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Cuautle DG, Donna S, Cieri MB, Villarreal A, Ramos AJ. Pathological remodeling of reactive astrocytes: Involvement of DNA methylation and downregulation of homeostatic genes. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38943350 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes provide metabolic support to neurons, maintain ionic and water homeostasis, and uptake and recycle neurotransmitters. After exposure to the prototypical PAMP lipopolysaccharide (LPS), reactive astrocytes increase the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, facilitating neurodegeneration. In this study, we analyzed the expression of homeostatic genes in astrocytes exposed to LPS and identified the epigenetic factors contributing to the suppression of homeostatic genes in reactive astrocytes. Primary astrocytic cultures were acutely exposed to LPS and allowed to recover for 24, 72 h, and 7 days. As expected, LPS exposure induced reactive astrogliosis and increased the expression of pro-inflammatory IL-1B and IL-6. Interestingly, the acute exposure resulted in persistent hypermethylation of astroglial DNA. Similar hypermethylation was observed in highly reactive astrocytes from the traumatic brain injury (TBI) penumbra in vivo. Hypermethylation was accompanied by decreased expression of homeostatic genes including LDHA and Scl16a1 (MCT1) both involved in the lactate shuttle to neurons; glutamine synthase (GS) responsible for glutamate processing; Kcnj10 (Kir4.1) important for K+ homeostasis, and the water channel aquaporin-4 (Aqp4). Furthermore, the master regulator of DNA methylation, MAFG-1, as well as DNA methyl transferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a were overexpressed. The downregulation of homeostatic genes correlated with increased methylation of CpG islands in their promoters, as assessed by methylation-sensitive PCR and increased DNMT3a binding to the GS promoter. Treatment with decitabine, a DNMT inhibitor, prevented the LPS- and the HMGB-1-induced downregulation of homeostatic genes. Decitabine treatment also prevented the neurotoxic effects of these astrocytes in primary cortical cultures. In summary, our findings reveal that the pathological remodeling of reactive astrocytes encompasses not only the pro-inflammatory response but, significantly, also entails a long-term suppression of homeostatic gene expression with methylation of crucial CpG islands within their promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dante Gómez Cuautle
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Molecular, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Soledad Donna
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Molecular, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Cieri
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Molecular, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Villarreal
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Molecular, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto Javier Ramos
- Laboratorio de Neuropatología Molecular, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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2
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Holt LM, Nestler EJ. Astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:409-424. [PMID: 37940687 PMCID: PMC11066772 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02716-4] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Addiction is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and remains a challenge in current neuroscience research. Drug-induced lasting changes in gene expression are mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in the brain and are thought to underlie behavioral adaptations. Emerging evidence implicates astrocytes in regulating drug-seeking behaviors and demonstrates robust transcriptional response to several substances of abuse. This review focuses on the astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Rivera AD, Normanton JR, Butt AM, Azim K. The Genomic Intersection of Oligodendrocyte Dynamics in Schizophrenia and Aging Unravels Novel Pathological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4452. [PMID: 38674040 PMCID: PMC11050044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084452] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a significant worldwide health concern, affecting over 20 million individuals and contributing to a potential reduction in life expectancy by up to 14.5 years. Despite its profound impact, the precise pathological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia continue to remain enigmatic, with previous research yielding diverse and occasionally conflicting findings. Nonetheless, one consistently observed phenomenon in brain imaging studies of schizophrenia patients is the disruption of white matter, the bundles of myelinated axons that provide connectivity and rapid signalling between brain regions. Myelin is produced by specialised glial cells known as oligodendrocytes, which have been shown to be disrupted in post-mortem analyses of schizophrenia patients. Oligodendrocytes are generated throughout life by a major population of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC), which are essential for white matter health and plasticity. Notably, a decline in a specific subpopulation of OPC has been identified as a principal factor in oligodendrocyte disruption and white matter loss in the aging brain, suggesting this may also be a factor in schizophrenia. In this review, we analysed genomic databases to pinpoint intersections between aging and schizophrenia and identify shared mechanisms of white matter disruption and cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea D. Rivera
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, Via A. Gabelli 65, 35127 Padua, Italy;
| | - John R. Normanton
- GliaGenesis Limited, Orchard Lea, Horns Lane, Oxfordshire, Witney OX29 8NH, UK; (J.R.N.); (K.A.)
| | - Arthur M. Butt
- GliaGenesis Limited, Orchard Lea, Horns Lane, Oxfordshire, Witney OX29 8NH, UK; (J.R.N.); (K.A.)
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2UP, UK
| | - Kasum Azim
- GliaGenesis Limited, Orchard Lea, Horns Lane, Oxfordshire, Witney OX29 8NH, UK; (J.R.N.); (K.A.)
- Independent Data Lab UG, Frauenmantelanger 31, 80937 Munich, Germany
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Csoka AB, El Kouhen N, Bennani S, Getachew B, Aschner M, Tizabi Y. Roles of Epigenetics and Glial Cells in Drug-Induced Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomolecules 2024; 14:437. [PMID: 38672454 PMCID: PMC11048423 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040437] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe deficits in social communication and interaction, repetitive movements, abnormal focusing on objects, or activity that can significantly affect the quality of life of the afflicted. Neuronal and glial cells have been implicated. It has a genetic component but can also be triggered by environmental factors or drugs. For example, prenatal exposure to valproic acid or acetaminophen, or ingestion of propionic acid, can increase the risk of ASD. Recently, epigenetic influences on ASD have come to the forefront of investigations on the etiology, prevention, and treatment of this disorder. Epigenetics refers to DNA modifications that alter gene expression without making any changes to the DNA sequence. Although an increasing number of pharmaceuticals and environmental chemicals are being implicated in the etiology of ASD, here, we specifically focus on the molecular influences of the abovementioned chemicals on epigenetic alterations in neuronal and glial cells and their potential connection to ASD. We conclude that a better understanding of these phenomena can lead to more effective interventions in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonei B. Csoka
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Nacer El Kouhen
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca 20100, Morocco
| | - Samia Bennani
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca 20100, Morocco
| | - Bruk Getachew
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA
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Flores CC, Pasetto NA, Wang H, Dimitrov A, Davis JF, Jiang Z, Davis CJ, Gerstner JR. Identification of sleep and circadian alternative polyadenylation sites associated with APA-linked human brain disorders. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3867797. [PMID: 38313253 PMCID: PMC10836116 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3867797/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions are comorbid features of many pathologies and can negatively influence numerous health conditions, including degenerative diseases, metabolic illnesses, cancer, and various neurological disorders. Genetic association studies linking sleep and circadian disturbances with disease susceptibility have mainly focused on changes in gene expression due to mutations, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Thus, associations between sleep and/or circadian rhythm and alternative polyadenylation (APA), particularly in the context of other health challenges, are largely undescribed. APA is a process that generates various transcript isoforms from the same gene, resulting in effects on mRNA translation, stability, localization, and subsequent function. Here, we have identified unique APAs in rat brain that exhibit time-of-day-dependent oscillations in expression as well as APAs that are altered by sleep deprivation and the subsequent recovery period. Genes affected by APA usage include Mapt/Tau, Ntrk2, Homer1A, Sin3band Sorl. Sorl1 has two APAs which cycle with a 24 h period, one additional APA cycles with a 12 h period and one more that is reduced during recovery sleep. Finally, we compared sleep- or circadian-associated APAs with recently described APA-linked brain disorder susceptibility genes and found 46 genes in common.
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Zucchini C, Serpe C, De Sanctis P, Ghezzo A, Visconti P, Posar A, Facchin F, Marini M, Abruzzo PM. TLDc Domain-Containing Genes in Autism Spectrum Disorder: New Players in the Oxidative Stress Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15802. [PMID: 37958785 PMCID: PMC10647648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115802] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence suggests that the TLDc [Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16 (TBC), lysin motif (LysM), domain catalytic] domain is a highly conserved motif present in proteins that are important players in the OS response and in neuroprotection. Human proteins sharing the TLDc domain include OXR1, TLDC1, NCOA7, TBC1D24, and C20ORF118. This study was aimed at understanding whether TLDc domain-containing mRNAs together with specific microRNAs (200b-3p and 32-5p) and long noncoding RNAs (TUG1), known to target TLDc proteins, contributed to regulate the OS response in ASD. Data showed a significant increase in the levels of OXR1 and TLDC1 mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ASD children compared to their neurotypically developing (NTD) counterparts, along with an increase in TUG1 mRNA expression levels, suggesting its possible role in the regulation of TLDc proteins. A positive correlation between the expression of some TLDc mRNAs and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) global score as well as inflammatory gene expression was found. In conclusion, our data suggest a novel biological pathway in the OS response of ASD subjects that deserves further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Zucchini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.Z.); (C.S.); (P.D.S.); (F.F.); (P.M.A.)
| | - Carmela Serpe
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.Z.); (C.S.); (P.D.S.); (F.F.); (P.M.A.)
| | - Paola De Sanctis
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.Z.); (C.S.); (P.D.S.); (F.F.); (P.M.A.)
| | - Alessandro Ghezzo
- Grioni Center-Danelli Foundation, Largo Stefano ed Angela Danelli 1, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
| | - Paola Visconti
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOSI Disturbi dello Spettro Autistico, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (P.V.); (A.P.)
| | - Annio Posar
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOSI Disturbi dello Spettro Autistico, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (P.V.); (A.P.)
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Facchin
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.Z.); (C.S.); (P.D.S.); (F.F.); (P.M.A.)
| | - Marina Marini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.Z.); (C.S.); (P.D.S.); (F.F.); (P.M.A.)
| | - Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.Z.); (C.S.); (P.D.S.); (F.F.); (P.M.A.)
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Rangon CM, Niezgoda A, Moyse E, Porges SW. Editorial: Vagus nerve-mediated drive in supporting homeostasis: optimizing global health through monitoring and stimulating vagal function. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1279258. [PMID: 37745246 PMCID: PMC10513081 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1279258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claire Marie Rangon
- Child Neurologist and Pain Specialist, INWE’CARE Medical Center, Saint-Cloud, France
| | - Adam Niezgoda
- Department of Neurology, Heliodor Swiecicki University Hospital, University of Medical Sciences of Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Emmanuel Moyse
- INRAE Centre Val-de-Loire, Physiology of Reproduction and Behavior Unit (PRC UMR-85), Nouzilly, France
| | - Stephen W. Porges
- Traumatic Stress Research Consortium, Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Nohesara S, Abdolmaleky HM, Thiagalingam S. Epigenetic Aberrations in Major Psychiatric Diseases Related to Diet and Gut Microbiome Alterations. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1506. [PMID: 37510410 PMCID: PMC10379841 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrition and metabolism modify epigenetic signatures like histone acetylation and DNA methylation. Histone acetylation and DNA methylation in the central nervous system (CNS) can be altered by bioactive nutrients and gut microbiome via the gut-brain axis, which in turn modulate neuronal activity and behavior. Notably, the gut microbiome, with more than 1000 bacterial species, collectively contains almost three million functional genes whose products interact with millions of human epigenetic marks and 30,000 genes in a dynamic manner. However, genetic makeup shapes gut microbiome composition, food/nutrient metabolism, and epigenetic landscape, as well. Here, we first discuss the effect of changes in the microbial structure and composition in shaping specific epigenetic alterations in the brain and their role in the onset and progression of major mental disorders. Afterward, potential interactions among maternal diet/environmental factors, nutrition, and gastrointestinal microbiome, and their roles in accelerating or delaying the onset of severe mental illnesses via epigenetic changes will be discussed. We also provide an overview of the association between the gut microbiome, oxidative stress, and inflammation through epigenetic mechanisms. Finally, we present some underlying mechanisms involved in mediating the influence of the gut microbiome and probiotics on mental health via epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Nohesara
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02218, USA; (S.N.); (S.T.)
| | - Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02218, USA; (S.N.); (S.T.)
- Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boson, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sam Thiagalingam
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02218, USA; (S.N.); (S.T.)
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02218, USA
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