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Strekalova T, Moskvin O, Jain AY, Gorbunov N, Gorlova A, Sadovnik D, Umriukhin A, Cespuglio R, Yu WS, Tse ACK, Kalueff AV, Lesch KP, Lim LW. Molecular signature of excessive female aggression: study of stressed mice with genetic inactivation of neuronal serotonin synthesis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:1113-1132. [PMID: 37542675 PMCID: PMC10460733 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02677-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Aggression is a complex social behavior, critically involving brain serotonin (5-HT) function. The neurobiology of female aggression remains elusive, while the incidence of its manifestations has been increasing. Yet, animal models of female aggression are scarce. We previously proposed a paradigm of female aggression in the context of gene x environment interaction where mice with partial genetic inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2+/- mice), a key enzyme of neuronal 5-HT synthesis, are subjected to predation stress resulting in pathological aggression. Using deep sequencing and the EBSeq method, we studied the transcriptomic signature of excessive aggression in the prefrontal cortex of female Tph2+/- mice subjected to rat exposure stress and food deprivation. Challenged mutants, but not other groups, displayed marked aggressive behaviors. We found 26 genes with altered expression in the opposite direction between stressed groups of both Tph2 genotypes. We identified several molecular markers, including Dgkh, Arfgef3, Kcnh7, Grin2a, Tenm1 and Epha6, implicated in neurodevelopmental deficits and psychiatric conditions featuring impaired cognition and emotional dysregulation. Moreover, while 17 regulons, including several relevant to neural plasticity and function, were significantly altered in stressed mutants, no alteration in regulons was detected in stressed wildtype mice. An interplay of the uncovered pathways likely mediates partial Tph2 inactivation in interaction with severe stress experience, thus resulting in excessive female aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Strekalova
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Oleg Moskvin
- Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Singapore Medical School, BluMaiden Biosciences, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aayushi Y Jain
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nikita Gorbunov
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Gorlova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria Sadovnik
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei Umriukhin
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Raymond Cespuglio
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Neuroscience Research Center of Lyon, Beliv Plateau, Claude-Bernard Lyon-1 University, Bron, France
| | - Wing Shan Yu
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anna Chung Kwan Tse
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Brown J, Li Z, Wang X, Kim YJ, Wang YC, Zuo Y, Hong W, Wang P, Li B, Yang L. Nanoformulation improves antitumor efficacy of MAOI immune checkpoint blockade therapy without causing aggression-related side effects. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:970324. [PMID: 36120311 PMCID: PMC9475110 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.970324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MAOIs, a well-established class of antidepressant that operate through the inhibition of monoamine oxidase to increase available serotonin, have recently been identified as a surprisingly effective candidate for the circumvention of tumor-induced immune suppression due to their abilities to enhance antitumor T cell activity through autocrine serotonin signaling and depolarize alternatively activated tumor-associated macrophages through a reduction in reactive oxygen species production. However, this impressive class of antidepressants-turned-cancer-drugs can induce aggressive behavioral side effects when administered in immunotherapeutic doses. In this study, we investigated the possibility of avoiding these neurological side effects while simultaneously improving antitumor activity by establishing crosslinked multilamellar liposomal vesicles (cMLVs) containing the MAOI phenelzine (PLZ). Our results showed that cMLV-PLZ treatment increases antitumor efficacy in a B16-OVA mouse melanoma model compared to treatment with free phenelzine. We also found that nanoformulation resulted in the complete elimination of MAOI-related aggression. These findings suggest a promising direction for the future of MAOIs repurposed for cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Brown
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yu Jeong Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yu-Chen Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yanning Zuo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Weizhe Hong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Bo Li, ; Lili Yang,
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Bo Li, ; Lili Yang,
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Xu Q, Zhao J, Guo Y, Liu M, Schinckel AP, Zhou B. A Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Promoter of Porcine ARHGAP24 Gene Regulates Aggressive Behavior of Weaned Pigs After Mixing by Affecting the Binding of Transcription Factor p53. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:839583. [PMID: 35433684 PMCID: PMC9010951 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.839583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigs are important biomedical model animals for the study of human neurological diseases. Similar to human aggressive behavior in children and adolescents, weaned pigs also show more aggressive behavior after mixing, which has negative effects on animal welfare and growth performance. The identification of functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to the aggressive behavior of pigs would provide valuable molecular markers of the aggressive behavioral trait for genetic improvement program. The Rho GTPase–activating protein 24 (ARHGAP24) gene plays an important role in regulating the process of axon guidance, which may impact the aggressive behavior of pigs. By resequencing the entire coding region, partially adjacent introns and the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions, six and four SNPs were identified in the 5′ flanking region and 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the porcine ARHGAP24 gene, respectively. Association analyses revealed that nine SNPs were significantly associated with aggressive behavioral traits (p = < 1.00 × 10–4–4.51 × 10–2), and their haplotypes were significantly associated with aggressive behavior (p = < 1.00 × 10–4–2.99 × 10–2). The core promoter region of the ARHGAP24 gene has been identified between −670 and −1,113 bp. Furthermore, the luciferase activity of allele A of rs335052970 was significantly less than that of allele G, suggesting that the transcriptional activity of the ARHGAP24 gene was inhibited by allele A of rs335052970. It was identified that the transcription factor p53 bound to the transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) containing allele A of rs335052970. In porcine primary neural cells, p53 binds to the target promoter region of the ARHGAP24 gene, reduces its promoter transcriptional activity, and then reduces its messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression. The results demonstrated that the ARHGAP24 gene had significant genetic effects on aggressive behavioral traits of pigs. Therefore, rs335052970 in the ARHGAP24 gene can be used as a molecular marker to select the less aggressive pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglei Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanli Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingzheng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Allan P. Schinckel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Bo Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Zhou,
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Zhao J, Gao S, Guo Y, Xu Q, Liu M, Zhang C, Cheng M, Zhao X, Schinckel AP, Zhou B. Functionally Antagonistic Transcription Factors IRF1 and IRF2 Regulate the Transcription of the Dopamine Receptor D2 Gene Associated with Aggressive Behavior of Weaned Pigs. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010135. [PMID: 35053133 PMCID: PMC8773180 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior has negative effects on animal welfare and growth performance in pigs. The dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) has a critical neuromodulator role in the dopamine signal pathway within the brain to control behavior. A functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1110730503, in the promoter region of the porcine DRD2 gene was identified, which affects aggressive behavior in pigs. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to identify the interactions between interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) and IRF2 with the DRD2 gene. The overexpression or knockdown of these two transcription factors in porcine kidney-15 (PK15) and porcine neuronal cells (PNCs) indicate that the binding of IRF1 to DRD2 promotes the transcription of the DRD2 gene, but the binding of IRF2 to the DRD2 gene inhibits its transcription. Furthermore, IRF1 and IRF2 are functionally antagonistic to each other. The downregulation of DRD2 or upregulation of IRF2 increased the apoptosis rate of porcine neuroglial cells. Taken together, we found that transcriptional factors IRF1 and IRF2 have vital roles in regulating the transcription of the DRD2 gene, and rs1110730503 (−915A/T) is a functional SNP that influences IRF2 binding to the promoter of the DRD2 gene. These findings will provide further insight towards controlling aggressive behavior in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Siyuan Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Yanli Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Qinglei Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Mingzheng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Chunlei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Meng Cheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xianle Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
| | - Allan P. Schinckel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA;
| | - Bo Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (J.Z.); (S.G.); (Y.G.); (Q.X.); (M.L.); (C.Z.); (M.C.); (X.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Cesarani A, Gaspa G, Correddu F, Dimauro C, Macciotta NPP. Unravelling the effect of environment on the genome of Sarda breed ewes using Runs of Homozygosity. J Anim Breed Genet 2022; 139:292-306. [PMID: 34984736 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Natural adaptation and artificial selection have shaped the genome of modern livestock breeds. Among SNP-based metrics that are used to detect signatures of selection at genome-wide level, runs of homozygosity (ROH) are getting increasing popularity. In this paper, ROH distribution and features of a sample of 823 Sarda breed ewes farmed at different levels of altitude are analysed to investigate the effect of the environment on the patterns of homozygosity. A total of 46,829 (33,087 unique) ROH were detected. OAR2 exhibited the largest average number of ROH per animal. The most frequent ROH (OAR27, 38.9-44.2 Mb) was shared by 327. ROH length was statistically affected (p < 0.001) by both the altitude and temperature of the place where the flock was located. The highest probability of a SNP falling in a ROH was observed for hill ewes, whereas the smallest one for mountain. A total of 457 SNP exceeded the 99th percentile of the ROH count per SNP distribution and were considered significant. These markers mapped in eight chromosomes and they clustered into 17 ROH islands, where 80 candidate genes were mapped. Results of this study highlighted differences in the ROH distribution and features among sheep farmed in flocks located at different levels of altitude, confirming the role of environmental adaptability in shaping the genome of this breed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cesarani
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Giustino Gaspa
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Alimentary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Fabio Correddu
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Corrado Dimauro
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Larzul C. How to Improve Meat Quality and Welfare in Entire Male Pigs by Genetics. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030699. [PMID: 33807677 PMCID: PMC7998615 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Successful breeding of entire male pigs needs a better understanding of factors driving meat quality and behavior traits as entire male pigs have lower meat quality, including an occasional strong defect known as boar taint, and more aggressive and sexual behavior. The review provides an update on how genetic factors affecting boar taint compounds and aggressive behavior in male pigs with emphasis on application in selection. Abstract Giving up surgical castration is desirable to avoid pain during surgery but breeding entire males raises issues on meat quality, particularly on boar taint, and aggression. It has been known for decades that boar taint is directly related to sexual development in uncastrated male pigs. The proportion of tainted carcasses depends on many factors, including genetics. The selection of lines with a low risk of developing boar taint should be considered as the most desirable solution in the medium to long term. It has been evidenced that selection against boar taint is feasible, and has been set up in a balanced way in some pig populations to counterbalance potential unfavorable effects on reproductive performances. Selection against aggressive behaviors, though theoretically feasible, faces phenotyping challenges that compromise selection in practice. In the near future, new developments in modelization, automatic recording, and genomic data will help define breeding objectives to solve entire male meat quality and welfare issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Larzul
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment INRAE, ENVT, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
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Shen C, Tong X, Chen R, Gao S, Liu X, Schinckel AP, Li Y, Xu F, Zhou B. Identifying blood-based biomarkers associated with aggression in weaned pigs after mixing. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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