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Chen CH, Chen Y, Li YN, Zhang H, Huang X, Li YY, Li ZY, Han JX, Wu XY, Liu HJ, Sun T. EGR3 Inhibits Tumor Progression by Inducing Schwann Cell-Like Differentiation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400066. [PMID: 38973154 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The mechanism and function of the expression of Schwann characteristics by nevus cells in the mature zone of the dermis are unknown. Early growth response 3 (EGR3) induces Schwann cell-like differentiation of melanoma cells by simulating the process of nevus maturation, which leads to a strong phenotypic transformation of the cells, including the formation of long protrusions and a decrease in cell motility, proliferation, and melanin production. Meanwhile, EGR3 regulates the levels of myelin protein zero (MPZ) and collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) through SRY-box transcription factor 10 (SOX10)-dependent and independent mechanisms, by binding to non-strictly conserved motifs, respectively. Schwann cell-like differentiation demonstrates significant benefits in both in vivo and clinical studies. Finally, a CD86-P2A-EGR3 recombinant mRNA vaccine is developed which leads to tumor control through forced cell differentiation and enhanced immune infiltration. Together, these data support further development of the recombinant mRNA as a treatment for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Hong Chen
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yi-Nan Li
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Xiu Huang
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Ying-Ying Li
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Zhi-Yang Li
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Jing-Xia Han
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Xin-Ying Wu
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Hui-Juan Liu
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300450, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Tianjin Nankai University State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Tianjin, 300350, China
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Wang B, Zhang S, Wang H, Wang M, Tao Y, Ye M, Fan Z, Wang Y, Liu L. Identification of EGR4 as a prospective target for inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and a novel biomarker in colorectal cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:871-883. [PMID: 38459370 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00743-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
EGR4 (Early Growth Response 4) is a member of the EGR family, involving in tumorigenesis. However, the function and action mechanism of EGR4 in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. To address this, we assessed the prognosis of CRC based on EGR4 using the Kaplan-Meier plotter tool and tissue microarray. The abundance of immunoinfiltration was evaluated through ssGSEA, TISIDB, and TIMER. In vitro experiments involving knockdown or overexpression of EGR4 were performed, and RNA-sequencing was conducted to explore potential mechanisms. Furthermore, we used oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil to validate the impact of EGR4 on chemo-resistance. Pan-cancer analysis and tissue microarray showed that EGR4 was highly expressed in CRC and significantly correlated with an unfavorable prognosis. Moreover, EGR4 expression was associated with immunoinfiltration and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the CRC microenvironment. Functional enrichment demonstrated that high-expressional EGR4 were involved in chromatin and nucleosome assembly. Additionally, EGR4 promoted the proliferation of CRC cells. Mechanistically, EGR4 upregulated TNFα to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, and its knockdown reduced p65 nuclear translocation. Importantly, combining shEGR4 with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil significantly inhibited CRC proliferation. Taken together, these findings provide new insights into the potential prognosis and therapeutic targets of EGR4 in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangting Wang
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- The Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Ili & Jiangsu Joint Institute of Health, Yining, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Wang
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuwen Tao
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mujie Ye
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhining Fan
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- The Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Ili & Jiangsu Joint Institute of Health, Yining, China.
| | - Li Liu
- Digestive Endoscopy Department, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Hill CM, Indeglia A, Picone F, Murphy ME, Cipriano C, Maki RG, Gardini A. NAB2-STAT6 drives an EGR1-dependent neuroendocrine program in Solitary Fibrous Tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589533. [PMID: 38659891 PMCID: PMC11042251 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of many rare tumor types is poorly understood, preventing the design of effective treatments. Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are neoplasms of mesenchymal origin that affect 1/1,000,000 individuals every year and are clinically assimilated to soft tissue sarcomas. SFTs can arise throughout the body and are usually managed surgically. However, 30-40% of SFTs will relapse local-regionally or metastasize. There are no systemic therapies with durable activity for malignant SFTs to date. The molecular hallmark of SFTs is a gene fusion between the NAB2 and STAT6 loci on chromosome 12, resulting in a chimeric protein of poorly characterized function called NAB2-STAT6. We use primary samples and an inducible cell model to discover that NAB2-STAT6 operates as a transcriptional coactivator for a specific set of enhancers and promoters that are normally targeted by the EGR1 transcription factor. In physiological conditions, NAB2 is primarily localized to the cytoplasm and only a small nuclear fraction is available to operate as a co-activator of EGR1 targets. NAB2-STAT6 redirects NAB1, NAB2, and additional EGR1 to the nucleus and bolster the expression of neuronal EGR1 targets. The STAT6 moiety of the fusion protein is a major driver of its nuclear localization and further contributes to NAB2's co-activating abilities. In primary tumors, NAB2-STAT6 activates a neuroendocrine gene signature that sets it apart from most sarcomas. These discoveries provide new insight into the pathogenesis of SFTs and reveal new targets with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor M Hill
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, US
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
| | - Alexandra Indeglia
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, US
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
| | | | | | - Cara Cipriano
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
| | - Robert G Maki
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, U.S
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Wang XY, Zhang D. Identifying Key Genes to the Early Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Integrating Analysis at the Blood and Tissue Levels. Gastroenterology Res 2023; 16:318-333. [PMID: 38186585 PMCID: PMC10769606 DOI: 10.14740/gr1683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is challenging to diagnose, and frequently relapses, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Despite extensive efforts, the pathogenesis of IBD remains unclear. Methods In this study, we integrated bioinformatics analysis and animal disease model to investigate IBD from two dimensions to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and explore the pathogenesis of distinct conditions at tissue-specific levels. Results Firstly, we identified dysferlin (DYSF) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2) as crucial biomarkers for IBD, with 11 and 13 putative biomarkers for CD and UC, respectively, identified by peripheral blood testing only. CXCL8 and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) were determined to be critical hub genes and validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Secondly, in CD, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly associated with immunity based on Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, while the metabolism of multiple substances and substance transport activity were dominant in UC. Thirdly, essential genes in the pathological progression of CD and UC were identified through protein-protein interaction networks and molecular complex detection (MCODE) analysis. Finally, pathological examination and quantitative analysis of IBD models confirmed the above results. Conclusions Our findings could contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of IBD, hold clinical significance for early diagnosis and prevention, and provide effective targets for treating IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
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Miao B, Xing X, Bazylianska V, Madden P, Moszczynska A, Zhang B. Methamphetamine-induced region-specific transcriptomic and epigenetic changes in the brain of male rats. Commun Biol 2023; 6:991. [PMID: 37758941 PMCID: PMC10533900 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05355-3] [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: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH) is neurotoxic to the brain and, therefore, its misuse leads to neurological and psychiatric disorders. The gene regulatory network (GRN) response to neurotoxic METH binge remains unclear in most brain regions. Here we examined the effects of binge METH on the GRN in the nucleus accumbens, dentate gyrus, Ammon's horn, and subventricular zone in male rats. At 24 h after METH, ~16% of genes displayed altered expression and over a quarter of previously open chromatin regions - parts of the genome where genes are typically active - showed shifts in their accessibility. Intriguingly, most changes were unique to each area studied, and independent regulation between transcriptome and chromatin accessibility was observed. Unexpectedly, METH differentially impacted gene activity and chromatin accessibility within the dentate gyrus and Ammon's horn. Around 70% of the affected chromatin-accessible regions in the rat brain have conserved DNA sequences in the human genome. These regions frequently act as enhancers, ramping up the activity of nearby genes, and contain mutations linked to various neurological conditions. By sketching out the gene regulatory networks associated with binge METH in specific brain regions, our study offers fresh insights into how METH can trigger profound, region-specific molecular shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benpeng Miao
- Department of Developmental Biology, Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomic Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomic Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Viktoriia Bazylianska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Pamela Madden
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Anna Moszczynska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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Ulloa Severino FP, Lawal OO, Sakers K, Wang S, Kim N, Friedman AD, Johnson SA, Sriworarat C, Hughes RH, Soderling SH, Kim IH, Yin HH, Eroglu C. Training-induced circuit-specific excitatory synaptogenesis in mice is required for effort control. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5522. [PMID: 37684234 PMCID: PMC10491649 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41078-z] [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: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptogenesis is essential for circuit development; however, it is unknown whether it is critical for the establishment and performance of goal-directed voluntary behaviors. Here, we show that operant conditioning via lever-press for food reward training in mice induces excitatory synapse formation onto a subset of anterior cingulate cortex neurons projecting to the dorsomedial striatum (ACC→DMS). Training-induced synaptogenesis is controlled by the Gabapentin/Thrombospondin receptor α2δ-1, which is an essential neuronal protein for proper intracortical excitatory synaptogenesis. Using germline and conditional knockout mice, we found that deletion of α2δ-1 in the adult ACC→DMS circuit diminishes training-induced excitatory synaptogenesis. Surprisingly, this manipulation does not impact learning but results in a significant increase in effort exertion without affecting sensitivity to reward value or changing contingencies. Bidirectional optogenetic manipulation of ACC→DMS neurons rescues or phenocopies the behaviors of the α2δ-1 cKO mice, highlighting the importance of synaptogenesis within this cortico-striatal circuit in regulating effort exertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paolo Ulloa Severino
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Cajal Institute (CSIC), Madrid, 28001, Spain.
| | | | - Kristina Sakers
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Shiyi Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Namsoo Kim
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Sarah Anne Johnson
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Ryan H Hughes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Scott H Soderling
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Il Hwan Kim
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health and Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
| | - Henry H Yin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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7
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Liu J, Wang Y, Xia K, Wu J, Zheng D, Cai A, Yan H, Su R. Acute psilocybin increased cortical activities in rats. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1168911. [PMID: 37287797 PMCID: PMC10243528 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1168911] [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: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic component of magic mushrooms, has significant psychoactive effects in both humans and rodents. But the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Blood-oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a useful tool in many preclinical and clinical trials to investigate psilocybin-induced changes of brain activity and functional connectivity (FC) due to its noninvasive nature and widespread availability. However, fMRI effects of psilocybin on rats have not been carefully investigated. This study aimed to explore how psilocybin affects resting-state brain activity and FC, through a combination of BOLD fMRI and immunofluorescence (IF) of EGR1, an immediate early gene (IEG) closely related to depressive symptoms. Ten minutes after psilocybin hydrochloride injection (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.), positive brain activities were observed in the frontal, temporal, and parietal cortex (including the cingulate cortex and retrosplenial cortex), hippocampus, and striatum. And a region-of-interest (ROI) -wise FC analysis matrix suggested increased interconnectivity of several regions, such as the cingulate cortex, dorsal striatum, prelimbic, and limbic regions. Further seed-based analyses revealed increased FC of cingulate cortex within the cortical and striatal areas. Consistently, acute psilocybin increased the EGR1 level throughout the brain, indicating a consistent activation thought the cortical and striatal areas. In conclusion, the psilocybin-induced hyperactive state of rats is congruent to that of humans, and may be responsible for its pharmacological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ke Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Danhao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Aoling Cai
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Second People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Haitao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ruibin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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Anxiolytic-like Effect of Inhaled Cinnamon Essential Oil and Its Main Component Cinnamaldehyde in Animal Models. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27227997. [PMID: 36432096 PMCID: PMC9693619 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aromatherapy is one of the most common safer alternative treatments for psychiatric disorders with fewer side effects than conventional drugs. Here, we investigated the effects of cinnamon essential oil (CIEO) inhalation on mouse behaviors by performing different behavioral tests. CIEO inhalation showed anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus maze test, as inferred from increased time spent in open arms and decreased time spent in closed arms. Moreover, the CIEO treatment enhanced social behavior by increasing the total contact number, time spent in the center, distance traveled in the center, and total distance in the social interaction test. However, CIEO inhalation did not have any effect on performance in the open field test, tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and Y maze tests. The microarray analysis indicated that the CIEO treatment downregulated 17 genes and upregulated 15 genes in the hippocampus. Among them, Dcc, Egr2, and Fos are the most crucial genes that are involved in anxiety-related biological processes and pathways, including the regulation of neuronal death and neuroinflammation. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed that cinnamaldehyde is the main component of CIEO. Cinnamaldehyde recovered MK-801-induced anxiety-related changes in the electroencephalogram power spectrum in zebrafish. Taken together, our findings suggest that CIEO and its main component cinnamaldehyde have an anxiolytic effect through the regulation of the expression of genes related to neuroinflammatory response and neuronal death.
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Chen YR, Zhang SX, Fang M, Zhang P, Zhou YF, Yu X, Zhang XN, Chen G. Egr2 contributes to age-dependent vulnerability to sevoflurane-induced cognitive deficits in mice. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2828-2840. [PMID: 35577909 PMCID: PMC9622904 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00915-5] [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: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sevoflurane inhalation is prone to initiate cognitive deficits in infants. The early growth response-2 (Egr-2) gene is DNA-binding transcription factor, involving in cognitive function. In this study we explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the vulnerability to cognitive deficits after sevoflurane administration. Six-day-old (young) and 6-week-old (early adult) mice received anesthesia with 3% sevoflurane for 2 h daily for 3 days. We showed that multiple exposures of sevoflurane induced significant learning ability impairment in young but not early adult mice, assessed in Morris water maze test on postnatal days 65. The integrated differential expression analysis revealed distinct transcription responses of Egr family members in the hippocampus of the young and early adult mice after sevoflurane administration. Particularly, Egr2 was significantly upregulated after sevoflurane exposure only in young mice. Microinjection of Egr2 shRNA recombinant adeno-associated virus into the dentate gyrus alleviated sevoflurane-induced cognitive deficits, and abolished sevoflurane-induced dendritic spins loss and BDNF downregulation in young mice. On the contrary, microinjection of the Egr2 overexpression virus in the dentate gyrus aggravated learning ability impairment induced by sevoflurane in young mice but not early adult mice. Furthermore, we revealed that sevoflurane markedly upregulated the nuclear factors of activated T-cells NFATC1 and NFATC2 in young mice, which were involved in Egr2 regulation. In conclusion, Egr2 serves as a critical factor for age-dependent vulnerability to sevoflurane-induced cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Ru Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shu-Xia Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Man Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Piao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - You-Fa Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiang-Nan Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of the Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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10
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Woodson CM, Kehn-Hall K. Examining the role of EGR1 during viral infections. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1020220. [PMID: 36338037 PMCID: PMC9634628 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1020220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Early growth response 1 (EGR1) is a multifunctional mammalian transcription factor capable of both enhancing and/or inhibiting gene expression. EGR1 can be activated by a wide array of stimuli such as exposure to growth factors, cytokines, apoptosis, and various cellular stress states including viral infections by both DNA and RNA viruses. Following induction, EGR1 functions as a convergence point for numerous specialized signaling cascades and couples short-term extracellular signals to influence transcriptional regulation of genes required to initiate the appropriate biological response. The role of EGR1 has been extensively studied in both physiological and pathological conditions of the adult nervous system where it is readily expressed in various regions of the brain and is critical for neuronal plasticity and the formation of memories. In addition to its involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders, EGR1 has also been widely examined in the field of cancer where it plays paradoxical roles as a tumor suppressor gene or oncogene. EGR1 is also associated with multiple viral infections such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In this review, we examine EGR1 and its role(s) during viral infections. First, we provide an overview of EGR1 in terms of its structure, other family members, and a brief overview of its roles in non-viral disease states. We also review upstream regulators of EGR1 and downstream factors impacted by EGR1. Then, we extensively examine EGR1 and its roles, both direct and indirect, in regulating replication of DNA and RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. Woodson
- Department of Biomedical Science and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Kylene Kehn-Hall
- Department of Biomedical Science and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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11
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Barman B, Kushwaha A, Thakur MK. Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors-Mediated Activation of PKC Restores the Hippocampal Immediate Early Gene Expression and CREB Phosphorylation in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5722-5733. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02940-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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12
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EGR1 Upregulation during Encephalitic Viral Infections Contributes to Inflammation and Cell Death. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061210. [PMID: 35746681 PMCID: PMC9227295 DOI: 10.3390/v14061210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Early growth response 1 (EGR1) is an immediate early gene and transcription factor previously found to be significantly upregulated in human astrocytoma cells infected with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). The loss of EGR1 resulted in decreased cell death but had no significant impact on viral replication. Here, we extend these studies to determine the impacts of EGR1 on gene expression following viral infection. Inflammatory genes CXCL3, CXCL8, CXCL10, TNF, and PTGS2 were upregulated in VEEV-infected cells, which was partially dependent on EGR1. Additionally, transcription factors, including EGR1 itself, as well as ATF3, FOS, JUN, KLF4, EGR2, and EGR4 were found to be partially transcriptionally dependent on EGR1. We also examined the role of EGR1 and the changes in gene expression in response to infection with other alphaviruses, including eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), Sindbis virus (SINV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), as well as Zika virus (ZIKV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), members of the Flaviviridae and Phenuiviridae families, respectively. EGR1 was significantly upregulated to varying degrees in EEEV-, CHIKV-, RVFV-, SINV-, and ZIKV-infected astrocytoma cells. Genes that were identified as being partially transcriptionally dependent on EGR1 in infected cells included ATF3 (EEEV, CHIKV, ZIKV), JUN (EEEV), KLF4 (SINV, ZIKV, RVFV), CXCL3 (EEEV, CHIKV, ZIKV), CXCL8 (EEEV, CHIKV, ZIKV, RVFV), CXCL10 (EEEV, RVFV), TNF-α (EEEV, ZIKV, RVFV), and PTGS2 (EEEV, CHIKV, ZIKV). Additionally, inhibition of the inflammatory gene PTGS2 with Celecoxib, a small molecule inhibitor, rescued astrocytoma cells from VEEV-induced cell death but had no impact on viral titers. Collectively, these results suggest that EGR1 induction following viral infection stimulates multiple inflammatory mediators. Managing inflammation and cell death in response to viral infection is of utmost importance, especially during VEEV infection where survivors are at-risk for neurological sequalae.
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13
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Deshpande K, Martirosian V, Nakamura BN, Iyer M, Julian A, Eisenbarth R, Shao L, Attenello F, Neman J. Neuronal exposure induces neurotransmitter signaling and synaptic mediators in tumors early in brain metastasis. Neuro Oncol 2021; 24:914-924. [PMID: 34932815 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BM) are responsible for neurological decline and poor overall survival. Although the pro-metastatic roles of glial cells, and the acquisition of neuronal attributes in established BM tumors have been described, there are no studies that investigate the initial interplay between neurons and brain-seeking tumor cells. The aim of this study was to characterize early tumor-neuron interactions and the induced CNS-adaptive changes in tumor cells prior to macro-colonization. METHODS Utilizing pure neuronal cultures and brain-naïve and patient-derived BM tumor cells, we surveyed the early induction of mediators of neurotransmitter (NT) and synaptic signaling in breast and lung tumor cells. Reliance on microenvironmental GABA in breast-to-brain metastatic cells (BBMs) was assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Co-culture with neurons induces early expression of classical NT receptor genes (HTR4, GRIA2, GRIN2B, GRM4, GRM8, DRD1) and neuronal synaptic mediators (CNR1, EGR2, ARC, NGFR, NRXN1) in breast and lung cancer cells. NT-dependent classification of tumor cells within the neuronal niche shows breast cancer cells become GABAergic responsive brain metastases (GRBMs) and transition from relying on autocrine GABA, to paracrine GABA from adjacent neurons; while autocrine Dopaminergic breast and lung tumor cells persist. In vivo studies confirm reliance on paracrine GABA is an early CNS-acclimation strategy in breast cancer. Moreover, neuronal contact induces early resurgence in Reelin expression in tumor cells through epigenetic activation, facilitating CNS adaptation. CONCLUSION Tumor-neuron interactions allow for CNS-adaptation early in the course of brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brooke Naomi Nakamura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mukund Iyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alex Julian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Eisenbarth
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ling Shao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Frank Attenello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Brain Tumor Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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14
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Magwai T, Shangase KB, Oginga FO, Chiliza B, Mpofana T, Xulu KR. DNA Methylation and Schizophrenia: Current Literature and Future Perspective. Cells 2021; 10:2890. [PMID: 34831111 PMCID: PMC8616184 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by dissociation of thoughts, idea, identity, and emotions. It has no central pathophysiological mechanism and precise diagnostic markers. Despite its high heritability, there are also environmental factors implicated in the development of schizophrenia. Epigenetic factors are thought to mediate the effects of environmental factors in the development of the disorder. Epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation are a risk factor for schizophrenia. Targeted gene approach studies attempted to find candidate gene methylation, but the results are contradictory. Genome-wide methylation studies are insufficient in literature and the available data do not cover different populations like the African populations. The current genome-wide studies have limitations related to the sample and methods used. Studies are required to control for these limitations. Integration of DNA methylation, gene expression, and their effects are important in the understanding of the development of schizophrenia and search for biomarkers. There are currently no precise and functional biomarkers for the disorder. Several epigenetic markers have been reported to be common in functional and peripheral tissue. This makes the peripheral tissue epigenetic changes a surrogate of functional tissue, suggesting common epigenetic alteration can be used as biomarkers of schizophrenia in peripheral tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thabo Magwai
- Department of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; (K.B.S.); (F.O.O.); (T.M.)
- National Health Laboratory Service, Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4085, South Africa
| | - Khanyiso Bright Shangase
- Department of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; (K.B.S.); (F.O.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Fredrick Otieno Oginga
- Department of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; (K.B.S.); (F.O.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Bonginkosi Chiliza
- Department of Psychiatry, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa;
| | - Thabisile Mpofana
- Department of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; (K.B.S.); (F.O.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Khethelo Richman Xulu
- Department of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; (K.B.S.); (F.O.O.); (T.M.)
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15
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A Time-Course Study of the Expression Level of Synaptic Plasticity-Associated Genes in Un-Lesioned Spinal Cord and Brain Areas in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury: A Bioinformatic Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168606. [PMID: 34445312 PMCID: PMC8395345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168606] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
"Neuroplasticity" is often evoked to explain adaptation and compensation after acute lesions of the Central Nervous System (CNS). In this study, we investigated the modification of 80 genes involved in synaptic plasticity at different times (24 h, 8 and 45 days) from the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), adopting a bioinformatic analysis. mRNA expression levels were analyzed in the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum and in the spinal segments rostral and caudal to the lesion. The main results are: (i) a different gene expression regulation is observed in the Spinal Cord (SC) segments rostral and caudal to the lesion; (ii) long lasting changes in the SC includes the extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymes Timp1, transcription regulators (Egr, Nr4a1), second messenger associated proteins (Gna1, Ywhaq); (iii) long-lasting changes in the Motor Cortex includes transcription regulators (Cebpd), neurotransmitters/neuromodulators and receptors (Cnr1, Gria1, Nos1), growth factors and related receptors (Igf1, Ntf3, Ntrk2), second messenger associated proteins (Mapk1); long lasting changes in Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum include ECM protein (Reln), growth factors (Ngf, Bdnf), transcription regulators (Egr, Cebpd), neurotransmitter receptors (Grin2c). These data suggest the molecular mapping as a useful tool to investigate the brain and SC reorganization after SCI.
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16
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Yildirim F, Foddis M, Blumenau S, Müller S, Kajetan B, Holtgrewe M, Kola V, Beule D, Sassi C. Shared and oppositely regulated transcriptomic signatures in Huntington's disease and brain ischemia confirm known and unveil novel potential neuroprotective genes. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 104:122.e1-122.e17. [PMID: 33875290 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.03.001] [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: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease and subcortical vascular dementia display similar dementing features, shaped by different degrees of striatal atrophy, deep white matter degeneration and tau pathology. To investigate the hypothesis that Huntington's disease transcriptomic hallmarks may provide a window into potential protective genes upregulated during brain acute and subacute ischemia, we compared RNA sequencing signatures in the most affected brain areas of 2 widely used experimental mouse models: Huntington's disease, (R6/2, striatum and cortex and Q175, hippocampus) and brain ischemia-subcortical vascular dementia (BCCAS, striatum, cortex and hippocampus). We identified a cluster of 55 shared genes significantly differentially regulated in both models and we screened these in 2 different mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, and 96 early-onset familial and apparently sporadic small vessel ischemic disease patients. Our data support the prevalent role of transcriptional regulation upon genetic coding variability of known neuroprotective genes (Egr2, Fos, Ptgs2, Itga5, Cdkn1a, Gsn, Npas4, Btg2, Cebpb) and provide a list of potential additional ones likely implicated in different dementing disorders and worth further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferah Yildirim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Foddis
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sonja Blumenau
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bentele Kajetan
- Berlin Institute of Health, BIH, Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuel Holtgrewe
- Berlin Institute of Health, BIH, Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vasilis Kola
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Beule
- Berlin Institute of Health, BIH, Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Celeste Sassi
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
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17
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Martínez M, Inestrosa NC. The transcriptional landscape of Alzheimer's disease and its association with Wnt signaling pathway. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:454-466. [PMID: 34224789 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder primarily affecting the elderly. The disease manifests as progressive deterioration in cognitive functions, leading to a loss of autonomy. The identification of transcriptional changes in susceptible signaling pathways has provided clues to the origin and progression of AD and has pinpointed synapse loss as the prominent event in early stages of the disease. Synapse failure represents a key pathological correlate of cognitive decline in patients. Genetics and transcriptomics studies have also identified novel genes, processes, and pathways associated with AD. This evidence suggests that a deficiency in Wnt signaling pathway contributes to AD pathogenesis by inducing synaptic dysfunction and neuronal degeneration. In the adult nervous system, Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in synaptic physiology, modulating the synaptic vesicle cycle, trafficking neurotransmitter receptors, and modulating the expression of different genes associated with these processes. In this review, we describe the general transcriptional landscape associated with AD, specifically transcriptional changes associated with the Wnt signaling pathway and their effects in the context of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milka Martínez
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE UC), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nibaldo C Inestrosa
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE UC), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.
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18
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Rouleau N, Cairns DM, Rusk W, Levin M, Kaplan DL. Learning and synaptic plasticity in 3D bioengineered neural tissues. Neurosci Lett 2021; 750:135799. [PMID: 33675883 PMCID: PMC7994196 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Though neuroscientists have historically relied upon measurement of established nervous systems, contemporary advances in bioengineering have made it possible to design and build artificial neural tissues with which to investigate normative and diseased states [1-5] however, their potential to display features of learning and memory remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate response patterns characteristic of habituation, a form of non-associative learning, in 3D bioengineered neural tissues exposed to repetitive injections of current to elicit evoked-potentials (EPs). A return of the evoked response following rest indicated learning was transient and partially reversible. Applying patterned current as massed or distributed pulse trains induced differential expression of immediate early genes (IEG) that are known to facilitate synaptic plasticity and participate in memory formation [6,7]. Our findings represent the first demonstration of a learning response in a bioengineered neural tissue in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rouleau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, United States; The Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, United States; Initiative for Neural Science, Disease, and Engineering (INSciDE), Tufts University, United States.
| | - Dana M Cairns
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, United States; The Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, United States; Initiative for Neural Science, Disease, and Engineering (INSciDE), Tufts University, United States.
| | - William Rusk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, United States.
| | - Michael Levin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, United States; The Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, United States; Department of Biology, Tufts University, United States.
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, United States; The Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, United States; Initiative for Neural Science, Disease, and Engineering (INSciDE), Tufts University, United States.
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19
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Zhou X, Zhang FY, Liu Y, Wei DX. A Risk Prediction Model for Breast Cancer Based on Immune Genes Related to Early Growth Response Proteins Family. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 7:616547. [PMID: 33614706 PMCID: PMC7887293 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.616547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Early growth response proteins (EGRs), a transcriptional regulatory family comprised of EGR1, EGR2, EGR3, and EGR 4, are reportedly involved in a vast array of functions. However, EGRs, as a whole, are rarely studied in breast cancer cases. This research was performed based on public datasets. The results demonstrated that, except EGR4, the other EGRs were differentially expressed genes in breast cancer. Subsequently, this study determined the prognosis significance of the EGR family, higher expression levels of EGRs indicating better overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), except EGR4. So we attempted to explore the potential mechanism behind the prognostic value of EGRs. At the DNA level, however, neither DNA methylation status nor genetic alterations of EGRs contributed to the prognosis significance. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that EGRs were involved in several immune-related functions. Afterward, we assessed the correlation between EGRs and the immune system before establishing a risk prediction model with a 14-gene immune signature associated with EGRs, a prognostic nomogram predicting individuals’ 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival probabilities. The risk score was an independent prognosis predictor in the breast cancer cohorts. This study evidenced EGRs’ significance for tumor immunity, demonstrating that the EGR family may be a potential immunotherapeutic target for breast cancer. The 14-gene immune signature is a promising prognostic biomarker in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Fang-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Dong-Xin Wei
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, China
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20
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Taefehshokr N, Miao T, Symonds ALJ, Wang P, Li S. Egr2 regulation in T cells is mediated through IFNγ/STAT1 and IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway. Pathol Res Pract 2020; 216:153259. [PMID: 33099163 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The immune system is a host defence system to protect the body against foreign invaders. T cells are one of the major components of the immune cells and they are essential for immune responses. Early growth response gene (Egr2) in T cells is important for maintaining immune functions of T cells by promoting adaptive immune responses while controlling inflammation and preventing the development of autoimmune diseases. A study by our group demonstrated the function of Egr2 as a checkpoint regulator controlling the proliferation and differentiation of the T cells. In association, Egr2 and 3 play indispensable role in T cell immune response, but the mechanism regulating Egr2 expression in T cells is still unclear. In this study, we analysed the Egr2 expression mechanism in CD4 T cells under antigen stimulation. We found that Egr2 expression is regulated by different cytokines including IL-2 and IL-4, which increased Egr2 induction in activated T cells. However, inflammatory cytokines, including INFγ and IL-6, suppressed Egr2 expression through STAT1 and STAT3 signalling pathway respectively, highlighting a mechanism for tolergenic immune response on T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Taefehshokr
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - Tizong Miao
- The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, LONDON E1 2AD, UK
| | - Alistair L J Symonds
- The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, LONDON E1 2AD, UK
| | - Ping Wang
- The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, LONDON E1 2AD, UK
| | - Suling Li
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, UB8 3PH, UK
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21
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Han S, Zhu T, Ding S, Wen J, Lin Z, Lu G, Zhang Y, Xiao W, Ding Y, Jia X, Chen H, Gong W. Early growth response genes 2 and 3 induced by AP-1 and NF-κB modulate TGF-β1 transcription in NK1.1 - CD4 + NKG2D + T cells. Cell Signal 2020; 76:109800. [PMID: 33011290 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells are a subpopulation of regulatory T cells that downregulate the functions of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages through TGF-β1 production. Early growth response genes 2 (Egr2) and 3 (Egr3) maintain immune homeostasis by modulating T lymphocyte development, inhibiting effector T cell function, and promoting the induction of regulatory T cells. Whether Egr2 and Egr3 directly regulate TGF-β1 transcription in NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells remains elusive. The expression levels of Egr2 and Egr3 were higher in NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells than in NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D- T cells. Egr2 and Egr3 expression were remarkably increased after stimulating NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells with sRAE or α-CD3/sRAE. The ectopic expression of Egr2 or Egr3 resulted in the enhancement of TGF-β1 expression, while knockdown of Egr2 or Egr3 led to the decreased expression of TGF-β1 in NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells. Egr2 and Egr3 directly bound with the TGF-β1 promoter as demonstrated by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay and dual-luciferase gene reporter assay. Furthermore, the Egr2 and Egr3 expression of NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells could be induced by the AP-1 and NF-κB transcriptional factors, but had no involvement with the activation of NF-AT and STAT3. In conclusion, Egr2 and Egr3 induced by AP-1 and NF-κB directly initiate TGF-β1 transcription in NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells. This study indicates that manipulating Egr2 and Egr3 expression would potentiate or alleviate the regulatory function of NK1.1- CD4+ NKG2D+ T cells and this strategy could be used in the therapy for patients with autoimmune diseases or tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Han
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Shizhen Ding
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Jianqiang Wen
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Zhijie Lin
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Guotao Lu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Disease, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Weiming Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Disease, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Yanbing Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Disease, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Jia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Disease, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China
| | - Huabiao Chen
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Weijuan Gong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Disease, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-coding RNA Research, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, PR China.
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22
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Canchi S, Raao B, Masliah D, Rosenthal SB, Sasik R, Fisch KM, De Jager PL, Bennett DA, Rissman RA. Integrating Gene and Protein Expression Reveals Perturbed Functional Networks in Alzheimer's Disease. Cell Rep 2020; 28:1103-1116.e4. [PMID: 31340147 PMCID: PMC7503200 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymptomatic and symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) subjects may present with equivalent neuropathological burdens but have significantly different antemortem cognitive decline rates. Using the transcriptome as a proxy for functional state, we selected 414 expression profiles of symptomatic AD subjects and age-matched non-demented controls from a community-based neuropathological study. By combining brain tissue-specific protein interactomes with gene networks, we identified functionally distinct composite clusters of genes that reveal extensive changes in expression levels in AD. Global expression for clusters broadly corresponding to synaptic transmission, metabolism, cell cycle, survival, and immune response were downregulated, while the upregulated cluster included largely uncharacterized processes. We propose that loss of EGR3 regulation mediates synaptic deficits by targeting the synaptic vesicle cycle. Our results highlight the utility of integrating protein interactions with gene perturbations to generate a comprehensive framework for characterizing alterations in the molecular network as applied to AD. Canchi et al. reveal the transcriptomic dynamics of clinically and neuropathologically confirmed Alzheimer’s disease subjects by integrating brain tissue-specific proteome data with gene network analysis. They identify perturbed biological processes and provide insights into the interactions between molecular mechanisms in symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saranya Canchi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Balaji Raao
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Deborah Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roman Sasik
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen M Fisch
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert A Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
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23
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Dai R, Heid B, Xu X, Xie H, Reilly CM, Ahmed SA. EGR2 is elevated and positively regulates inflammatory IFNγ production in lupus CD4 + T cells. BMC Immunol 2020; 21:41. [PMID: 32646370 PMCID: PMC7346656 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-020-00370-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown that early growth response 2 (EGR2) is highly induced in activated T cells and regulates T cell functions. In normal C57BL/6 (B6) mice, deletion of EGR2 in lymphocytes results in the development of lupus-like systemic autoimmune disease, which implies indirectly an autoimmune protective role of EGR2. Conversely, increased EGR2 gene expression is suggested to link with high risk of human lupus. In the present studies we sought to clarify the expression and inflammation regulatory role of EGR2 in murine lupus T cells directly. Results We performed RT-qPCR analysis and found a significant increase of EGR2 mRNA expression in human lupus PBMCs and in CD4+ T cells from three different murine lupus models including MRL-lpr, B6-lpr, and B6.sle123 mice at diseased stage when compared to age-matched control MRL or B6 mice. By performing intracellular flow cytometry analysis, we found that EGR2 protein expression was significantly increased in resting lupus (either MRL-lpr or B6.sle123) CD4+ T cells when compared to CD4+ T cells from their respective non-autoimmune controls. However, there was no difference of EGR2 protein expression in anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 stimulated control and lupus CD4+ T cells since there was a stronger induction of EGR2 in activated control CD4+ T cells. EGR2 expression was significantly increased in MRL-lpr mice at an age when lupus is manifested. To understand further the function of elevated EGR2 in lupus CD4+ T cells, we inhibited EGR2 with a specific siRNA in vitro in splenocytes from MRL-lpr and control MRL mice at 15 weeks-of-age. We found that EGR2 inhibition significantly reduced IFNγ production in PMA and ionomycin activated MRL-lpr lupus CD4+ T cells, but not control MRL CD4+ T cells. We also found that inhibition of EGR2 in vitro suppressed the Th1 differentiation in both MRL and MRL-lpr naïve CD4+ T cells. Conclusions EGR2 is highly upregulated in human and murine lupus cells. Our in vitro data suggest a positive role of EGR2 in the regulation of Th1 differentiation and IFNγ production in lupus effector CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujuan Dai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Bettina Heid
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Xiguang Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Hehuang Xie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Christopher M Reilly
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - S Ansar Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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24
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Upton DH, Popovic K, Fulton R, Kassiou M. Anaesthetic-dependent changes in gene expression following acute and chronic exposure in the rodent brain. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9366. [PMID: 32518252 PMCID: PMC7283325 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66122-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaesthesia has been predicted to affect gene expression of the memory-related regions of the brain including the primary visual cortex. It is also believed that anaesthesia causes inflammation of neural tissues, increasing elderly patients' chances of developing precursor lesions that lead to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegeneration related diseases. We have analyzed the expression of over 22,000 genes and 129,800 transcripts using oligonucleotide microarrays to examine the brain expression profiles in Sprague Dawley rats following exposure to acute or chronic doses of the anaesthetics isoflurane, ketamine and propofol. Here we report for the first time molecular and genomic data on the effect on the rodent brain of chronic and acute exposure to isoflurane, ketamine and propofol. Our screen identified multiple genes that responded to all three anaesthetics. Although some of the genes were previously known to be anaesthesia responsive, we have for the most part identified novel genes involved in the acute and chronic rodent brain response to different anaesthesia treatments. The latter may be useful candidate genes in the search to elucidate the molecular pathways mediating anaesthetic effects in the brain and may allow us to identify mechanisms by which anaesthetics could impact on neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dannielle H Upton
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kata Popovic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Roger Fulton
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Physics, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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25
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Pan B, Zhou Y, Li H, Li Y, Xue X, Li L, Liu Q, Zhao X, Niu Q. Relationship between occupational aluminium exposure and histone lysine modification through methylation. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2020; 61:126551. [PMID: 32470791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aluminium is an environmental neurotoxin to which human beings are extensively exposed. However, the molecular mechanism of aluminium toxicity remains unclear. METHODS The changes in cognitive function of aluminum exposed workers under long-term occupational exposure were evaluated, and the relationship between cognitive changes, plasma memory related BDNF and EGR1 protein expression, and variations of epigenetic markers H3K4me3, H3K9me2, H3K27me3 expression levels in blood was explored. RESULTS MMSE, DSFT, DST scores in cognitive function and the levels of plasma BDNF and EGR1 protein expression decreased with the increase of blood aluminum level. H3K4me3, H3K9me2, H3K27me3 expression levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes of aluminum exposed workers were statistically different (all P<0.05). H3K4me3, H3K9me2 and H3K27me3 expression levels in lymphocytes were correlated with blood aluminum level. BDNF, EGR1 protein level and H3K4me3, H3K9me2, H3K27me3 expression levels have different degrees of correlation. There was a linear regression relationship between plasma BDNF, H3K4me3 and H3K9me2. H3K9me2 had a greater effect on BDNF than H3K4me3. There is a linear regression relationship between EGR1, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, and the influence of H3K4me3 on EGR1 is greater than that of H3K27me3 on EGR1. CONCLUSION Alummnum may regulate the expression of BDNF and EGR1 by regulating H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and H3K9me2, and affect the cognitive function of workers by affecting the expression of BDNF and EGR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolong Pan
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China; Sixth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (General Hospital of Tisco), China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China; Key Lab of Environmental Hazard and Health of Shanxi Province, Shanxi Medical University, China; Key Lab of Cellular Physiology of Education Ministry, Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Xingli Xue
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Qun Liu
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhao
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China
| | - Qiao Niu
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, China; Key Lab of Environmental Hazard and Health of Shanxi Province, Shanxi Medical University, China; Key Lab of Cellular Physiology of Education Ministry, Shanxi Medical University, China.
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26
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Cerqueira M, Millot S, Felix A, Silva T, Oliveira GA, Oliveira CCV, Rey S, MacKenzie S, Oliveira R. Cognitive appraisal in fish: stressor predictability modulates the physiological and neurobehavioural stress response in sea bass. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20192922. [PMID: 32183629 PMCID: PMC7126027 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of cognitive factors in triggering the stress response is well established in humans and mammals (aka cognitive appraisal theory) but very seldom studied in other vertebrate taxa. Predictability is a key factor of the cognitive evaluation of stimuli. In this study, we tested the effects of stressor predictability on behavioral, physiological and neuromolecular responses in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Groups of four fish were exposed to a predictable (signalled) or unpredictable (unsignalled) stressor. Stressor predictability elicited a lower behavioural response and reduced cortisol levels. Using the expression of immediate early genes (c-fos, egr-1, bdnf and npas4) as markers of neuronal activity, we monitored the activity of three sea bass brain regions known to be implicated in stressor appraisal: the dorsomedian telencephalon, Dm (putative homologue of the pallial amygdala); and the dorsal (Dld) and ventral (Dlv) subareas of the dorsolateral telencephalon (putative homologue of the hippocampus). The activity of both the Dm and Dlv significantly responded to stressor predictability, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved role of these two brain regions in information processing related to stressor appraisal. These results indicate that stressor predictability plays a key role in the activation of the stress response in a teleost fish, hence highlighting the role of cognitive processes in fish stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Cerqueira
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - S. Millot
- Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Ifremer, L'Houmeau, France
| | - A. Felix
- ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - G. A. Oliveira
- ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - C. C. V. Oliveira
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - S. Rey
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - S. MacKenzie
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - R. Oliveira
- ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- Champalimaud Research, Lisbon, Portugal
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27
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Li H, Lim HC, Zacharaki D, Xian X, Kenswil KJG, Bräunig S, Raaijmakers MHGP, Woods NB, Hansson J, Scheding S. Early growth response 1 regulates hematopoietic support and proliferation in human primary bone marrow stromal cells. Haematologica 2019; 105:1206-1215. [PMID: 31371413 PMCID: PMC7193482 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.216648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) are key elements of the hematopoietic environment and they play a central role in bone and bone marrow physiology. However, how key stromal cell functions are regulated is largely unknown. We analyzed the role of the immediate early response transcription factor EGR1 as key stromal cell regulator and found that EGR1 was highly expressed in prospectively-isolated primary BMSC, down-regulated upon culture, and low in non-colony-forming CD45neg stromal cells. Furthermore, EGR1 expression was lower in proliferative regenerating adult and fetal primary cells compared to adult steady-state BMSC. Overexpression of EGR1 in stromal cells induced potent hematopoietic stroma support as indicated by an increased production of transplantable CD34+CD90+ hematopoietic stem cells in expansion co-cultures. The improvement in bone marrow stroma support function was mediated by increased expression of hematopoietic supporting genes, such as VCAM1 and CCL28. Furthermore, EGR1 overexpression markedly decreased stromal cell proliferation whereas EGR1 knockdown caused the opposite effects. These findings thus show that EGR1 is a key stromal transcription factor with a dual role in regulating proliferation and hematopoietic stroma support function that is controlling a genetic program to co-ordinate the specific functions of BMSC in their different biological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhe Li
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hooi-Ching Lim
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dimitra Zacharaki
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Xiaojie Xian
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Keane J G Kenswil
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sandro Bräunig
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Niels-Bjarne Woods
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Hansson
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Stefan Scheding
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden .,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Hematology, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Skåne, Sweden
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28
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Hu TM, Chen SJ, Hsu SH, Cheng MC. Functional analyses and effect of DNA methylation on the EGR1 gene in patients with schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2019; 275:276-282. [PMID: 30952071 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
EGR1, involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, is considered a candidate gene for schizophrenia. We resequenced the exonic regions of EGR1 in 516 patients with schizophrenia and conducted a reporter gene assay. We found two mutations including a rare mutation (c.-8C>T, rs561524195) and one common SNP (c.308-42C>T, rs11743810). The reporter gene assay showed c.-8C>T mutant did not affect promoter activity. Gene expression analyses showed that the average EGR1 mRNA and protein levels in lymphoblastoid cell lines of schizophrenia in male, but not female, were significantly higher than those in controls. We conducted in vitro DNA methylation reaction, luciferase activity assay, and pyrosequencing to assess DNA methylation of EGR1 expression underlying the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. DNA methylation of the EGR1 promoter region attenuated reporter activity, suggesting that DNA methylation regulates EGR1 expression. There were no statistically significant differences in DNA methylation levels of 17 CpG sites at the EGR1 promoter region between 64 patients with schizophrenia compared with 64 controls. These results suggest that the exonic mutations in EGR1 and DNA methylation regulating EGR1 expression might not be associated with schizophrenia. However, the gender-specific association of elevated EGR1 expression might be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Ming Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hualien County, Taiwan; Department of Long-Term Care, University of Kang Ning, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shaw-Ji Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taitung Branch, Taitung County, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hsin Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hualien County, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chih Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hualien County, Taiwan.
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29
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Sommerlandt FMJ, Brockmann A, Rössler W, Spaethe J. Immediate early genes in social insects: a tool to identify brain regions involved in complex behaviors and molecular processes underlying neuroplasticity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:637-651. [PMID: 30349993 PMCID: PMC6514070 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2948-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Social insects show complex behaviors and master cognitive tasks. The underlying neuronal mechanisms, however, are in most cases only poorly understood due to challenges in monitoring brain activity in freely moving animals. Immediate early genes (IEGs) that get rapidly and transiently expressed following neuronal stimulation provide a powerful tool for detecting behavior-related neuronal activity in vertebrates. In social insects, like honey bees, and in insects in general, this approach is not yet routinely established, even though these genes are highly conserved. First studies revealed a vast potential of using IEGs as neuronal activity markers to analyze the localization, function, and plasticity of neuronal circuits underlying complex social behaviors. We summarize the current knowledge on IEGs in social insects and provide ideas for future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank M J Sommerlandt
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Axel Brockmann
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bellary Road, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Wolfgang Rössler
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Spaethe
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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30
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Immediate-Early Promoter-Driven Transgenic Reporter System for Neuroethological Research in a Hemimetabolous Insect. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-MNT-0061-18. [PMID: 30225346 PMCID: PMC6140108 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0061-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes expressed in response to increased neuronal activity are widely used as activity markers in recent behavioral neuroscience. In the present study, we established transgenic reporter system for whole-brain activity mapping in the two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, a hemimetabolous insect used in neuroethology and behavioral ecology. In the cricket brain, a homolog of early growth response-1 (Gryllus egr-B) was rapidly induced as an immediate-early gene (IEG) in response to neuronal hyperexcitability. The upstream genomic fragment of Gryllus egr-B contains potential binding sites for transcription factors regulated by various intracellular signaling pathways, as well as core promoter elements conserved across insect/crustacean egr-B homologs. Using the upstream genomic fragment of Gryllus egr-B, we established an IEG promoter-driven transgenic reporter system in the cricket. In the brain of transgenic crickets, the reporter gene (a nuclear-targeted destabilized EYFP) was induced in response to neuronal hyperexcitability. Inducible expression of reporter protein was detected in almost all neurons after neuronal hyperexcitability. Using our novel reporter system, we successfully detected neuronal activation evoked by feeding in the cricket brain. Our IEG promoter-driven activity reporting system allows us to visualize behaviorally relevant neural circuits at cellular resolution in the cricket brain.
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31
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Immediate early gene expression related to learning and retention of a visual discrimination task in bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium griseum). Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:3975-4003. [PMID: 30109492 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1728-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Using the expression of the immediate early gene (IEG) egr-1 as a neuronal activity marker, brain regions potentially involved in learning and long-term memory functions in the grey bamboo shark were assessed with respect to selected visual discrimination abilities. Immunocytochemistry revealed a significant up-regulation of egr-1 expression levels in a small region of the telencephalon of all trained sharks (i.e., 'early' and 'late learners', 'recallers') when compared to three control groups (i.e., 'controls', 'undisturbed swimmers', 'constant movers'). There was also a well-defined difference in egr-1 expression patterns between the three control groups. Additionally, some staining was observed in diencephalic and mesencephalic sections; however, staining here was weak and occurred only irregularly within and between groups. Therefore, it could have either resulted from unintentional cognitive or non-cognitive inducements (i.e., relating to the mental processes of perception, learning, memory, and judgment, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes) rather than being a training effect. Present findings emphasize a relationship between the training conditions and the corresponding egr-1 expression levels found in the telencephalon of Chiloscyllium griseum. Results suggest important similarities in the neuronal plasticity and activity-dependent IEG expression of the elasmobranch brain with other vertebrate groups. The presence of the egr-1 gene seems to be evolutionarily conserved and may therefore be particularly useful for identifying functional neural responses within this group.
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32
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Barbieri E, Trizzino M, Welsh SA, Owens TA, Calabretta B, Carroll M, Sarma K, Gardini A. Targeted Enhancer Activation by a Subunit of the Integrator Complex. Mol Cell 2018; 71:103-116.e7. [PMID: 30008316 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The control of cell fate is an epigenetic process initiated by transcription factors (TFs) that recognize DNA motifs and recruit activator complexes and transcriptional machineries to chromatin. Lineage specificity is thought to be provided solely by TF-motif pairing, while the recruited activators are passive. Here, we show that INTS13, a subunit of the Integrator complex, operates as monocytic/macrophagic differentiation factor. Integrator is a general activator of transcription at coding genes and is required for eRNA maturation. Here, we show that INTS13 functions as an independent sub-module and targets enhancers through Early Growth Response (EGR1/2) TFs and their co-factor NAB2. INTS13 binds poised monocytic enhancers eliciting chromatin looping and activation. Independent depletion of INTS13, EGR1, or NAB2 impairs monocytic differentiation of cell lines and primary human progenitors. Our data demonstrate that Integrator is not functionally homogeneous and has TF-specific regulatory potential, revealing a new enhancer regulatory axis that controls myeloid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Barbieri
- The Wistar Institute, Gene Expression and Regulation Program, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marco Trizzino
- The Wistar Institute, Gene Expression and Regulation Program, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sarah Ann Welsh
- The Wistar Institute, Gene Expression and Regulation Program, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tori Alexandra Owens
- The Wistar Institute, Gene Expression and Regulation Program, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bruno Calabretta
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson Medical School, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Martin Carroll
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kavitha Sarma
- The Wistar Institute, Gene Expression and Regulation Program, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alessandro Gardini
- The Wistar Institute, Gene Expression and Regulation Program, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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A protein activity assay to measure global transcription factor activity reveals determinants of chromatin accessibility. Nat Biotechnol 2018; 36:521-529. [DOI: 10.1038/nbt.4138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Sugiaman-Trapman D, Vitezic M, Jouhilahti EM, Mathelier A, Lauter G, Misra S, Daub CO, Kere J, Swoboda P. Characterization of the human RFX transcription factor family by regulatory and target gene analysis. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:181. [PMID: 29510665 PMCID: PMC5838959 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evolutionarily conserved RFX transcription factors (TFs) regulate their target genes through a DNA sequence motif called the X-box. Thereby they regulate cellular specialization and terminal differentiation. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of all the eight human RFX genes (RFX1-8), their spatial and temporal expression profiles, potential upstream regulators and target genes. RESULTS We extracted all known human RFX1-8 gene expression profiles from the FANTOM5 database derived from transcription start site (TSS) activity as captured by Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) technology. RFX genes are broadly (RFX1-3, RFX5, RFX7) and specifically (RFX4, RFX6) expressed in different cell types, with high expression in four organ systems: immune system, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system and nervous system. Tissue type specific expression profiles link defined RFX family members with the target gene batteries they regulate. We experimentally confirmed novel TSS locations and characterized the previously undescribed RFX8 to be lowly expressed. RFX tissue and cell type specificity arises mainly from differences in TSS architecture. RFX transcript isoforms lacking a DNA binding domain (DBD) open up new possibilities for combinatorial target gene regulation. Our results favor a new grouping of the RFX family based on protein domain composition. We uncovered and experimentally confirmed the TFs SP2 and ESR1 as upstream regulators of specific RFX genes. Using TF binding profiles from the JASPAR database, we determined relevant patterns of X-box motif positioning with respect to gene TSS locations of human RFX target genes. CONCLUSIONS The wealth of data we provide will serve as the basis for precisely determining the roles RFX TFs play in human development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morana Vitezic
- Department of Biology, Bioinformatics Centre, Section for Computational and RNA Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eeva-Mari Jouhilahti
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anthony Mathelier
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL partnership, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gilbert Lauter
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Sougat Misra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Carsten O Daub
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juha Kere
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics and Molecular Neurology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Peter Swoboda
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
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Pfaffenseller B, Kapczinski F, Gallitano AL, Klamt F. EGR3 Immediate Early Gene and the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Bipolar Disorder. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:15. [PMID: 29459824 PMCID: PMC5807664 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric illness with a consistent genetic influence, involving complex interactions between numerous genes and environmental factors. Immediate early genes (IEGs) are activated in the brain in response to environmental stimuli, such as stress. The potential to translate environmental stimuli into long-term changes in brain has led to increased interest in a potential role for these genes influencing risk for psychiatric disorders. Our recent finding using network-based approach has shown that the regulatory unit of early growth response gene 3 (EGR3) of IEGs family was robustly repressed in postmortem prefrontal cortex of BD patients. As a central transcription factor, EGR3 regulates an array of target genes that mediate critical neurobiological processes such as synaptic plasticity, memory and cognition. Considering that EGR3 expression is induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that has been consistently related to BD pathophysiology, we suggest a link between BDNF and EGR3 and their potential role in BD. A growing body of data from our group and others has shown that peripheral BDNF levels are reduced during mood episodes and also with illness progression. In this same vein, BDNF has been proposed as an important growth factor in the impaired cellular resilience related to BD. Taken together with the fact that EGR3 regulates the expression of the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR and may also indirectly induce BDNF expression, here we propose a feed-forward gene regulatory network involving EGR3 and BDNF and its potential role in BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Pfaffenseller
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Flavio Kapczinski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Amelia L Gallitano
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Fábio Klamt
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Snow WM, Cadonic C, Cortes-Perez C, Roy Chowdhury SK, Djordjevic J, Thomson E, Bernstein MJ, Suh M, Fernyhough P, Albensi BC. Chronic dietary creatine enhances hippocampal-dependent spatial memory, bioenergetics, and levels of plasticity-related proteins associated with NF-κB. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:54-66. [PMID: 29339557 PMCID: PMC5772392 DOI: 10.1101/lm.046284.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The brain has a high demand for energy, of which creatine (Cr) is an important regulator. Studies document neurocognitive benefits of oral Cr in mammals, yet little is known regarding their physiological basis. This study investigated the effects of Cr supplementation (3%, w/w) on hippocampal function in male C57BL/6 mice, including spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze and oxygen consumption rates from isolated mitochondria in real time. Levels of transcription factors and related proteins (CREB, Egr1, and IκB to indicate NF-κB activity), proteins implicated in cognition (CaMKII, PSD-95, and Egr2), and mitochondrial proteins (electron transport chain Complex I, mitochondrial fission protein Drp1) were probed with Western blotting. Dietary Cr decreased escape latency/time to locate the platform (P < 0.05) and increased the time spent in the target quadrant (P < 0.01) in the Morris water maze. This was accompanied by increased coupled respiration (P < 0.05) in isolated hippocampal mitochondria. Protein levels of CaMKII, PSD-95, and Complex 1 were increased in Cr-fed mice, whereas IκB was decreased. These data demonstrate that dietary supplementation with Cr can improve learning, memory, and mitochondrial function and have important implications for the treatment of diseases affecting memory and energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda M Snow
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Chris Cadonic
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Claudia Cortes-Perez
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Subir K Roy Chowdhury
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Jelena Djordjevic
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Ella Thomson
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Michael J Bernstein
- Department of Psychological and Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University Abington, Abington, Pennsylvania 19001, USA
| | - Miyoung Suh
- Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Paul Fernyhough
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Benedict C Albensi
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0T6, Canada
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Gassó P, Mas S, Rodríguez N, Boloc D, García-Cerro S, Bernardo M, Lafuente A, Parellada E. Microarray gene-expression study in fibroblast and lymphoblastoid cell lines from antipsychotic-naïve first-episode schizophrenia patients. J Psychiatr Res 2017; 95:91-101. [PMID: 28822801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic psychiatric disorder whose onset of symptoms occurs in late adolescence and early adulthood. The etiology is complex and involves important gene-environment interactions. Microarray gene-expression studies on SZ have identified alterations in several biological processes. The heterogeneity in the results can be attributed to the use of different sample types and other important confounding factors including age, illness chronicity and antipsychotic exposure. The aim of the present microarray study was to analyze, for the first time to our knowledge, differences in gene expression profiles in 18 fibroblast (FCLs) and 14 lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from antipsychotic-naïve first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and healthy controls. We used an analytical approach based on protein-protein interaction network construction and functional annotation analysis to identify the biological processes that are altered in SZ. Significant differences in the expression of 32 genes were found when LCLs were assessed. The network and gene set enrichment approach revealed the involvement of similar biological processes in FCLs and LCLs, including apoptosis and related biological terms such as cell cycle, autophagy, cytoskeleton organization and response to stress and stimulus. Metabolism and other processes, including signal transduction, kinase activity and phosphorylation, were also identified. These results were replicated in two independent cohorts using the same analytical approach. This provides more evidence for altered apoptotic processes in antipsychotic-naïve FES patients and other important biological functions such as cytoskeleton organization and metabolism. The convergent results obtained in both peripheral cell models support their usefulness for transcriptome studies on SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gassó
- Dept. of Basic Clinical Practice, University of Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Sergi Mas
- Dept. of Basic Clinical Practice, University of Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | | | - Daniel Boloc
- Dept. of Basic Clinical Practice, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Miquel Bernardo
- Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain; Dept. of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Amalia Lafuente
- Dept. of Basic Clinical Practice, University of Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Eduard Parellada
- Dept. of Basic Clinical Practice, University of Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Clínic Schizophrenia Unit (BCSU), Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
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Erhardt S, Pocivavsek A, Repici M, Liu XC, Imbeault S, Maddison DC, Thomas MAR, Smalley JL, Larsson MK, Muchowski PJ, Giorgini F, Schwarcz R. Adaptive and Behavioral Changes in Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Knockout Mice: Relevance to Psychotic Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 82:756-765. [PMID: 28187857 PMCID: PMC5812460 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase converts kynurenine to 3-hydroxykynurenine, and its inhibition shunts the kynurenine pathway-which is implicated as dysfunctional in various psychiatric disorders-toward enhanced synthesis of kynurenic acid, an antagonist of both α7 nicotinic acetylcholine and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Possibly as a result of reduced kynurenine 3-monooxygenase activity, elevated central nervous system levels of kynurenic acid have been found in patients with psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. METHODS In the present study, we investigated adaptive-and possibly regulatory-changes in mice with a targeted deletion of Kmo (Kmo-/-) and characterized the kynurenine 3-monooxygenase-deficient mice using six behavioral assays relevant for the study of schizophrenia. RESULTS Genome-wide differential gene expression analyses in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of these mice identified a network of schizophrenia- and psychosis-related genes, with more pronounced alterations in cerebellar tissue. Kynurenic acid levels were also increased in these brain regions in Kmo-/- mice, with significantly higher levels in the cerebellum than in the cerebrum. Kmo-/- mice exhibited impairments in contextual memory and spent less time than did controls interacting with an unfamiliar mouse in a social interaction paradigm. The mutant animals displayed increased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and in a light/dark box. After a D-amphetamine challenge (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), Kmo-/- mice showed potentiated horizontal activity in the open field paradigm. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results demonstrate that the elimination of Kmo in mice is associated with multiple gene and functional alterations that appear to duplicate aspects of the psychopathology of several neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Erhardt
- Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ana Pocivavsek
- Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mariaelena Repici
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Xi-Cong Liu
- Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sophie Imbeault
- Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel C Maddison
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Marian AR Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua L Smalley
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Markus K Larsson
- Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Flaviano Giorgini
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Robert Schwarcz
- Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Conte C, Herdegen S, Kamal S, Patel J, Patel U, Perez L, Rivota M, Calin-Jageman RJ, Calin-Jageman IE. Transcriptional correlates of memory maintenance following long-term sensitization of Aplysia californica. Learn Mem 2017; 24:502-515. [PMID: 28916625 PMCID: PMC5602346 DOI: 10.1101/lm.045450.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We characterized the transcriptional response accompanying maintenance of long-term sensitization (LTS) memory in the pleural ganglia of Aplysia californica using microarray (N = 8) and qPCR (N = 11 additional samples). We found that 24 h after memory induction there is strong regulation of 1198 transcripts (748 up and 450 down) in a pattern that is almost completely distinct from what is observed during memory encoding (1 h after training). There is widespread up-regulation of transcripts related to all levels of protein production, from transcription (e.g., subunits of transcription initiation factors) to translation (e.g., subunits of eIF1, eIF2, eIF3, eIF4, eIF5, and eIF2B) to activation of components of the unfolded protein response (e.g., CREB3/Luman, BiP, AATF). In addition, there are widespread changes in transcripts related to cytoskeleton function, synaptic targeting, synaptic function, neurotransmitter regulation, and neuronal signaling. Many of the transcripts identified have previously been linked to memory and plasticity (e.g., Egr, menin, TOB1, IGF2 mRNA binding protein 1/ZBP-1), though the majority are novel and/or uncharacterized. Interestingly, there is regulation that could contribute to metaplasticity potentially opposing or even eroding LTS memory (down-regulation of adenylate cyclase and a putative serotonin receptor, up-regulation of FMRFa and a FMRFa receptor). This study reveals that maintenance of a "simple" nonassociative memory is accompanied by an astonishingly complex transcriptional response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Conte
- Neuroscience Program, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA
| | - Samantha Herdegen
- Neuroscience Program, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA
| | - Saman Kamal
- Neuroscience Program, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA
| | - Jency Patel
- Neuroscience Program, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA
| | - Ushma Patel
- Neuroscience Program, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA
| | - Leticia Perez
- Neuroscience Program, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA
| | - Marissa Rivota
- Neuroscience Program, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois 60305, USA
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Cybulska-Klosowicz A, Laczkowska M, Zakrzewska R, Kaliszewska A. Attentional deficits and altered neuronal activation in medial prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices in mice with reduced dopamine transporter levels. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 85:82-92. [PMID: 28923595 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The executive control function of attention is regulated by the dopaminergic (DA) system. Dopamine transporter (DAT) likely plays a role in controlling the influence of DA on cognitive processes. We examined the effects of DAT depletion on cognitive processes related to attention. Mice with the DAT gene genetically deleted (DAT+/- heterozygotes) were compared to wild type (WT) mice on the Attentional Set-Shifting Task (ASST). Changes in neuronal activity during the ASST were shown with early growth response genes 1 and 2 (egr-1 and egr-2) immunohistochemistry in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Heterozygotes were impaired in tasks that tax reversal learning, attentional-set formation and set-shifting. Densities of egr-2 labeled cells in the mPFC were lower in mutant mice when compared with wild-types in intradimensional shift of attention (IDS), extradimensional shift of attention and extradimensional shift of attention-reversal phases of the ASST task, and in PPC in the IDS phase of the task. The results demonstrate impairments of the areas associated with attentional functions in DAT+/- mice and show that an imbalance of the dopaminergic system has an impact on the complex attention-related executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Cybulska-Klosowicz
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
| | | | - Renata Zakrzewska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kaliszewska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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41
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Early growth response 2 and Egr3 are unique regulators in immune system. Cent Eur J Immunol 2017; 42:205-209. [PMID: 28860938 PMCID: PMC5573894 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2017.69363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system is evolved to defend the body against pathogens and is composed of thousands of complicated and intertwined pathways, which are highly controlled by processes such as transcription and repression of cellular genes. Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and a break down in self-tolerance occurs. This lead to the inability to distinguish between self and non-self and cause attacks on host tissues, a condition also known as autoimmunity, which can result in chronic debilitating diseases. Early growth response genes are family of transcription factors comprising of four members, Egr1, Egr2, Egr3 and Egr4. All of which contain three cyc2-His2 zinc fingers. Initially, Egr2 function was identified in the regulation of peripheral nerve myelination, hindbrain segmentation. Egr3, on the other hand, is highly expressed in muscle spindle development. Egr2 and Egr3 are induced due to the antigen stimulation and this signaling is implemented through the B and T cell receptors in the adaptive immunity. T cell receptor signaling plays a key role in Egr 2 and 3 expressions via their interaction with NFAT molecules. Egr 2 and 3 play a crucial role in regulation of the immune system and their involvement in B and T cell activation, anergy induction and preventing the autoimmune disease has been investigated. The deficiency of these transcription factors has been associated to deficient Cbl-b expression, a resistant to anergy phenotype, and expression of effector and activated T cells.
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López-López D, Gómez-Nieto R, Herrero-Turrión MJ, García-Cairasco N, Sánchez-Benito D, Ludeña MD, López DE. Overexpression of the immediate-early genes Egr1, Egr2, and Egr3 in two strains of rodents susceptible to audiogenic seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2017; 71:226-237. [PMID: 26775236 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Genetic animal models of epilepsy are an important tool for further understanding the basic cellular mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis and for developing novel antiepileptic drugs. We conducted a comparative study of gene expression in the inferior colliculus, a nucleus that triggers audiogenic seizures, using two animal models, the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) and the genetic audiogenic seizure hamster (GASH:Sal). For this purpose, both models were exposed to high intensity auditory stimulation, and 60min later, the inferior colliculi were collected. As controls, intact Wistar rats and Syrian hamsters were subjected to stimulation and tissue preparation protocols identical to those performed on the experimental animals. Ribonucleic acid was isolated, and microarray analysis comparing the stimulated Wistar and WAR rats showed that the genomic profile of these animals displayed significant (fold change, |FC|≥2.0 and p<0.05) upregulation of 38 genes and downregulation of 47 genes. Comparison of gene expression profiles between stimulated control hamsters and stimulated GASH:Sal revealed the upregulation of 10 genes and the downregulation of 5 genes. Among the common genes that were altered in both models, we identified the zinc finger immediate-early growth response gene Egr3. The Egr3 protein is a transcription factor that is induced by distinct stress-elicited factors. Based on immunohistochemistry, this protein was expressed in the cochlear nucleus complex, the inferior colliculus, and the hippocampus of both animal models as well as in lymphoma tumors of the GASH:Sal. Our results support that the overexpression of the Egr3 gene in both models might contribute to neuronal viability and development of lymphoma in response to stress associated with audiogenic seizures. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Genetic and Reflex Epilepsies, Audiogenic Seizures and Strains: From Experimental Models to the Clinic".
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Affiliation(s)
- D López-López
- Institute for Neuroscience of Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Salamanca Institute for Biomedical Research (IBSAL), Spain
| | - R Gómez-Nieto
- Institute for Neuroscience of Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Salamanca Institute for Biomedical Research (IBSAL), Spain; Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M J Herrero-Turrión
- Institute for Neuroscience of Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - N García-Cairasco
- Physiology Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - D Sánchez-Benito
- Institute for Neuroscience of Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Salamanca Institute for Biomedical Research (IBSAL), Spain
| | - M D Ludeña
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - D E López
- Institute for Neuroscience of Castilla y León (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Salamanca Institute for Biomedical Research (IBSAL), Spain; Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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Alkaline pH induces IRR-mediated phosphorylation of IRS-1 and actin cytoskeleton remodeling in a pancreatic beta cell line. Biochimie 2017; 138:62-69. [PMID: 28438671 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Secretion of mildly alkaline (pH 8.0-8.5) juice to intestines is one of the key functions of the pancreas. Recent reports indicate that the pancreatic duct system containing the alkaline juice may adjoin the endocrine cells of pancreatic islets. We have previously identified the insulin receptor-related receptor (IRR) that is expressed in islets as a sensor of mildly alkaline extracellular media. In this study, we show that those islet cells that are in contact with the excretory ducts are also IRR-expressing cells. We further analyzed the effects of alkaline media on pancreatic beta cell line MIN6. Activation of endogenous IRR but not of the insulin receptor was detected that could be inhibited with linsitinib. The IRR autophosphorylation correlated with pH-dependent linsitinib-sensitive activation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), the primary adaptor in the insulin signaling pathway. However, in contrast with insulin stimulation, no protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) phosphorylation was detected as a result of alkali treatment. We observed overexpression of several early response genes (EGR2, IER2, FOSB, EGR1 and NPAS4) upon alkali treatment of MIN6 cells but those were IRR-independent. The alkaline medium but not insulin also triggered actin cytoskeleton remodeling that was blocked by pre-incubation with linsitinib. We propose that the activation of IRR by alkali might be part of a local loop of signaling between the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreas where alkalinization of the juice facilitate insulin release that increases the volume of secreted juice to control its pH and bicabonate content.
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Duclot F, Kabbaj M. The Role of Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1) in Brain Plasticity and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:35. [PMID: 28321184 PMCID: PMC5337695 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now clearly established that complex interactions between genes and environment are involved in multiple aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders, from determining an individual's vulnerability to onset, to influencing its response to therapeutic intervention. In this perspective, it appears crucial to better understand how the organism reacts to environmental stimuli and provide a coordinated and adapted response. In the central nervous system, neuronal plasticity and neurotransmission are among the major processes integrating such complex interactions between genes and environmental stimuli. In particular, immediate early genes (IEGs) are critical components of these interactions as they provide the molecular framework for a rapid and dynamic response to neuronal activity while opening the possibility for a lasting and sustained adaptation through regulation of the expression of a wide range of genes. As a result, IEGs have been tightly associated with neuronal activity as well as a variety of higher order processes within the central nervous system such as learning, memory and sensitivity to reward. The immediate early gene and transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1) has thus been revealed as a major mediator and regulator of synaptic plasticity and neuronal activity in both physiological and pathological conditions. In this review article, we will focus on the role of EGR1 in the central nervous system. First, we will summarize the different factors influencing its activity. Then, we will analyze the amount of data, including genome-wide, that has emerged in the recent years describing the wide variety of genes, pathways and biological functions regulated directly or indirectly by EGR1. We will thus be able to gain better insights into the mechanisms underlying EGR1's functions in physiological neuronal activity. Finally, we will discuss and illustrate the role of EGR1 in pathological states with a particular interest in cognitive functions and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Duclot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Mohamed Kabbaj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL, USA
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Jin H, Won M, Shin E, Kim HM, Lee K, Bae J. EGR2 is a gonadotropin-induced survival factor that controls the expression of IER3 in ovarian granulosa cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 482:877-882. [PMID: 27890615 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.11.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary gonadotropins are key hormones that orchestrate the growth and development of ovarian follicles. However, limited information is available on intra-ovarian factors that mediate the actions of gonadotropins. In this study, we identified that the early growth response 2 gene (EGR2) is a gonadotropin-inducible gene in granulosa cells of rats and humans. Analysis of consensus EGR-binding elements (EBEs) showed that the immediate early response 3 gene (IER3) is a novel transcriptional target gene of EGR2 as confirmed by the luciferase assay, electrophoretic mobility-shift assay (EMSA), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and western blot analysis. Overexpression of EGR2 promoted survival of KGN human granulosa-derived cells in which IER3 acts as a mediator; knockdown of EGR2 induced death in KGN cells. Additionally, EGR2 was found to regulate the expression of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL-1), which belongs to the BCL-2 family of proteins regulating cell survival. Thus, this study identified a novel signaling axis, comprised of gonadotropins-EGR2-IER3, which is important for the survival of granulosa cells during folliculogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyong Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, South Korea
| | - Miae Won
- Department of Pharmacy, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, South Korea
| | - Eunkyoung Shin
- School of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, South Korea
| | - Hong-Man Kim
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, South Korea
| | - Kangseok Lee
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, South Korea
| | - Jeehyeon Bae
- School of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, South Korea.
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Snow WM, Albensi BC. Neuronal Gene Targets of NF-κB and Their Dysregulation in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:118. [PMID: 27881951 PMCID: PMC5101203 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although, better known for its role in inflammation, the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) has more recently been implicated in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. This has been, in part, to the discovery of its localization not just in glia, cells that are integral to mediating the inflammatory process in the brain, but also neurons. Several effectors of neuronal NF-κB have been identified, including calcium, inflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor alpha), and the induction of experimental paradigms thought to reflect learning and memory at the cellular level (i.e., long-term potentiation). NF-κB is also activated after learning and memory formation in vivo. In turn, activation of NF-κB can elicit either suppression or activation of other genes. Studies are only beginning to elucidate the multitude of neuronal gene targets of NF-κB in the normal brain, but research to date has confirmed targets involved in a wide array of cellular processes, including cell signaling and growth, neurotransmission, redox signaling, and gene regulation. Further, several lines of research confirm dysregulation of NF-κB in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a disorder characterized clinically by a profound deficit in the ability to form new memories. AD-related neuropathology includes the characteristic amyloid beta plaque formation and neurofibrillary tangles. Although, such neuropathological findings have been hypothesized to contribute to memory deficits in AD, research has identified perturbations at the cellular and synaptic level that occur even prior to more gross pathologies, including transcriptional dysregulation. Indeed, synaptic disturbances appear to be a significant correlate of cognitive deficits in AD. Given the more recently identified role for NF-κB in memory and synaptic transmission in the normal brain, the expansive network of gene targets of NF-κB, and its dysregulation in AD, a thorough understanding of NF-κB-related signaling in AD is warranted and may have important implications for uncovering treatments for the disease. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of our current understanding of the gene targets of this transcription factor in neurons in the intact brain and provide an overview of studies investigating NF-κB signaling, including its downstream targets, in the AD brain as a means of uncovering the basic physiological mechanisms by which memory becomes fragile in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda M Snow
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital ResearchWinnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Benedict C Albensi
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital ResearchWinnipeg, MB, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB, Canada
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John J, Bhatia T, Kukshal P, Chandna P, Nimgaonkar VL, Deshpande SN, Thelma BK. Association study of MiRSNPs with schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia and cognition. Schizophr Res 2016; 174:29-34. [PMID: 27106592 PMCID: PMC5487370 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) bind to 3'UTRs of genes and negatively regulate their expression. With ~50% of miRNAs expressing in the brain, they play an important role in neuronal development, plasticity, cognition and neurological disorders. Conserved miRNA targets are present in >60% genes in humans and are under evolutionary pressure to maintain pairing with miRNA. However, such binding may be affected by genetic variant(s) in the target sites (MiRSNPs), thereby altering gene expression. Differential expression of a large number of genes in postmortem brains of schizophrenia (SZ) patients compared to controls has been documented. Thus studying the role of MiRSNPs which are underinvestigated in SZ becomes attractive. We systematically selected 35 MiRSNPs with predicted functional relevance in 3'UTRs of genes shown previously to be associated with SZ, genotyped and tested their association with disease, using independent discovery and replication samples (total n=1017 cases; n=1073 controls). We also explored genetic associations with two sets of quantitative traits, namely tardive dyskinesia (TD) and cognitive functions disrupted in SZ in subsets of the study cohort. In the primary analysis, a significant association of MiRSNP rs7430 at PPP3CC was observed with SZ in the discovery and the replication samples [discovery: P=0.01; OR (95% CI) 1.24 (1.04-1.48); replication: P=0.03; OR (95% CI) 1.20 (1.02-1.43)]. In the exploratory analyses, five SNPs were nominally associated with TD (P values 0.04-0.004). Separately, 12 SNPs were associated with one or more of the eight cognitive domains (P values 0.05-0.003). These associations, particularly the SNP at PPP3CC merit further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibin John
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110 021, India
| | - Triptish Bhatia
- Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER-Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi 110 001, India
| | - Prachi Kukshal
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110 021, India
| | - Puneet Chandna
- AceProbe Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India
| | - Vishwajit L Nimgaonkar
- Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Smita N Deshpande
- Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER-Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi 110 001, India
| | - B K Thelma
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110 021, India.
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Assessment of fight outcome is needed to activate socially driven transcriptional changes in the zebrafish brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E654-61. [PMID: 26787876 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1514292113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Group living animals must be able to express different behavior profiles depending on their social status. Therefore, the same genotype may translate into different behavioral phenotypes through socially driven differential gene expression. However, how social information is translated into a neurogenomic response and what are the specific cues in a social interaction that signal a change in social status are questions that have remained unanswered. Here, we show for the first time, to our knowledge, that the switch between status-specific neurogenomic states relies on the assessment of fight outcome rather than just on self- or opponent-only assessment of fighting ability. For this purpose, we manipulated the perception of fight outcome in male zebrafish and measured its impact on the brain transcriptome using a zebrafish whole genome gene chip. Males fought either a real opponent, and a winner and a loser were identified, or their own image on a mirror, in which case, despite expressing aggressive behavior, males did not experience either a victory or a defeat. Massive changes in the brain transcriptome were observed in real opponent fighters, with losers displaying both a higher number of differentially expressed genes and of coexpressed gene modules than winners. In contrast, mirror fighters expressed a neurogenomic state similar to that of noninteracting fish. The genes that responded to fight outcome included immediate early genes and genes involved in neuroplasticity and epigenetic modifications. These results indicate that, even in cognitively simple organisms such as zebrafish, neurogenomic responses underlying changes in social status rely on mutual assessment of fighting ability.
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Rajput C, Tauseef M, Farazuddin M, Yazbeck P, Amin MR, Avin Br V, Sharma T, Mehta D. MicroRNA-150 Suppression of Angiopoetin-2 Generation and Signaling Is Crucial for Resolving Vascular Injury. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2016; 36:380-8. [PMID: 26743170 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.306997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increased vascular permeability is a hallmark of sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Angiopoietin (Ang2) induces vascular leak, and excess Ang2 generation is associated with patient mortality from these diseases. However, mechanisms dampening Ang2 generation during injury remain unclear. Interestingly, microRNA (miR)-150 levels were decreased in septic patients. miR regulate signaling networks by silencing mRNAs containing complementary sequences. Thus, we hypothesized that miR-150 suppresses Ang2 generation and thereby resolves vascular injury. APPROACH AND RESULTS Wild-type or miR-150(-/-) mice or endothelial cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide or sepsis, and Ang2 levels, adherens junction reannealing, endothelial barrier function, and mortality were determined. Although Ang2 transiently increased during lipopolysaccharide-induced injury in wild-type endothelial cells and lungs, miR-150 expression was elevated only during recovery from injury. Deletion of miR-150 caused a persistent increase in Ang2 levels and impaired adherens junctions reannealing after injury, resulting thereby in an irreversible increase in vascular permeability. Also, miR-150(-/-) mice died rapidly after sepsis. Rescuing miR-150 expression in endothelial cells prevented Ang2 generation, thereby restoring vascular barrier function in miR-150(-/-) mice. miR-150 terminated Ang2 generation by targeting the transcription factor, early growth response 2. Thus, early growth response 2 or Ang2 depletion in miR-150(-/-) endothelial cells restored junctional reannealing and reinstated barrier function. Importantly, upregulating miR-150 expression by injecting a chemically synthesized miR-150 mimic into wild-type mice vasculature decreased early growth response 2 and Ang2 levels and hence mortality from sepsis. CONCLUSIONS miR-150 is a novel suppressor of Ang2 generation with a key role in resolving vascular injury and reducing mortality resulting from sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charu Rajput
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Mohammad Tauseef
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Mohammad Farazuddin
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Pascal Yazbeck
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Md-Ruhul Amin
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Vijay Avin Br
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Tiffany Sharma
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Dolly Mehta
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago.
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Xu HG, Liu L, Gao S, Jin R, Ren W, Zhou GP. Cloning and characterizing of the murine IRF-3 gene promoter region. Immunol Res 2016; 64:969-77. [DOI: 10.1007/s12026-015-8780-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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