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Legüe M. Relevancia de los mecanismos epigenéticos en el neurodesarrollo normal y consecuencias de sus perturbaciones. REVISTA MÉDICA CLÍNICA LAS CONDES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rmclc.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Neurodevelopment regulators miR-137 and miR-34 family as biomarkers for early and adult onset schizophrenia. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2021; 7:35. [PMID: 34226568 PMCID: PMC8257739 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-021-00164-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) may have stronger familial aggregation and a more severe outcome than adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS). MicroRNA (miRNA) takes on dual roles as a genetic and epigenetic modulator, which may mediate the influence of genetic risk. Neurological soft signs (NSS) are neurological abnormalities that may be intermediate phenotypes or endophenotypes for schizophrenia. Our previous study found poorer performance on NSS tests from patients with EOS and their unaffected first-degree relatives. Thus, we aimed to identify a set of aberrant neurodevelopmental-related miRNAs that could serve as potential biomarkers for EOS or schizophrenia with NSS. This study included 215 schizophrenia patients (104 EOS and 111 AOS), 72 unaffected first-degree relatives, 31 patients with bipolar disorder, and 100 healthy controls. Differential expression analysis revealed that miR-137, miR-34b, and miR-34c were significantly up-regulated in patients with schizophrenia and their unaffected first-degree relatives compared to healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the miR-137 expression signature could be used to discriminate between patients with EOS and healthy controls (AUC = 0.911). Additionally, miR-34b had the highest ability to discriminate between EOS and AOS (AUC = 0.810), which may indicate different aetiological pathways to disease onset. Moreover, miR-137 dysregulation was correlated with almost all NSS subscales (i.e., sensory integration, motor sequencing, etc.) and, when EOS patients with NSS, miR-137 expression discriminated these patients from healthy controls to a greater extent (AUC = 0.957). These findings support the potential for neurodevelopmental-related miRNAs to be used as indicators of vulnerability to EOS.
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Han KH, Cho H, Han KR, Mun SK, Kim YK, Park I, Chang M. Role of microRNA‑375‑3p‑mediated regulation in tinnitus development. Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:136. [PMID: 34036397 PMCID: PMC8148091 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) following exposure to noise play an important role in the development of tinnitus. As the development of several diseases is known to be associated with microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), the aim of the present study was to identify the miRNAs that may be implicated in pathogenic changes in the DCN, resulting in tinnitus. A previously developed tinnitus animal model was used for this study. The study consisted of four stages, including identification of candidate miRNAs involved in tinnitus development using miRNA microarray analysis, validation of miRNA expression using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), evaluation of the effects of candidate miRNA overexpression on tinnitus development through injection of a candidate miRNA mimic or mimic negative control, and target prediction of candidate miRNAs using mRNA microarray analysis and western blotting. The miRNA microarray and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that miR-375-3p expression was significantly reduced in the tinnitus group compared with that in the non-tinnitus group. Additionally, miR-375-3p overexpression via injection of miR-375-3p mimic reduced the proportion of animals with persistent tinnitus. Based on mRNA microarray and western blot analyses, connective tissue growth factor (CTG.) was identified as a potential target for miR-375-3p. Thus, it was inferred that CTGF downregulation by miR-375-3p may weaken with the decrease in miRNA expression, and the increased pro-apoptotic activity of CTGF may result in more severe neuronal damage, contributing to tinnitus development. These findings are expected to contribute significantly to the development of a novel therapeutic approach to tinnitus, thereby bringing about a significant breakthrough in the treatment of this potentially debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyu-Hee Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeeun Cho
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeo-Rye Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Seog-Kyun Mun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kook Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Jeollanam-do 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilyong Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do 16890, Republic of Korea
| | - Munyoung Chang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
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Alwin Prem Anand A, Alvarez-Bolado G, Wizenmann A. MiR-9 and the Midbrain-Hindbrain Boundary: A Showcase for the Limited Functional Conservation and Regulatory Complexity of MicroRNAs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:586158. [PMID: 33330463 PMCID: PMC7719755 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.586158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional levels. Some of them appear to regulate brain development and are involved in neurodevelopmental disorders. This has led to the suggestion that the role of microRNAs in neuronal development and function may be more central than previously appreciated. Here, we review the data about miR-9 function to depict the subtlety, complexity, flexibility and limited functional conservation of this essential developmental regulatory system. On this basis we propose that species-specific actions of miR-9 could underlie to a large degree species differences in brain size, shape and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Alwin Prem Anand
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Andrea Wizenmann
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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MicroRNAs and Child Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Brief Review. Neurochem Res 2019; 45:232-240. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02917-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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6
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Tovo-Rodrigues L, Quinte GC, Brum CB, Ghisleni G, Bastos CR, Oliveira IOD, Barros FC, Barros AJD, Santos IS, Rohde LA, Hutz MH, Matijasevich A. The Role of MIR9-2 in Shared Susceptibility of Psychiatric Disorders during Childhood: A Population-Based Birth Cohort Study. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E626. [PMID: 31434288 PMCID: PMC6723948 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs; short non-protein-coding RNA molecules that mediate post-transcriptional regulation), including mir-9 and mir-34 families, are important for brain development. Current data suggest that mir-9 and mir-34 may have shared effects across psychiatric disorders. This study aims to explore the role of genetic polymorphisms in the MIR9-2 (rs4916723) and MIR34B/C (rs4938723) genes on the susceptibility of psychiatric disorders in children from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort. METHODS Psychiatric disorders were assessed in 3585 individuals using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), criteria through the application of standard semi-structured interviews (using the Development and Well-Being Assessment, DAWBA) at the six-years-of-age follow-up. The outcome was defined as the presence of any mental disorder. We also considered two broad groups of internalizing and externalizing disorders to further investigate the role of these variants in mental health. RESULTS We observed an association between rs4916723 (MIR9-2) and the presence of any psychiatric disorder (odds ratios (OR) = 0.820; 95% CI = 0.7130-0.944; p = 0.006) and a suggestive effect on internalizing disorders (OR = 0.830; 95% CI = 0.698-0.987; p = 0.035). rs4938723 (MIR34B/C) was not associated with any evaluated outcome. CONCLUSION The study suggests that MIR9-2 may have an important role on a broad susceptibility for psychiatric disorders and may be important mainly for internalization problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Tovo-Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program In Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas., Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela Callo Quinte
- Postgraduate Program In Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas., Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
| | - Clarice Brinck Brum
- Postgraduate Program In Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas., Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Ghisleni
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuroscience, Post-Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
| | - Clarissa Ribeiro Bastos
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuroscience, Post-Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
| | - Isabel Oliveira de Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program In Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas., Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
| | - Fernando C Barros
- Postgraduate Program In Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas., Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
| | - Aluisio J D Barros
- Postgraduate Program In Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas., Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
| | - Iná S Santos
- Postgraduate Program In Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas., Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul 96015-560, Brazil
- Post-graduate Program Pediatrics Child Health, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Luis A Rohde
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-007, Brazil
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents, São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Mara H Hutz
- Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Alicia Matijasevich
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brasil
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Chen YC, Chang YW, Huang YS. Dysregulated Translation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: An Overview of Autism-Risk Genes Involved in Translation. Dev Neurobiol 2018; 79:60-74. [PMID: 30430754 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Regulated local translation-whereby specific mRNAs are transported and localized in subcellular domains where they are translated in response to regional signals-allows for remote control of gene expression to concentrate proteins in subcellular compartments. Neurons are highly polarized cells with unique features favoring local control for axonal pathfinding and synaptic plasticity, which are key processes involved in constructing functional circuits in the developing brain. Neurodevelopmental disorders are caused by genetic or environmental factors that disturb the nervous system's development during prenatal and early childhood periods. The growing list of genetic mutations that affect mRNA translation raises the question of whether aberrant translatomes in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders share common molecular features underlying their stereotypical phenotypes and, vice versa, cause a certain degree of phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we briefly give an overview of the role of local translation during neuronal development. We take the autism-risk gene list and discuss the molecules that (perhaps) are involved in mRNA transport and translation. Both exaggerated and suppressed translation caused by mutations in those genes have been identified or suggested. Finally, we discuss some proof-of-principle regimens for use in autism mouse models to correct dysregulated translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Chu Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shuian Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
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Gillet V, Hunting DJ, Takser L. Turing Revisited: Decoding the microRNA Messages in Brain Extracellular Vesicles for Early Detection of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Curr Environ Health Rep 2018; 3:188-201. [PMID: 27301443 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-016-0093-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The prevention of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) of prenatal origin suffers from the lack of objective tools for early detection of susceptible individuals and the long time lag, usually in years, between the neurotoxic exposure and the diagnosis of mental dysfunction. Human data on the effects of alcohol, lead, and mercury and experimental data from animals on developmental neurotoxins and their long-term behavioral effects have achieved a critical mass, leading to the concept of the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD). However, there is currently no way to evaluate the degree of brain damage early after birth. We propose that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and particularly exosomes, released by brain cells into the fetal blood, may offer us a non-invasive means of assessing brain damage by neurotoxins. We are inspired by the strategy applied by Alan Turing (a cryptanalyst working for the British government), who created a first computer to decrypt German intelligence communications during World War II. Given the growing evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs), which are among the molecules carried by EVs, are involved in cell-cell communication, we propose that decrypting messages from EVs can allow us to detect damage thus offering an opportunity to cure, reverse, or prevent the development of NDD. This review summarizes recent findings on miRNAs associated with selected environmental toxicants known to be involved in the pathophysiology of NDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Gillet
- Département Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé de l'Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12ème avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1H 5N4
| | - Darel John Hunting
- Département Radiobiologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé de l'Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12ème avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1H 5N4
| | - Larissa Takser
- Département Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé de l'Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12ème avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1H 5N4.
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9
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Chang MY, Park S, Choi JJ, Kim YK, Suh MW, Lee JH, Oh SH, Park MK. MicroRNAs 218a-5p, 219a-5p, and 221-3p regulate vestibular compensation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8701. [PMID: 28821887 PMCID: PMC5562769 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09422-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Unilateral vestibular deafferentation (UVD) interrupts afferent signals from one side, resulting in an imbalance of the resting activity between bilateral vestibular nuclei. Vestibular compensation is the process of balancing the resting activity to reestablish homeostasis. Here, we investigated microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate vestibular compensation using the Sprague-Dawley rat. After determining the progression of vestibular compensation following UVD, microarray analysis was performed and nine miRNAs were selected as candidates. Following validation by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, three miRNAs remained. We assessed the effect of these miRNAs on vestibular compensation using miRNA oligomers. We compared the results of the rotarod test and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine immunohistochemistry following UVD between the control group and the groups in which the candidate miRNA oligomers were administered. Administration of miR-218a-5p, 219a-5p, and 221-3p oligomers significantly affected vestibular compensation. Target pathway analysis of these miRNAs supported our results. Our findings suggest that the miRNAs 218a-5p, 219a-5p, and 221-3p regulate vestibular compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mun Young Chang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06973, Republic of Korea.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyeon Park
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Jae Choi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kook Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Whan Suh
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Ho Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ha Oh
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo Kyun Park
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Sjaarda CP, Hecht P, McNaughton AJM, Zhou A, Hudson ML, Will MJ, Smith G, Ayub M, Liang P, Chen N, Beversdorf D, Liu X. Interplay between maternal Slc6a4 mutation and prenatal stress: a possible mechanism for autistic behavior development. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8735. [PMID: 28821725 PMCID: PMC5562880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07405-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The low activity allele of the maternal polymorphism, 5HTTLPR, in the serotonin transporter, SLC6A4, coupled with prenatal stress is reported to increase the risk for children to develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Similarly, maternal Slc6a4 knock-out and prenatal stress in rodents results in offspring demonstrating ASD-like characteristics. The present study uses an integrative genomics approach to explore mechanistic changes in early brain development in mouse embryos exposed to this maternal gene-environment phenomenon. Restraint stress was applied to pregnant Slc6a4 +/+ and Slc6a4 +/- mice and post-stress embryonic brains were assessed for whole genome level profiling of methylome, transcriptome and miRNA using Next Generation Sequencing. Embryos of stressed Slc6a4 +/+ dams exhibited significantly altered methylation profiles and differential expression of 157 miRNAs and 1009 genes affecting neuron development and cellular adhesion pathways, which may function as a coping mechanism to prenatal stress. In striking contrast, the response of embryos of stressed Slc6a4 +/- dams was found to be attenuated, shown by significantly reduced numbers of differentially expressed genes (458) and miRNA (0) and genome hypermethylation. This attenuated response may pose increased risks on typical brain development resulting in development of ASD-like characteristics in offspring of mothers with deficits in serotonin related pathways during stressful pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin P Sjaarda
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Queen's Genomics Lab at Ongwanada (QGLO), Ongwanada Resource Center, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Amy J M McNaughton
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Queen's Genomics Lab at Ongwanada (QGLO), Ongwanada Resource Center, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Audrina Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Queen's Genomics Lab at Ongwanada (QGLO), Ongwanada Resource Center, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melissa L Hudson
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Queen's Genomics Lab at Ongwanada (QGLO), Ongwanada Resource Center, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matt J Will
- Psychological Sciences and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Garth Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Child Development Centre, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ping Liang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nansheng Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David Beversdorf
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, and the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Xudong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. .,Queen's Genomics Lab at Ongwanada (QGLO), Ongwanada Resource Center, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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Bahi A. Sustained lentiviral-mediated overexpression of microRNA124a in the dentate gyrus exacerbates anxiety- and autism-like behaviors associated with neonatal isolation in rats. Behav Brain Res 2016; 311:298-308. [PMID: 27211062 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly disabling psychiatric disorders. Despite a strong genetic etiology, there are no efficient therapeutic interventions that target the core symptoms of ASD. Emerging evidence suggests that dysfunction of microRNA (miR) machinery may contribute to the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in ASD. Here, we report a stress model demonstrating that neonatal isolation-induced long-lasting hippocampal elevation of miR124a was associated with reduced expression of its target BDNF mRNA. In addition, we investigated the impact of lentiviral-mediated overexpression of miR124a into the dentate gyrus (DG) on social interaction, repetitive- and anxiety-like behaviors in the neonatal isolation (Iso) model of autism. Rats isolated from the dams on PND 1 to PND 11 were assessed for their social interaction, marble burying test (MBT) and repetitive self-grooming behaviors as adults following miR124a overexpression. Also, anxiety-like behavior and locomotion were evaluated in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open-field (OF) tests. Results show that, consistent with previously published reports, Iso rats displayed decreased social interaction contacts but increased repetitive- and anxiety-like behaviors. Interestingly, across both autism- and anxiety-like behavioral assays, miR124a overexpression in the DG significantly exacerbated repetitive behaviors, social impairments and anxiety with no effect on locomotor activity. Our novel findings attribute neonatal isolation-inducible cognitive impairments to induction of miR124a and consequently suppressed BDNF mRNA, opening venues for intercepting these miR124a-mediated damages. They also highlight the importance of studying microRNAs in the context of ASD and identify miR124a as a novel potential therapeutic target for improving mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amine Bahi
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Davis GM, Haas MA, Pocock R. MicroRNAs: Not "Fine-Tuners" but Key Regulators of Neuronal Development and Function. Front Neurol 2015; 6:245. [PMID: 26635721 PMCID: PMC4656843 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNAs that operate as prominent post-transcriptional regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. miRNAs are abundantly expressed in the brain of most animals and exert diverse roles. The anatomical and functional complexity of the brain requires the precise coordination of multilayered gene regulatory networks. The flexibility, speed, and reversibility of miRNA function provide precise temporal and spatial gene regulatory capabilities that are crucial for the correct functioning of the brain. Studies have shown that the underlying molecular mechanisms controlled by miRNAs in the nervous systems of invertebrate and vertebrate models are remarkably conserved in humans. We endeavor to provide insight into the roles of miRNAs in the nervous systems of these model organisms and discuss how such information may be used to inform regarding diseases of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Davis
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Matilda A. Haas
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Roger Pocock
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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