have investigated the link between maternal environmental exposure and NTDs, particularly the influence of metals on the incidence of NTDs. Herein, we present a broad and qualitative review of current literature on the association between maternal and prenatal metal exposure via the maternal peripheral blood, amniotic fluid, placenta, umbilical cord, and maternal hair, and the risk of developing NTDs. Specifically, we identify the various aggravating or attenuating effects of metallic exposure on the risk of NTD formation. This review provides novel insights into the association between environmental metals and NTDs and has important applications for NTD prevention and mitigating environmental exposure to metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jialin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Hui Gu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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White M, Arif-Pardy J, Connor KL. Identification of novel nutrient-sensitive gene regulatory networks in amniocytes from fetuses with spina bifida. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 116:108333. [PMID: 36584796 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) remain among the most common congenital anomalies. Contributing risk factors include genetics and nutrient deficiencies, however, a comprehensive assessment of nutrient-gene interactions in NTDs is lacking. We applied a nutrient-focused gene expression analysis pipeline to identify nutrient-sensitive gene regulatory networks in amniocyte gene expression data (GSE4182) from fetuses with NTDs (cases; n = 3) and fetuses with no congenital anomalies (controls; n = 5). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened for having nutrient cofactors. Nutrient-dependent transcriptional regulators (TRs) that regulated DEGs, and nutrient-sensitive miRNAs with a previous link to NTDs, were identified. Of the 880 DEGs in cases, 10% had at least one nutrient cofactor. DEG regulatory network analysis revealed that 39% and 52% of DEGs in cases were regulated by 22 nutrient-sensitive miRNAs and 10 nutrient-dependent TRs, respectively. Zinc- and B vitamin-dependent gene regulatory networks (Zinc: 10 TRs targeting 50.6% of DEGs; B vitamins: 4 TRs targeting 37.7% of DEGs, 9 miRNAs targeting 17.6% of DEGs) were dysregulated in cases. We identified novel, nutrient-sensitive gene regulatory networks not previously linked to NTDs, which may indicate new targets to explore for NTD prevention or to optimise fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina White
- Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada
| | - Jayden Arif-Pardy
- Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada
| | - Kristin L Connor
- Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada.
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Wang X, Yu J, Wang J. Neural Tube Defects and Folate Deficiency: Is DNA Repair Defective? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032220. [PMID: 36768542 PMCID: PMC9916799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are complex congenital malformations resulting from failure of neural tube closure during embryogenesis, which is affected by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. It is well known that folate deficiency increases the incidence of NTDs; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Folate deficiency not only causes DNA hypomethylation, but also blocks the synthesis of 2'-deoxythymidine-5'-monophosphate (dTMP) and increases uracil misincorporation, resulting in genomic instabilities such as base mismatch, DNA breakage, and even chromosome aberration. DNA repair pathways are essential for ensuring normal DNA synthesis, genomic stability and integrity during embryonic neural development. Genomic instability or lack of DNA repair has been implicated in risk of development of NTDs. Here, we reviewed the relationship between folate deficiency, DNA repair pathways and NTDs so as to reveal the role and significance of DNA repair system in the pathogenesis of NTDs and better understand the pathogenesis of NTDs.
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Lipinski RJ, Krauss RS. Gene-environment interactions in birth defect etiology: Challenges and opportunities. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 152:1-30. [PMID: 36707208 PMCID: PMC9942595 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Birth defects are relatively common congenital outcomes that significantly impact affected individuals, their families, and communities. Effective development and deployment of prevention and therapeutic strategies for these conditions requires sufficient understanding of etiology, including underlying genetic and environmental causes. Tremendous progress has been made in defining the genetic basis of familial and syndromic forms of birth defects. However, the majority of birth defect cases are considered nonsyndromic and thought to result from multifactorial gene-environment interactions. While substantial advances have been made in elucidating the genetic landscape of these etiologically complex conditions, significant biological and technical constraints have stymied progress toward a refined knowledge of environmental risk factors. Defining specific gene-environment interactions in birth defect etiology is even more challenging. However, progress has been made, including demonstration of critical proofs of concept and development of new conceptual and technical approaches for resolving complex gene-environment interactions. In this review, we discuss current views of multifactorial birth defect etiology, comparing them with other diseases that also involve gene-environment interactions, including primary immunodeficiency and cancer. We describe how various model systems have illuminated mechanisms of multifactorial etiology and these models' individual strengths and weaknesses. Finally, suggestions for areas of future emphasis are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Lipinski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States,Corresponding authors: ;
| | - Robert S. Krauss
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,Corresponding authors: ;
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review updates regarding teratogens and give pediatric healthcare providers insight into the prevention of teratogenic exposures. RECENT FINDINGS Application of the principles of teratology can help to assess the potential for exposures to be teratogenic. Identification of Zika virus as a teratogen, the most recent teratogenic agent identified, allowed public health measures to be put in place to mitigate its spread. Risk management strategies for teratogenic medications have resulted in a decrease but often not elimination of prenatal exposures. The failure to include pregnant persons in clinical trials results in their being less likely to receive needed medications and vaccines in a timely manner. SUMMARY Pediatricians play an important role in the prevention of teratogenic exposures. Ensuring optimal management of patients with chronic illnesses that might increase their risk of birth defects during pregnancy due to the illness itself or its treatment is essential. For patients with pregnancy potential who are on teratogenic medications, ensuring effective contraception is also important. Inclusion of pregnant persons in clinical trials and research studies will be critical to advancing our knowledge of the safety of medications and other exposures during pregnancy.
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Caiaffa CD, Fonteles CSR, Yunping L, Finnell RH. Gene-environment interactions underlying the etiology of neural tube defects. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:193-220. [PMID: 36707212 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.007] [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: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) consist of severe structural malformations of the brain and spinal cord and are the second most common structural birth defect in humans, accounting for approximately 2700 affected pregnancies every year in the United States. These numbers are highly significant, considering that birth defects remain a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States, affecting approximately 120,000 babies born annually. Survivors of these congenital malformations face long-term disability and lifelong challenges imposed by severe physical burdens compromising the afflicted individual's overall quality of life. Clearly, birth defects, and especially NTDs remain a global public health challenge, and the source of significant financial repercussions for healthcare systems worldwide. In order to better understand the role gene-environment interactions play in the etiology of NTDs, this chapter provides an overview of NTD phenotypes and their embryonic origins, discusses the genetic landscape of NTDs as it is currently understood, with a focus on experimental models that best illustrate how environmental factors modulate individual susceptibility to these birth defects. As folic acid interventions have proven to be effective in reducing the prevalence of NTDs, the chapter ends with a discussion on the impact that maternal dietary status has on NTD prevalence from a population perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Donato Caiaffa
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cristiane Sá Roriz Fonteles
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Lei Yunping
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics, and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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Yang J, Xu J, Zhang L, Li Y, Chen M. Identifying key m 6A-methylated lncRNAs and genes associated with neural tube defects via integrative MeRIP and RNA sequencing analyses. Front Genet 2022; 13:974357. [PMID: 36482889 PMCID: PMC9722945 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.974357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a common post-transcriptional modification of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, m6A-modified lncRNAs are still largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate differentially m6A-modified lncRNAs and genes involved in neural tube defect (NTD) development. Methods: Pregnant Kunming mice (9-10 weeks of age) were treated with retinoic acid to construct NTD models. m6A levels and methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) expression were evaluated in brain tissues of the NTD models. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were performed on the NovaSeq platform and Illumina HiSeq 2,500 platform, respectively. Differentially m6A-methylated differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, followed by GO biological process and KEGG pathway functional enrichment analyses. Expression levels of several DElncRNAs and DEGs were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for validation. Results: m6A levels and METTL3 expression levels were significantly lower in the brain tissues of the NTD mouse model than in controls. By integrating MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq data, 13 differentially m6A-methylated DElncRNAs and 170 differentially m6A-methylated DEGs were identified. They were significantly enriched in the Hippo signaling pathway and mannose-type O-glycan biosynthesis. The qRT-PCR results confirmed the decreased expression levels of lncRNAs, such as Mir100hg, Gm19265, Gm10544, and Malat1, and genes, such as Zfp236, Erc2, and Hmg20a, in the NTD group. Conclusion: METTL3-mediated m6A modifications may be involved in NTD development. In particular, decreased expression levels of Mir100hg, Gm19265, Gm10544, Malat1, Zfp236, Erc2, and Hmg20a may contribute to the development of NTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Luting Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingting Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Li C, Gao B, Lin H, Li Y, Xiu B, Dai Y. Efficacy of microsurgery for congenital neural tube defects in newborns. Am J Transl Res 2022; 14:5574-5582. [PMID: 36105063 PMCID: PMC9452357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of microsurgery in the treatment of congenital neural tube defect (CNTD) in newborns. METHODS Eighty-five CNTD newborns withlipomyelomeningocele admitted to our hospital from March 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively selected as study subjects. They were divided into a study group (SG, 43 cases, that received meningocele repair combined with tethered cord release within 6 h to 30 d after birth) and the control group (CG, 42 cases, that received meningocele repair combined with tethered cord release past 30 d after birth) according to the treatment regimen. Newborns in both groups were evaluated for short-term and long-term outcome of the surgery and the degree of postoperative untethering, and both groups were followed up dynamically to record changes in gross motor function and quality of life and assess risk factors. RESULTS In terms of short-term outcomes, the total effective rate was 93.02% in SG and 85.71% in CG (P > 0.05); in terms of the long-term outcomes, the total effective rate was 88.37% in SG and 69.05% in CG (P < 0.05). The postoperative release of the newborns was evaluated according to the Kirollos grading system, which showed that SG had 40 (93.02%) cases of grade 1 untethering, 3 (6.98%) cases of grade 2 untethering, and 0 case of grade 3 untethering, and CG had 30 (71.43%) cases of grade 1 untethering, and 12 (28.57%) cases of grade 2 untethering. At 6 months postoperatively, there were no significant differences in gross motor function and quality of life scores between the two groups (P > 0.05), but at 1 year, 3 years and 4 years postoperatively, the gross motor function and quality of life scores of newborns in the SG were significantly higher than those in the CG (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age > 1 month was an independent risk factor for surgical outcome (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Microsurgery has better short-term and long-term outcomes for newborns with CNTD, and the newborns showed an improvement in the long-term postoperative motor function and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing 100853, China
| | - Bingbing Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing 100853, China
| | - Hepu Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yunjun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing 100853, China
| | - Bo Xiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yiwu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing 100853, China
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Kowalski TW, Lord VO, Sgarioni E, Gomes JDA, Mariath LM, Recamonde-Mendoza M, Vianna FSL. Transcriptome meta-analysis of valproic acid exposure in human embryonic stem cells. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 60:76-88. [PMID: 35635998 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.04.008] [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: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug not recommended in pregnancy because it is teratogenic. Many assays have assessed the impact of the VPA exposure on the transcriptome of human embryonic stem-cells (hESC), but the molecular perturbations that VPA exerts in neurodevelopment are not completely understood. This study aimed to perform a transcriptome meta-analysis of VPA-exposed hESC to elucidate the main biological mechanisms altered by VPA effects on the gene expression. Publicly available microarray and RNA-seq transcriptomes were selected in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository. Samples were processed according to the standard pipelines for each technology in the Galaxy server and R. Meta-analysis was performed using the Fisher-P method. Overrepresented genes were obtained by evaluating ontologies, pathways, and phenotypes' databases. The meta-analysis performed in seven datasets resulted in 61 perturbed genes, 54 upregulated. Ontology and pathway enrichments suggested neurodevelopment and neuroinflammatory effects; phenotype overrepresentation included epilepsy-related genes, such as SCN1A and GABRB2. The NDNF gene upregulation was also identified; this gene is involved in neuron migration and survival during development. Sub-network analysis proposed TGFβ and BMP pathways activation. These results suggest VPA exerts effects in epilepsy-related genes even in embryonic cells. Neurodevelopmental genes, such as NDNF were upregulated and VPA might also disturb several development pathways. These mechanisms might help to explain the spectrum of VPA-induced congenital anomalies and the molecular effects on neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thayne Woycinck Kowalski
- Post-Graduation Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Center of Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Medical Population Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Bioinformatics Core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Centro Universitário CESUCA, Cachoeirinha, Brazil.
| | - Vinícius Oliveira Lord
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Center of Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Centro Universitário CESUCA, Cachoeirinha, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Sgarioni
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Center of Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Julia do Amaral Gomes
- Post-Graduation Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Center of Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Medical Population Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luiza Monteavaro Mariath
- Post-Graduation Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mariana Recamonde-Mendoza
- Bioinformatics Core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Institute of Informatics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna
- Post-Graduation Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Center of Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Medical Population Genetics (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Transcription factors dysregulated in three complex birth defects datasets. REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/rd9.0000000000000018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Wilson RD, O'Connor DL. Guideline No. 427: Folic Acid and Multivitamin Supplementation for Prevention of Folic Acid-Sensitive Congenital Anomalies. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2022; 44:707-719.e1. [PMID: 35691683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide updated guidance on pre-conception folic acid and multivitamin supplementation for primary and secondary (recurrence) prevention of neural tube defects and other folate-sensitive congenital anomalies. TARGET POPULATION Women aged 12-45 years who could become pregnant should be aware of the risk of serious birth defects without adequate pre-conception and first-trimester folic acid supplementation. OPTIONS Optimizing folic acid supplementation is complex and depends on factors including dosage; type of supplement; bioavailability of folate from food, timing of initiating supplementation; and metabolic and genetic factors. For all women who could become pregnant, a low daily dosage of folic acid is recommended before conception and throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. High-dosage folic acid supplementation is recommended only for women who can become pregnant and have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect or other folate-sensitive congenital anomaly. Directed personalized approaches could be considered and adopted for women who can become pregnant and have complex risks (genetic, medical, or surgical risk factors), using new knowledge of co-factor metabolism and synergy, as well as red blood cell or serum folate testing. Such approaches would require changes to current provincial health care maternal serum folate screening/testing. OUTCOMES New approaches to oral folic acid supplementation, including triage tools, need to be considered to optimize the benefits of decreasing risk of neural tube defects and folate-sensitive congenital anomalies. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS Oral folic acid supplementation, or dietary folate intake combined with a multivitamin/micronutrient supplement, is associated with lower rates of neural tube defects, other folate-sensitive birth defects, and obstetrical complications. The costs are those attributable to daily vitamin supplementation and a healthy, folate-rich diet. EVIDENCE A literature search was designed and carried in PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases from 1990 to 2021 using following MeSH terms and keywords (and variants): folic acid supplementation; folate food fortification; primary neural tube defect prevention; prevention of recurrence of neural tube defects; folate-sensitive birth defects; folate supplementation benefit; folate supplementation risk; folate pregnant woman physiology; pregnant woman RBC folate level; pregnant woman serum folate levels; folate and epilepsy; folate and obesity. This guideline was based upon expert guidelines or opinions, systematic reviews, randomized controlled clinical trials, and observational case-control studies and case series retrieved, published in English from 1990 to 2021. VALIDATION METHODS The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and weak recommendations). INTENDED AUDIENCE Maternity health care providers (physicians, midwives, nurses) and other providers of pregnancy-related wellness and health counselling. SUMMARY STATEMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS.
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Wilson RD, O'Connor DL. Directive clinique n o427 : Suppléments d'acide folique et multivitamines en prévention des anomalies congénitales sensibles à l'acide folique. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2022; 44:720-732.e1. [PMID: 35691684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2022.04.003] [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: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIF Offrir des recommandations à jour sur l'utilisation de multivitamines et de suppléments d'acide folique avant la conception pour la prévention primaire et secondaire (récidive) des anomalies du tube neural et des autres anomalies congénitales sensibles à l'acide folique. POPULATION CIBLE Les femmes de 12 à 45 ans qui pourraient devenir enceintes doivent être informées des risques importants d'anomalies congénitales en l'absence d'une supplémentation adéquate en acide folique avant la conception et pendant le premier trimestre. OPTIONS La supplémentation optimale en acide folique est complexe et repose sur divers facteurs tels que la dose, le type de suppléments, la biodisponibilité du folate dans l'alimentation, le moment du début de la supplémentation ainsi que sur les facteurs métaboliques et génétiques. Pour toutes les femmes qui peuvent devenir enceintes, une faible dose quotidienne d'acide folique est recommandée avant la conception et pendant la grossesse et l'allaitement. La supplémentation à forte dose d'acide folique est recommandée uniquement chez les femmes qui peuvent devenir enceintes et qui ont un antécédent de grossesse avec anomalie du tube neural ou toute autre anomalie congénitale sensible à l'acide folique. Il est possible d'envisager et d'adopter une approche personnalisée chez les femmes qui peuvent devenir enceintes et qui présentent des risques complexes (facteurs de risque génétiques, médicaux ou chirurgicaux) en se fondant sur les nouvelles connaissances en matière de métabolisme et synergie des cofacteurs et sur l'analyse du taux sérique et érythrocytaire d'acide folique. Ce genre d'approche exige une modification des protocoles provinciaux actuels de santé publique concernant le dépistage et l'analyse du taux sérique maternel d'acide folique. RéSULTATS: Les nouvelles stratégies de supplémentation en acide folique par voie orale, y compris dans les outils de triage, doivent être prises en compte pour diminuer de façon optimale le risque d'anomalies du tube neural et d'anomalies congénitales sensibles à l'acide folique. BéNéFICES, RISQUES ET COûTS: On observe une diminution du taux d'anomalies du tube neural, des autres anomalies congénitales sensibles à l'acide folique et des complications obstétricales chez les femmes qui prennent des suppléments oraux d'acide folique ou qui complémentent leur apport alimentaire en folate au moyen de multivitamines ou de suppléments de micronutriments. Les coûts relatifs sont liés à la prise quotidienne de suppléments vitaminiques et à l'adoption d'un régime alimentaire sain et riche en folate. DONNéES PROBANTES: Une recherche a été effectuée dans les bases de données PubMed et Cochrane Library pour trouver des articles publiés entre 1990 et 2021, en utilisant les termes MeSH et mots-clés (et leurs variantes) suivants : folate food fortification; primary neural tube defect prevention; prevention of recurrence of neural tube defects; folate-sensitive birth defects; folate supplementation benefit; folate supplementation risk; folate pregnant woman physiology; pregnant woman RBC folate level; pregnant woman serum folate levels; folate and epilepsy; folate and obesity. Cette directive clinique repose sur des lignes directrices et opinions de spécialistes, des revues systématiques, des essais cliniques randomisés et des études observationnelles de cas-témoin et de séries de cas qui ont été publiés en anglais entre 1990 et 2021. MéTHODES DE VALIDATION: Les auteurs ont évalué la qualité des données probantes et la force des recommandations en utilisant le cadre méthodologique GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Voir l'annexe A en ligne (tableau A1 pour les définitions et tableau A2 pour l'interprétation des recommandations fortes et faibles). PROFESSIONNELS CONCERNéS: Fournisseurs de soins de maternité (médecins, sages-femmes et infirmières) et autres fournisseurs d'accompagnement en santé et bien-être lié à la grossesse. DÉCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES: RECOMMANDATIONS.
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Pediatric Brain Maturation and Migration Disorders. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051123. [PMID: 35626279 PMCID: PMC9139849 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders, including neuronal migration disorders, are best understood in the context of altered normal development. Neurons normally migrate from their site of origin to their (usually cortical) destination using a wide range of molecular and cellular signaling as a guide. In the case of abnormal migration neurons: (1) do not migrate and remain at their site of origin; (2) incompletely migrate and remain within the white matter; (3) migrate to the cortex but fail to organize correctly; or (4) over-migrate, beyond the cortex. In this review, we discuss normal brain development, along with the malformations that result from these different migration abnormalities.
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Isaković J, Šimunić I, Jagečić D, Hribljan V, Mitrečić D. Overview of Neural Tube Defects: Gene–Environment Interactions, Preventative Approaches and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050965. [PMID: 35625701 PMCID: PMC9138472 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformations of humans, characterized by impaired development of the central nervous system. Even though the etiology of most birth defects remains undetermined, genetic and environmental risk factors in the background of NTDs have been identified and extensively reported. On top of genetic and nutritional risks which include mutations in both coding and non-coding regions and maternal folate status, respectively, recent years have seen a rise in the identification of a variety of teratogens that could be implicated in NTD development. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, pesticides, maternal hyperthermia and antibiotics as well as pain and seizure medication. With an increase in understanding of teratogens leading to NTD formation, preventative and treatment approaches have witnessed great advances throughout the years. While the most common preventative approach includes folic acid food fortification as well as suggested inositol supplementation, treatment and management approaches differ greatly depending on the developmental stage and the site of the lesion and include prenatal surgery, stem cell transplantation and postnatal surgery. Because NTDs still represent a large health and financial burden for the patient and society as a whole, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors and develop novel approaches in order to fully prevent this category of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Isaković
- Omnion Research International Ltd., Heinzelova 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Iva Šimunić
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Denis Jagečić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Valentina Hribljan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Dinko Mitrečić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Yin S, Tian T, Wang C, Wang D, Pi X, Liu M, Jin L, Liu J, Wang L, Li Z, Ren A, Yin C. Prenatal uranium exposure and risk for fetal neural tube defects: A case-control study in women living in a rural area of northern China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127466. [PMID: 34653865 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The adverse effects of uranium exposure on human health are well-known; less is known, however, regarding its association with congenital malformations. We conducted a case-control study to examine the association between prenatal exposure to uranium and risk for fetal neural tube defects (NTDs) using the concentration of uranium in placental tissue as an exposure marker in 408 NTD cases and 593 healthy controls. Uranium concentration was quantified with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The odds ratios of NTDs for uranium exposure levels, categorized into quartiles, were estimated using logistic regression. The median concentration of uranium in the NTD group (0.409 ng/g) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.218 ng/g). The risk for NTDs increased 2.52-fold (95% CI, 1.85-3.45) for concentrations of uranium above the median value for all participants. After adjusting for confounders, the risk for NTDs increased 1.36-fold (95% CI, 1.25-6.17), 1.77-fold (95% CI, 1.09-2.85), and 3.60-fold (95% CI, 2.30-5.64) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of uranium concentrations compared to the lowest quartile, respectively. Prenatal exposure to uranium is a risk factor for NTDs in this population. Prospective studies are needed to further validate this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengju Yin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital); Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Chengrong Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Di Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Pi
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Social Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengyuan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jufen Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Fan L, Yin P, Xu Z. The genetic basis of sudden death in young people - Cardiac and non-cardiac. Gene 2022; 810:146067. [PMID: 34843881 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Sudden death is one of the major causes of death in young adults. Sudden death could be a result from both genetic and environmental or acquired factors. Understanding the genetic etiology is crucial to prevent preventable sudden death for those who are not aware of their genetic condition. In fact, the spectrum of causes of sudden death is complex and varied. In this study, we reviewed the genes that are associated with multiple causes of sudden death in terms of both sudden cardiac death and sudden noncardiac death. A summary of genetic risk factors of the major causes of genetic relevant sudden death is also provided. We believe this review could benefit the researchers who are interested in sudden death genetic studies or the young people who are concerning about their own risk on sudden death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Fan
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Ping Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Zuojun Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China.
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Lo HF, Hong M, Krauss RS. Concepts in Multifactorial Etiology of Developmental Disorders: Gene-Gene and Gene-Environment Interactions in Holoprosencephaly. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:795194. [PMID: 35004690 PMCID: PMC8727999 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.795194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many common developmental disorders are thought to arise from a complex set of genetic and environmental risk factors. These factors interact with each other to affect the strength and duration of key developmental signaling pathways, thereby increasing the possibility that they fail to achieve the thresholds required for normal embryonic patterning. One such disorder, holoprosencephaly (HPE), serves as a useful model system in understanding various forms of multifactorial etiology. Genomic analysis of HPE cases, epidemiology, and mechanistic studies of animal models have illuminated multiple potential ways that risk factors interact to produce adverse developmental outcomes. Among these are: 1) interactions between driver and modifier genes; 2) oligogenic inheritance, wherein each parent provides predisposing variants in one or multiple distinct loci; 3) interactions between genetic susceptibilities and environmental risk factors that may be insufficient on their own; and 4) interactions of multiple genetic variants with multiple non-genetic risk factors. These studies combine to provide concepts that illuminate HPE and are also applicable to additional disorders with complex etiology, including neural tube defects, congenital heart defects, and oro-facial clefting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Fan Lo
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mingi Hong
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert S Krauss
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Wilson R, O'Connor D. Maternal folic acid and multivitamin supplementation: International clinical evidence with considerations for the prevention of folate-sensitive birth defects. Prev Med Rep 2021; 24:101617. [PMID: 34976673 PMCID: PMC8684027 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
More evidence is available for maternal intake, absorption, distribution, tissue specific concentrations, and pregnancy outcomes with folic acid (fortification/supplementation) during preconception - first trimester. This Quality Improvement prevention review used expert guidelines/opinions, systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational case control/case series studies, published in English, from 1990 to August 2021. Optimization for an oral maternal folic acid supplementation is difficult because it relies on folic acid dose, type of folate supplement, bio-availability of the folate from foods, timing of supplementation initiation, maternal metabolism/genetic factors, and many other factors. There is continued use of high dose pre-food fortification 'RCT evidenced-based' folic acid supplementation for NTD recurrence pregnancy prevention. Innovation requires preconception and pregnancy use of 'carbon one nutrient' supplements (folic acid, vitamin B12, B6, choline), using the appropriate evidence, need to be considered. The consideration and adoption of directed personalized approaches for maternal complex risk could use serum folate testing for supplementation dosing choice. Routine daily folic acid dosing for low-risk women should consider a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid starting 3 months prior to conception until completion of breastfeeding. Routine folic acid dosing or preconception measurement of maternal serum folate (after 4-6 weeks of folate supplementation) could be considered for maternal complex risk group with genetic/medical/surgical co-morbidities. These new approaches for folic acid oral supplementation are required to optimize benefit (decreasing folate sensitive congenital anomalies; childhood morbidity) and minimizing potential maternal and childhood risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.D. Wilson
- Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, FMC NT 435, 1403 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - D.L. O'Connor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Head B, Traber MG. Expanding role of vitamin E in protection against metabolic dysregulation: Insights gained from model systems, especially the developing nervous system of zebrafish embryos. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 176:80-91. [PMID: 34555455 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.09.016] [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: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses why the embryo requires vitamin E (VitE) and shows that its lack causes metabolic dysregulation and impacts morphological changes at very early stages in development, which occur prior to when a woman knows she is pregnant. VitE halts the chain reactions of lipid peroxidation (LPO). Metabolomic analyses indicate that thiols become depleted in E- embryos because LPO generates products that require compensation using limited amino acids and methyl donors that are also developmentally relevant. Thus, VitE protects metabolic networks and the integrated gene expression networks that control development. VitE is critical especially for neurodevelopment, which is dependent on trafficking by the α-tocopherol transfer protein (TTPa). VitE-deficient (E-) zebrafish embryos initially appear normal, but by 12 and 24 h post-fertilization (hpf) E- embryos are developmentally abnormal with expression of pax2a and sox10 mis-localized in the midbrain-hindbrain boundary, neural crest cells and throughout the spinal neurons. These patterning defects indicate cells that are especially in need of VitE-protection. They precede obvious morphological abnormalities (cranial-facial malformation, pericardial edema, yolksac edema, skewed body-axis) and impaired behavioral responses to locomotor activity tests. The TTPA gene (ttpa) is expressed at the leading edges of the brain ventricle border. Ttpa knockdown using morpholinos is 100% lethal by 24 hpf, while E- embryo brains are often over- or under-inflated at 24 hpf. Further, E- embryos prior to 24 hpf have increased expression of genes involved in glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, and decreased expression of genes involved in anabolic pathways and transcription. Combined data from both gene expression and the metabolome in E- embryos at 24 hpf suggest that the activity of the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is decreased, which may impact both metabolism and neurodevelopment. Further evaluation of VitE deficiency in neurogenesis and its subsequent impact on learning and behavior is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Head
- Linus Pauling Institute, Corvallis, OR, USA; Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Maret G Traber
- Linus Pauling Institute, Corvallis, OR, USA; School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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Kakebeen AD, Niswander L. Micronutrient imbalance and common phenotypes in neural tube defects. Genesis 2021; 59:e23455. [PMID: 34665506 PMCID: PMC8599664 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common birth defects, with a prevalence of close to 19 per 10,000 births worldwide. The etiology of NTDs is complex involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Since nutrient deficiency is a risk factor and dietary changes are the major preventative measure to reduce the risk of NTDs, a more detailed understanding of how common micronutrient imbalances contribute to NTDs is crucial. While folic acid has been the most discussed environmental factor due to the success that population-wide fortification has had on prevention of NTDs, folic acid supplementation does not prevent all NTDs. The imbalance of several other micronutrients has been implicated as risks for NTDs by epidemiological studies and in vivo studies in animal models. In this review, we highlight recent literature deciphering the multifactorial mechanisms underlying NTDs with an emphasis on mouse and human data. Specifically, we focus on advances in our understanding of how too much or too little retinoic acid, zinc, and iron alter gene expression and cellular processes contributing to the pathobiology of NTDs. Synthesis of the discussed literature reveals common cellular phenotypes found in embryos with NTDs resulting from several micronutrient imbalances. The goal is to combine knowledge of these common cellular phenotypes with mechanisms underlying micronutrient imbalances to provide insights into possible new targets for preventative measures against NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Dixie Kakebeen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Palmer AJ, Savery D, Massa V, Copp AJ, Greene NDE. Genetic interaction of Pax3 mutation and canonical Wnt signaling modulates neural tube defects and neural crest abnormalities. Genesis 2021; 59:e23445. [PMID: 34490995 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models provide opportunities to investigate genetic interactions that cause or modify the frequency of neural tube defects (NTDs). Mutation of the PAX3 transcription factor prevents neural tube closure, leading to cranial and spinal NTDs whose frequency is responsive to folate status. Canonical Wnt signalling is implicated both in regulation of Pax3 expression and as a target of PAX3. This study investigated potential interactions of Pax3 mutation and canonical Wnt signalling using conditional gain- and loss-of-function models of β-catenin. We found an additive effect of β-catenin gain of function and Pax3 loss of function on NTDs and neural crest defects. β-catenin gain of function in the Pax3 expression domain led to significantly increased frequency of cranial but not spinal NTDs in embryos that are heterozygous for Pax3 mutation, while both cranial and spinal neural tube closure were exacerbated in Pax3 homozygotes. Similarly, deficits of migrating neural crest cells were exacerbated by β-catenin gain of function, with almost complete ablation of spinal neural crest cells and derivatives in Pax3 homozygous mutants. Pax3 expression was not affected by β-catenin gain of function, while we confirmed that loss of function led to reduced Pax3 transcription. In contrast to gain of function, β-catenin knockout in the Pax3 expression domain lowered the frequency of cranial NTDs in Pax3 null embryos. However, loss of function of β-catenin and Pax3 resulted in spinal NTDs, suggesting differential regulation of cranial and spinal neural tube closure. In summary, β-catenin function modulates the frequency of PAX3-related NTDs in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Palmer
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn Savery
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Massa
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Copp
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas D E Greene
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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