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Ornelas LC, Fish EW, Dooley JC, Carroll M, Parnell SE, Besheer J. The impact of prenatal alcohol, synthetic cannabinoid and co-exposure on behavioral adaptations in adolescent offspring and alcohol self-administration in adulthood. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2024; 102:107341. [PMID: 38490565 PMCID: PMC11000688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2024.107341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to alcohol or cannabinoids can produce enduring neurobiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes in the offspring. Furthermore, prenatal co-exposure to alcohol and cannabinoids induces malformations in brain regions associated with reward and stress-related circuitry. This study examined the effects of co-exposure to alcohol and the synthetic cannabinoid (SCB) CP55,940 throughout gastrulation and neurulation in rats on basal corticosterone levels and a battery of behavioral tests during adolescence and alcohol self-administration in adulthood. Importantly, we find that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) caused lower baseline corticosterone levels in adolescent males and females. Co-exposure to alcohol + CP produced hyperactivity during open field test in males, but not females. During the two-bottle choice alcohol-drinking procedure, prenatal cannabinoid exposed male and female adolescent rats drank more alcohol than their vehicle-exposed controls. In adulthood, female rats treated with prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE), showed an overall total increase in alcohol intake during alcohol self-administration; but this was not found in males. When the reinforcer was changed to a 1% sucrose solution, male rats exposed to PCE, showed a reduced self-administration compared to vehicle-exposed males, potentially indicative of an anhedonic response. This lower self-administration persisted when 20% alcohol was reintroduced to the sucrose solution. Lastly, following an abstinence period, there were no changes due to prenatal drug exposure in either males or females. Overall, these data suggest lasting consequences of prenatal alcohol and cannabinoid exposure during adolescence and adulthood in male and female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Ornelas
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Jacob C Dooley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Megan Carroll
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States of America.
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2
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Boschen KE, Dragicevich CJ, Fish EW, Hepperla AJ, Simon JM, Parnell SE. Gastrulation-stage alcohol exposure induces similar rates of craniofacial malformations in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2292. [PMID: 38116840 PMCID: PMC10872400 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure during gastrulation (embryonic day [E] 7 in mice, ~3rd week of human pregnancy) impairs eye, facial, and cortical development, recapitulating birth defects characteristic of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). However, it is not known whether the prevalence or severity of craniofacial features associated with FAS is affected by biological sex. METHODS The current study administered either alcohol (2.9 g/kg, two i.p. doses, 4 hr apart) or vehicle to pregnant C57BL/6J females on E7, prior to gonadal sex differentiation, and assessed fetal morphology at E17. RESULTS Whereas sex did not affect fetal size in controls, alcohol-exposed females were smaller than both control females and alcohol-treated males. Alcohol exposure increased the incidence of eye defects to a similar degree in males and females. Together, these data suggest that females might be more sensitive to the general developmental effects of alcohol, but not effects specific to the craniofacies. Whole transcriptomic analysis of untreated E7 embryos found 214 differentially expressed genes in females vs. males, including those in pathways related to cilia and mitochondria, histone demethylase activity, and pluripotency. CONCLUSION Gastrulation-stage alcohol induces craniofacial malformations in male and female mouse fetuses at similar rates and severity, though growth deficits are more prevalent females. These findings support the investigation of biological sex as a contributing factor in prenatal alcohol studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E. Boschen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Constance J. Dragicevich
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eric W. Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Austin J. Hepperla
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Scott E. Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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3
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Ornelas LC, Fish EW, Dooley JC, Carroll M, Parnell SE, Besheer J. The impact of prenatal alcohol and synthetic cannabinoid exposure on behavioral adaptations in adolescent offspring and alcohol self-administration in adulthood. bioRxiv 2023:2023.10.09.561571. [PMID: 37873078 PMCID: PMC10592743 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.09.561571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to alcohol or cannabinoids can produce enduring neurobiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes in the offspring. Furthermore, prenatal co-exposure to alcohol and cannabinoids induces malformations in brain regions associated with reward and stress-related circuitry. This study examined the effects of co-exposure to alcohol and the synthetic cannabinoid (SCB) CP55,940 throughout gastrulation and neurulation in rats on basal corticosterone levels and a battery of behavioral tests during adolescence and alcohol self-administration in adulthood. Importantly, we find that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) caused lower baseline corticosterone levels in adolescent males and females. Co-exposure to alcohol + CP produced hyperactivity during open field test in males, but not females. During the two-bottle choice alcohol-drinking procedure, prenatal cannabinoid exposed male and female adolescent rats drank more alcohol than their vehicle-exposed controls. In adulthood, female rats treated with prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE), showed an overall total increase in alcohol intake during alcohol self-administration; but this was not found in males. When the reinforcer was changed to a 1% sucrose solution, male rats exposed to PCE, showed a reduced self-administration compared to vehicle-exposed males, potentially indicative of an anhedonic response. This lower self-administration persisted when 20% alcohol was reintroduced to the sucrose solution. Lastly, following an abstinence period, there were no changes due to prenatal drug exposure in either males or females. Overall, these data suggest lasting consequences of prenatal alcohol and cannabinoid exposure during adolescence and adulthood in male and female rats.
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Boschen KE, Steensen MC, Simon JM, Parnell SE. Short-term transcriptomic changes in the mouse neural tube induced by an acute alcohol exposure. Alcohol 2023; 106:1-9. [PMID: 36202274 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol exposure during the formation and closure of the neural tube, or neurulation (embryonic day [E] 8-10 in mice; ∼4th week of human pregnancy), perturbs development of midline brain structures and significantly disrupts gene expression in the rostroventral neural tube (RVNT). Previously, alcohol exposure during neurulation was found to alter gene pathways related to cell proliferation, p53 signaling, ribosome biogenesis, immune signaling, organogenesis, and cell migration 6 or 24 h after administration. Our current study expands upon this work by investigating short-term gene expression changes in the RVNT following a single binge-like alcohol exposure during neurulation. Female C57BL/6J mice were administered a single dose of 2.9 g/kg alcohol or vehicle on E9.0 to target mid-neurulation. The RVNTs of stage-matched embryos were collected 2 or 4 h after exposure and processed for RNA-seq. Functional profiling was performed with g:Profiler, as well as with the CiliaCarta and DisGeNet databases. Two hours following E9.0 alcohol exposure, 650 genes in the RVNT were differentially expressed. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that pathways related to cellular metabolism, gene expression, cell cycle, organogenesis, and Hedgehog signaling were down-regulated, and pathways related to cellular stress response, p53 signaling, and hypoxia were up-regulated by alcohol. Four hours after alcohol exposure, 225 genes were differentially expressed. Biological processes related to metabolism, RNA binding, ribosome biogenesis, and methylation were down-regulated, while protein localization and binding, autophagy, and intracellular signaling pathways were up-regulated. Two hours after alcohol exposure, the differentially expressed genes were associated with disease terms related to eye and craniofacial development and anoxia. These data provide further information regarding the biological functions targeted by alcohol exposure during neurulation in regions of the neural tube that give rise to alcohol-sensitive midline brain structures. Disruption of these gene pathways contributes to the craniofacial and brain malformations associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Boschen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Melina C Steensen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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Fish EW, Mendoza-Romero HN, Love CA, Dragicevich CJ, Cannizzo MD, Boschen KE, Hepperla A, Simon JM, Parnell SE. The pro-apoptotic Bax gene modifies susceptibility to craniofacial dysmorphology following gastrulation-stage alcohol exposure. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:1229-1243. [PMID: 35396933 PMCID: PMC10103739 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During early development, alcohol exposure causes apoptotic cell death in discrete regions of the embryo which are associated with distinctive patterns of later-life abnormalities. In gastrulation, which occurs during the third week of human pregnancy, alcohol targets the ectoderm, the precursor of the eyes, face, and brain. This midline tissue loss leads to the craniofacial dysmorphologies, such as microphthalmia and a smooth philtrum, which define fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). An important regulator of alcohol-induced cell death is the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. The current study determines if mice lacking the Bax gene are less susceptible to the pathogenic effects of gastrulation-stage alcohol exposure. METHODS Male and female Bax+/- mice mated to produce embryos with full (-/- ) or partial (+/- ) Bax deletions, or Bax+/+ wild-type controls. On Gestational Day 7 (GD 7), embryos received two alcohol (2.9 g/kg, 4 hr apart), or control exposures. A subset of embryos was collected 12 hr later and examined for the presence of apoptotic cell death, while others were examined on GD 17 for the presence of FAS-like facial features. RESULTS Full Bax deletion reduced embryonic apoptotic cell death and the incidence of fetal eye and face malformations, indicating that Bax normally facilitates the development of alcohol-induced defects. An RNA-seq analysis of GD 7 Bax+/+ and Bax-/- embryos revealed 63 differentially expressed genes, some of which may interact with the Bax deletion to further protect against apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these experiments identify that Bax is a primary teratogenic mechanism of gastrulation-stage alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Haley N Mendoza-Romero
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Charlotte A Love
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Constance J Dragicevich
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael D Cannizzo
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karen E Boschen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Austin Hepperla
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Burton DF, Boa-Amponsem OM, Dixon MS, Hopkins MJ, Herbin TA, Toney S, Tarpley M, Rodriguez BV, Fish EW, Parnell SE, Cole GJ, Williams KP. Pharmacological activation of the Sonic hedgehog pathway with a Smoothened small molecule agonist ameliorates the severity of alcohol-induced morphological and behavioral birth defects in a zebrafish model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1585-1601. [PMID: 35014067 PMCID: PMC9271529 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol exposure during the early stages of embryonic development can lead to a range of morphological and behavioral differences termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). In a zebrafish model, we have shown that acute ethanol exposure at 8-10 hr postfertilization (hpf), a critical time of development, produces birth defects similar to those clinically characterized in FASD. Dysregulation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway has been implicated as a molecular basis for many of the birth defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. We observed in zebrafish embryos that shh expression was significantly decreased by ethanol exposure at 8-10 hpf, while smo expression was much less affected. Treatment of zebrafish embryos with SAG or purmorphamine, small molecule Smoothened agonists that activate Shh signaling, ameliorated the severity of ethanol-induced developmental malformations including altered eye size and midline brain development. Furthermore, this rescue effect of Smo activation was dose dependent and occurred primarily when treatment was given after ethanol exposure. Markers of Shh signaling (gli1/2) and eye development (pax6a) were restored in embryos treated with SAG post-ethanol exposure. Since embryonic ethanol exposure has been shown to produce later-life neurobehavioral impairments, juvenile zebrafish were examined in the novel tank diving test. Our results further demonstrated that in zebrafish embryos exposed to ethanol, SAG treatment was able to mitigate long-term neurodevelopmental impairments related to anxiety and risk-taking behavior. Our results indicate that pharmacological activation of the Shh pathway at specific developmental timing markedly diminishes the severity of alcohol-induced birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek F Burton
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Oswald M Boa-Amponsem
- Integrated Biosciences PhD Program, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maria S Dixon
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael J Hopkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Te-Andre Herbin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shiquita Toney
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael Tarpley
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Blanca V Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gregory J Cole
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kevin P Williams
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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7
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Boschen KE, Fish EW, Parnell SE. Prenatal alcohol exposure disrupts Sonic hedgehog pathway and primary cilia genes in the mouse neural tube. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 105:136-147. [PMID: 34492310 PMCID: PMC8529623 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurulation-stage alcohol exposure (NAE; embryonic day [E] 8-10) is associated with midline craniofacial and CNS defects that likely arise from disruption of morphogen pathways, such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh). Notably, midline anomalies are also a hallmark of genetic ciliopathies such as Joubert syndrome. We tested whether NAE alters Shh pathway signaling and the number and function of primary cilia, organelles critical for Shh pathway transduction. Female C57BL/6 J mice were administered two doses of alcohol (2.9 g/kg/dose) or vehicle on E9. Embryos were collected 6, 12, or 24 h later, and changes to Shh, cell cycle genes, and primary cilia were measured in the rostroventral neural tube (RVNT). Within the first 24 h post-NAE, reductions in Shh pathway and cell cycle gene expression and the ratio of Gli3 forms in the full-length activator state were observed. RVNT volume and cell layer width were reduced at 12 h. In addition, altered expression of multiple cilia-related genes was observed at 6 h post-NAE. As a further test of cilia gene-ethanol interaction, mice heterozygous for Kif3a exhibited perturbed behavior during adolescence following NAE compared to vehicle-treated mice, and Kif3a heterozygosity exacerbated the hyperactive effects of NAE on exploratory activity. These data demonstrate that NAE downregulates the Shh pathway in a region of the neural tube that gives rise to alcohol-sensitive brain structures and identifies disruption of primary cilia function, or a "transient ciliopathy", as a possible cellular mechanism of prenatal alcohol pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Boschen
- Bowles Center on Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center on Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center on Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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8
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Fish EW, Tucker SK, Peterson RL, Eberhart JK, Parnell SE. Loss of tumor protein 53 protects against alcohol-induced facial malformations in mice and zebrafish. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:1965-1979. [PMID: 34581462 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol exposure during the gastrulation stage of development causes the craniofacial and brain malformations that define fetal alcohol syndrome. These malformations, such as a deficient philtrum, are exemplified by a loss of midline tissue and correspond, at least in part, to regionally selective cell death in the embryo. The tumor suppressor protein Tp53 is an important mechanism for cell death, but the role of Tp53 in the consequences of alcohol exposure during the gastrulation stage has yet to be examined. The current studies used mice and zebrafish to test whether genetic loss of Tp53 is a conserved mechanism to protect against the effects of early developmental stage alcohol exposure. METHODS Female mice, heterozygous for a mutation in the Tp53 gene, were mated with Tp53 heterozygous males, and the resulting embryos were exposed during gastrulation on gestational day 7 (GD 7) to alcohol (two maternal injections of 2.9 g/kg, i.p., 4 h apart) or a vehicle control. Zebrafish mutants or heterozygotes for the tp53zdf1 M214K mutation and their wild-type controls were exposed to alcohol (1.5% or 2%) beginning 6 h postfertilization (hpf), the onset of gastrulation. RESULTS Examination of GD 17 mice revealed that eye defects were the most common phenotype among alcohol-exposed fetuses, occurring in nearly 75% of the alcohol-exposed wild-type fetuses. Tp53 gene deletion reduced the incidence of eye defects in both the heterozygous and mutant fetuses (to about 35% and 20% of fetuses, respectively) and completely protected against alcohol-induced facial malformations. Zebrafish (4 days postfertilization) also demonstrated alcohol-induced reductions of eye size and trabeculae length that were less common and less severe in tp53 mutants, indicating a protective effect of tp53 deletion. CONCLUSIONS These results identify an evolutionarily conserved role of Tp53 as a pathogenic mechanism for alcohol-induced teratogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Scott K Tucker
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research and Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel L Peterson
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Johann K Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research and Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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9
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Boschen KE, Ptacek TS, Berginski ME, Simon JM, Parnell SE. Transcriptomic analyses of gastrulation-stage mouse embryos with differential susceptibility to alcohol. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm049012. [PMID: 34137816 PMCID: PMC8246266 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetics are a known contributor to differences in alcohol sensitivity in humans with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) and in animal models. Our study profiled gene expression in gastrulation-stage embryos from two commonly used, genetically similar mouse substrains, C57BL/6J (6J) and C57BL/6NHsd (6N), that differ in alcohol sensitivity. First, we established normal gene expression patterns at three finely resolved time points during gastrulation and developed a web-based interactive tool. Baseline transcriptional differences across strains were associated with immune signaling. Second, we examined the gene networks impacted by alcohol in each strain. Alcohol caused a more pronounced transcriptional effect in the 6J versus 6N mice, matching the increased susceptibility of the 6J mice. The 6J strain exhibited dysregulation of pathways related to cell death, proliferation, morphogenic signaling and craniofacial defects, while the 6N strain showed enrichment of hypoxia and cellular metabolism pathways. These datasets provide insight into the changing transcriptional landscape across mouse gastrulation, establish a valuable resource that enables the discovery of candidate genes that may modify alcohol susceptibility that can be validated in humans, and identify novel pathogenic mechanisms of alcohol. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E. Boschen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Travis S. Ptacek
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew E. Berginski
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Scott E. Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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10
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Boschen KE, Ptacek TS, Simon JM, Parnell SE. Transcriptome-Wide Regulation of Key Developmental Pathways in the Mouse Neural Tube by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1540-1550. [PMID: 32557641 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early gestational alcohol exposure is associated with severe craniofacial and CNS dysmorphologies and behavioral abnormalities during adolescence and adulthood. Alcohol exposure during the formation of the neural tube (gestational day [GD] 8 to 10 in mice; equivalent to4th week of human pregnancy) disrupts development of ventral midline brain structures such as the pituitary, septum, and ventricles. This study identifies transcriptomic changes in the rostroventral neural tube (RVNT), the region of the neural tube that gives rise to the midline structures sensitive to alcohol exposure during neurulation. METHODS Female C57BL/6J mice were administered 2 doses of alcohol (2.9 g/kg) or vehicle 4 hours apart on GD 9.0. The RVNTs of embryos were collected 6 or 24 hours after the first dose and processed for RNA-seq. RESULTS Six hours following GD 9.0 alcohol exposure (GD 9.25), over 2,300 genes in the RVNT were determined to be differentially regulated by alcohol. Enrichment analysis determined that PAE affected pathways related to cell proliferation, p53 signaling, ribosome biogenesis, and immune activation. In addition, over 100 genes involved in primary cilia formation and function and regulation of morphogenic pathways were altered 6 hours after alcohol exposure. The changes to gene expression were largely transient, as only 91 genes identified as differentially regulated by prenatal alcohol at GD 10 (24 hours postexposure). Functionally, the differentially regulated genes at GD 10 were related to organogenesis and cell migration. CONCLUSIONS These data give a comprehensive view of the changing landscape of the embryonic transcriptome networks in regions of the neural tube that give rise to brain structures impacted by a neurulation-stage alcohol exposure. Identification of gene networks dysregulated by alcohol will help elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of alcohol's actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Boschen
- From the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Travis S Ptacek
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- From the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Parnell SE, Chambers CD. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Birth Defects Res 2020; 111:683-685. [PMID: 31334923 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Christina D Chambers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California.,Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
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12
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Wang P, Yan F, Li Z, Yu Y, Parnell SE, Xiong Y. Impaired plasma membrane localization of ubiquitin ligase complex underlies 3-M syndrome development. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4393-4407. [PMID: 31343991 DOI: 10.1172/jci129107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
3-M primordial dwarfism is an inherited disease characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth retardation and by mutually exclusive mutations in three genes, CUL7, OBSL1, and CCDC8. The mechanism underlying 3-M dwarfism is not clear. We showed here that CCDC8, derived from a retrotransposon Gag protein in placental mammals, exclusively localized on the plasma membrane and was phosphorylated by CK2 and GSK3. Phosphorylation of CCDC8 resulted in its binding first with OBSL1, and then CUL7, leading to the membrane assembly of the 3-M E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. We identified LL5β, a plasma membrane protein that regulates cell migration, as a substrate of 3-M ligase. Wnt inhibition of CCDC8 phosphorylation or patient-derived mutations in 3-M genes disrupted membrane localization of the 3-M complex and accumulated LL5β. Deletion of Ccdc8 in mice impaired trophoblast migration and placental development, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction and perinatal lethality. These results identified a mechanism regulating cell migration and placental development that underlies the development of 3-M dwarfism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Feng Yan
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zhijun Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yanbao Yu
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology
| | - Yue Xiong
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and.,Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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13
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Boschen KE, Gong H, Murdaugh LB, Parnell SE. Knockdown of Mns1 Increases Susceptibility to Craniofacial Defects Following Gastrulation-Stage Alcohol Exposure in Mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:2136-2143. [PMID: 30129265 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MNS1 (meiosis-specific nuclear structural protein 1) is necessary for motile cilia function, such as sperm flagella or those found in the embryonic primitive node. While little is known regarding the function or expression pattern of MNS1 in the embryo, co-immunoprecipitation experiments in sperm have determined that MNS1 interacts with ciliary proteins, which are also important during development. Establishment of morphogenic gradients is dependent on normal ciliary motion in the primitive node beginning during gastrulation (gestational day [GD] 7 in the mouse, second-third week of pregnancy in humans), a critical window for face, eye, and brain development and particularly susceptible to perturbations of developmental signals. The current study investigates the role of Mns1 in craniofacial defects associated with gastrulation-stage alcohol exposure. METHODS On GD7, pregnant Mns1+/- dams were administered 2 doses of ethanol (5.8 g/kg total) or vehicle 4 hours apart to target gastrulation. On GD17, fetuses were examined for ocular defects by scoring each eye on a scale from 1 to 7 (1 = normal, 2 to 7 = defects escalating in severity). Craniofacial and brain abnormalities were also assessed. RESULTS Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) significantly increased the rate of defects in wild-type fetuses, as PAE fetuses had an incidence rate of 41.18% compared to a 10% incidence rate in controls. Furthermore, PAE interacted with genotype to significantly increase the defect rate and severity in Mns1+/- (64.29%) and Mns1-/- mice (92.31%). PAE Mns1-/- fetuses with severe eye defects also presented with craniofacial dysmorphologies characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome and midline tissue loss in the brain, palate, and nasal septum. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that a partial or complete knockdown of Mns1 interacts with PAE to increase the susceptibility to ocular defects and correlating craniofacial and brain anomalies, likely though interaction of alcohol with motile cilia function. These results further our understanding of genetic risk factors that may underlie susceptibility to teratogenic exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Boschen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Henry Gong
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Laura B Murdaugh
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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14
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Suttie M, Wozniak JR, Parnell SE, Wetherill L, Mattson SN, Sowell ER, Kan E, Riley EP, Jones KL, Coles C, Foroud T, Hammond P. Combined Face-Brain Morphology and Associated Neurocognitive Correlates in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:1769-1782. [PMID: 29935097 PMCID: PMC6120799 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the 1970s, a range of facial, neurostructural, and neurocognitive adverse effects have been shown to be associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Typically, these effects are studied individually and not in combination. Our objective is to improve the understanding of the teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure by simultaneously considering face-brain morphology and neurocognitive measures. METHODS Participants were categorized as control (n = 47), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS, n = 22), or heavily exposed (HE) prenatally, but not eligible for a FAS diagnosis (HE, n = 50). Structural brain MRI images and high-resolution 3D facial images were analyzed using dense surface models of features of the face and surface shape of the corpus callosum (CC) and caudate nucleus (CN). Asymmetry of the CN was evaluated for correlations with neurocognitive measures. RESULTS (i) Facial growth delineations for FAS, HE, and controls are replicated for the CN and the CC. (ii) Concordance of clinical diagnosis and face-based control-FAS discrimination improves when the latter is combined with specific brain regions. In particular, midline facial regions discriminate better when combined with a midsagittal profile of the CC. (iii) A subset of HE individuals was identified with FAS-like CN dysmorphism. The average of this HE subset was FAS-like in its facial dysmorphism. (iv) Right-left asymmetry found in the CNs of controls is not apparent for FAS, is diminished for HE, and correlates with neurocognitive measures in the combined FAS and HE population. CONCLUSIONS Shape analysis which combines facial regions with the CN, and with the CC, better identify those with FAS. CN asymmetry was reduced for FAS compared to controls and is strongly associated with general cognitive ability, verbal learning, and recall in those with prenatal alcohol exposure. This study further extends the brain-behavior relationships known to be vulnerable to alcohol teratogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Suttie
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, UK
| | | | - Scott E. Parnell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Leah Wetherill
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Sarah N. Mattson
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. Sowell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USA
| | - Eric Kan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USA
| | - Edward P. Riley
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Kenneth L. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, UCSD, San Diego, USA
| | - Claire Coles
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Tatiana Foroud
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Peter Hammond
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, UK
| | - CIFASD
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, UK
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15
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Parnell SE, Riley EP, Warren KR, Mitchell KT, Charness ME. The contributions of Dr. Kathleen K. Sulik to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders research and prevention. Alcohol 2018; 69:15-24. [PMID: 29571046 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Dr. Kathleen Sulik (Kathy) has spent 35 years studying fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Beginning with her landmark 1981 Science paper describing the early gestational window when alcohol can cause the craniofacial malformations characteristic of FAS, Kathy has contributed a vast amount of research furthering our knowledge of FASD. After her seminal work that definitively demonstrated that alcohol is the causative factor in FAS, she and her lab went on to explore and define the stage-dependent effects of early gestational alcohol exposure on the face and brain in numerous different ways throughout her career. She explored and discovered numerous mechanisms of alcohol's effects on the embryo, as well as describing several genetic factors that can modify susceptibility to developmental alcohol exposure. She did not restrict her research to the face and brain; her lab described in intricate detail the effects of developmental alcohol exposure on many different organs, including the heart, ears, kidneys, and limbs. In addition to her research, and in conjunction with NIAAA and the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS), Kathy developed several FASD prevention curricula that are still in use today. Finally, as part of her drive to eradicate FAS and FASD, Kathy labored tirelessly with public policy makers to change how FASD is viewed by the public, how FASD is identified in affected individuals, and how FASD is studied by researchers. While no article could fully cover Kathy's contributions to FASD research and prevention, or her other contributions to embryology and teratology, this review will attempt to illustrate some of the highlights of Kathy's remarkable career.
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16
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Murdaugh LB, Mendoza-Romero HN, Fish EW, Parnell SE. A novel method for determining sex in late term gestational mice based on the external genitalia. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194767. [PMID: 29617407 PMCID: PMC5884523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In many experiments using fetal mice, it is necessary to determine the sex of the individual fetus. However, other than genotyping for sex-specific genes, there is no convenient, reliable method of sexing mice between gestational day (GD) 16.5 and GD 18.0. We designed a rapid, relatively simple visual method to determine the sex of mouse fetuses in the GD 16.5—GD 18.0 range that can be performed as part of a routine morphological assessment. By examining the genitalia for the presence or absence of key features, raters with minimal experience with the method were able to correctly identify the sex of embryos with 99% accuracy, while raters with no experience were 95% accurate. The critical genital features include: the presence or absence of urethral seam or proximal urethral meatus; the shape of the genitalia, and the presence or absence of an area related to the urethral plate. By comparing these morphological features of the external genitalia, we show a simple, accurate, and fast way to determine the sex of late stage mouse fetuses. Integrating this method into regular morphological assessments will facilitate the determination of sex differences in fetuses between GD 16.5 and GD 18.0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B. Murdaugh
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Haley N. Mendoza-Romero
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Eric W. Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Scott E. Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Li F, Kakoki M, Smid M, Boggess K, Wilder J, Hiller S, Bounajim C, Parnell SE, Sulik KK, Smithies O, Maeda-Smithies N. Causative Effects of Genetically Determined High Maternal/Fetal Endothelin-1 on Preeclampsia-Like Conditions in Mice. Hypertension 2018; 71:894-903. [PMID: 29610266 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.10849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. An association between an EDN1 gene polymorphism with high ET-1 and preeclampsia was reported in humans, but their cause and effect relationships have not been defined. We examined the pregnancy effects in mice with a modified Edn1 allele that increases mRNA stability and thus ET-1 production. Heterozygous Edn1H/+ females showed no obvious abnormalities before pregnancy, but when mated with wild-type (WT) males developed a full spectrum of preeclampsia-like phenotypes, including increased systolic blood pressure, proteinuria, glomerular endotheliosis, and intrauterine fetal growth restriction. At 7.5 days post-coitus, the embryos from Edn1H/+ dams, regardless of their Edn1 genotype, lagged 12 hours in development compared with embryos from WT dams, had disoriented ectoplacental cones, and retained high E-cadherin expression. In contrast, WT females mated with Edn1H/+ males, which also carried half of the fetuses with Edn1H/+ genotype, showed a mild systolic blood pressure increase only. These WT dams had 2× higher plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 than WT dams mated with WT males. In human first trimester trophoblast cells, pharmacological doses of ET-1 increased the cellular sFlt1 transcripts and protein secretion via both type A and B ET-1 receptors. Our data demonstrate that high maternal ET-1 production causes preeclampsia-like phenotypes during pregnancy, affecting both initial stage of trophoblast differentiation/invasion and maternal peripheral vasculature during late gestation. High fetal ET-1 production, however, could cause increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 in the maternal circulation and contribute to blood pressure elevation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.).
| | - Masao Kakoki
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Marcela Smid
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Kim Boggess
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Jennifer Wilder
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Sylvia Hiller
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Carol Bounajim
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Scott E Parnell
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Kathleen K Sulik
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Oliver Smithies
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
| | - Nobuyo Maeda-Smithies
- From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (F.L., M.K., J.W., S.H., O.S., N.M.-S.), Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.B.), School of Medicine (C.B.), and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (S.E.P., K.K.S.), University of North Carolina; and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (M.S.)
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18
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Fish EW, Parnell SE, Sulik KK, Baker LK, Murdaugh LB, Lamson D, Williams KP. Preaxial polydactyly following early gestational exposure to the smoothened agonist, SAG, in C57BL/6J mice. Birth Defects Res 2018; 109:49-54. [PMID: 27801979 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While pharmacological activation of the Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway may have therapeutic benefits for developmental and adult diseases, its teratogenic potential is of concern. The membrane molecule Smoothened (SMO) transduces HH signaling and can be acutely modulated by antagonists and agonists. The objective of the current experiments was to determine how maternal treatment with the Smo agonist, SAG, affects the developing limb. METHODS Pregnant C57BL/6J mice received a single injection of SAG (15, 17, or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) or its vehicle on gestational day (GD) 9.25, the time of limb bud induction. Embryos were examined on GD 15 for gross dysmorphology and skeletal staining was performed to visualize the number and type of digits on the fore- and hindlimbs. Additionally, in situ hybridization was performed 4 hr after GD 9.25 SAG administration to determine SAG's effects on Gli1 and Gli2 mRNA expression. RESULTS The most prevalent effect of SAG was the dose-dependent induction of pre-axial polydactyly; defects ranged from a broad thumb to the duplication of two finger-like digits on the preaxial side of the thumb. The highest SAG dose was effective in ca. 80% of the embryos and increased Gli1 and Gli2 mRNA expression in the limb bud, with Gli1 mRNA being the most upregulated. CONCLUSION Preaxial polydactyly can be caused in the developing embryo by acute maternal administration of a Smo agonist that activates HH signaling. These results are consistent with the preaxial polydactyly induced in developmental disorders associated with mutations in HH signaling genes.Birth Defects Research 109:49-54, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kathleen K Sulik
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Lorinda K Baker
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Laura B Murdaugh
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - David Lamson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, BRITE Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kevin P Williams
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, BRITE Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina
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19
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Fish EW, Wieczorek LA, Rumple A, Suttie M, Moy SS, Hammond P, Parnell SE. The enduring impact of neurulation stage alcohol exposure: A combined behavioral and structural neuroimaging study in adult male and female C57BL/6J mice. Behav Brain Res 2017; 338:173-184. [PMID: 29107713 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can cause behavioral and brain alterations over the lifespan. In animal models, these effects can occur following PAE confined to critical developmental periods, equivalent to the third and fourth weeks of human gestation, before pregnancy is usually recognized. The current study focuses on PAE during early neurulation and examines the behavioral and brain structural consequences that appear in adulthood. On gestational day 8 C57BL/6J dams received two alcohol (2.8g/kg, i.p), or vehicle, administrations, four hours apart. Male and female offspring were reared to adulthood and examined for performance on the elevated plus maze, rotarod, open field, Morris water maze, acoustic startle, social preference (i.e. three-chambered social approach test), and the hot plate. A subset of these mice was later evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging to detect changes in regional brain volumes and shapes. In males, PAE increased exploratory behaviors on the elevated plus maze and in the open field; these changes were associated with increased fractional anisotropy in the anterior commissure. In females, PAE reduced social preference and the startle response, and decreased cerebral cortex and brain stem volumes. Vehicle-treated females had larger pituitaries than did vehicle-treated males, but PAE attenuated this sex difference. In males, pituitary size correlated with open field activity, while in females, pituitary size correlated with social activity. These findings indicate that early neurulation PAE causes sex specific behavioral and brain changes in adulthood. Changes in the pituitary suggest that this structure is especially vulnerable to neurulation stage PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Fish
- The Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AR, SSM), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
| | - L A Wieczorek
- The Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AR, SSM), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - A Rumple
- The Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AR, SSM), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - M Suttie
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - S S Moy
- The Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AR, SSM), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - P Hammond
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - S E Parnell
- The Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AR, SSM), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
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Fish EW, Murdaugh LB, Sulik KK, Williams KP, Parnell SE. Genetic vulnerabilities to prenatal alcohol exposure: Limb defects in sonic hedgehog and GLI2 heterozygous mice. Birth Defects Res 2017; 109:860-865. [PMID: 28504423 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic factors influence the physical and neurobehavioral manifestations of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Animal models allow the investigation of specific genes that confer vulnerability to, or protection from, birth defects associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). The objective of the present experiments was to determine if genetic alterations in the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathways affect the vulnerability to PAE-induced skeletal defects involving the forelimbs and/or hindlimbs. METHOD Wild-type C57BL/6J female mice were bred with males in which one copy of the Shh or Gli2 genes had been knocked out, to produce litters with both wild-type (+/+) and heterozygous (+/-) embryos. Alcohol doses (two injections of 2.9 g/kg, 4 hours apart) or vehicles were administered starting at gestational day (GD) 9.25, 9.5, or 9.75, a critical exposure time for inducing limb defects. Limb defects were examined at GD 17 using a dysmorphology scale based on abnormalities ranging from increased interdigital spacing to the deletion of multiple fingers and the ulna. RESULTS Alcohol treatment caused a high incidence of forelimb defects, particularly on the right side, that was higher in Shh+/- and Gli2+/- fetuses compared to wild-type fetuses. Dysmorphology scores were also significantly higher in the Shh+/- and Gli2+/- mice. CONCLUSIONS These results extend previous findings demonstrating enhanced sensitivity to PAE-induced craniofacial dysmorphology and support the hypothesis that genetic alterations in the Shh signaling pathway influences the vulnerability to alcohol-induced birth defects. Moreover, these results emphasize the importance of understanding the interactions between genes and prenatal exposure to alcohol or other teratogens. Birth Defects Research 109:860-865, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Laura B Murdaugh
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kathleen K Sulik
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kevin P Williams
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, BRITE Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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21
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Fish EW, Holloway HT, Rumple A, Baker LK, Wieczorek LA, Moy SS, Paniagua B, Parnell SE. Acute alcohol exposure during neurulation: Behavioral and brain structural consequences in adolescent C57BL/6J mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 311:70-80. [PMID: 27185739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can induce physical malformations and behavioral abnormalities that depend in part on thedevelopmental timing of alcohol exposure. The current studies employed a mouse FASD model to characterize the long-term behavioral and brain structural consequences of a binge-like alcohol exposure during neurulation; a first-trimester stage when women are typically unaware that they are pregnant. Time-mated C57BL/6J female mice were administered two alcohol doses (2.8g/kg, four hours apart) or vehicle starting at gestational day 8.0. Male and female adolescent offspring (postnatal day 28-45) were then examined for motor activity (open field and elevated plus maze), coordination (rotarod), spatial learning and memory (Morris water maze), sensory motor gating (acoustic startle and prepulse inhibition), sociability (three-chambered social test), and nociceptive responses (hot plate). Regional brain volumes and shapes were determined using magnetic resonance imaging. In males, PAE increased activity on the elevated plus maze and reduced social novelty preference, while in females PAE increased exploratory behavior in the open field and transiently impaired rotarod performance. In both males and females, PAE modestly impaired Morris water maze performance and decreased the latency to respond on the hot plate. There were no brain volume differences; however, significant shape differences were found in the cerebellum, hypothalamus, striatum, and corpus callosum. These results demonstrate that alcohol exposure during neurulation can have functional consequences into adolescence, even in the absence of significant brain regional volumetric changes. However, PAE-induced regional shape changes provide evidence for persistent brain alterations and suggest alternative clinical diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - H T Holloway
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - A Rumple
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - L K Baker
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - L A Wieczorek
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - S S Moy
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - B Paniagua
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - S E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (EWF, HTH, LKB, LAW, SEP), Department of Cell Biology and Physiology (SEP), Department of Psychiatry (AMR, SSM, BP), and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (SSM, BP, SEP), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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Abstract
The term "fetal alcohol spectrum disorders" (FASD) defines the full range of ethanol (EtOH)-induced birth defects. Numerous variables influence the phenotypic outcomes of embryonic EtOH exposure. Among these variables, genetics appears to play an important role, yet our understanding of the genetic predisposition to FASD is still in its infancy. We review the current literature that relates to the genetics of FASD susceptibility and gene-EtOH interactions. Where possible, we comment on potential mechanisms of reported gene-EtOH interactions. Early indications of genetic sensitivity to FASD came from human and animal studies using twins or inbred strains, respectively. These analyses prompted searches for susceptibility loci involved in EtOH metabolism and analyses of candidate loci, based on phenotypes observed in FASD. More recently, genetic screens in animal models have provided an additional insight into the genetics of FASD. Understanding FASD requires that we understand the many factors influencing phenotypic outcome following embryonic EtOH exposure. We are gaining ground on understanding some of the genetics behind FASD, yet much work remains to be carried out. Coordinated analyses using human patients and animal models are likely to be highly fruitful in uncovering the genetics behind FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann K Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute for Neuroscience, Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Gilbert MT, Sulik KK, Fish EW, Baker LK, Dehart DB, Parnell SE. Dose-dependent teratogenicity of the synthetic cannabinoid CP-55,940 in mice. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2015; 58:15-22. [PMID: 26708672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Potent synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) are illegally distributed drugs of abuse that are frequently consumed in spite of their adverse consequences. This study was designed to determine if the toxicity observed in adults also extends to the prenatal period by examining the developmental toxicity/teratogenicity of one of these SCBs, CP-55,940, in a mammalian model. First, immunohistochemistry was employed for cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) localization within gestational day (GD) 8 mouse embryos; this receptor was identified in the cranial neural plate, suggesting that the endogenous cannabinoid system may be involved in normal development. Based on this information and on previous avian teratogenicity studies, the current investigation focused on cannabinoid exposure during neurulation. The treatment paradigm involved acute i.p. administration of vehicle, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0mg/kg CP-55,940 to time-mated C57Bl/6J mice on their 8th day of pregnancy (n>10 litters per treatment group). On GD 17, litters were harvested and examined for numbers of live, dead, or resorbed fetuses, as well as for fetal weight, length, and gross morphological abnormalities. No effect on litter size, fetal weight, or crown rump length was seen at any of the CP-55,940 dosages tested. Major malformations involving the craniofacies and/or eyes were noted in all drug-treated groups. Selected fetuses with craniofacial malformations were histologically sectioned and stained, allowing investigation of brain anomalies. Observed craniofacial, ocular, and brain abnormalities in drug-treated fetuses included lateral and median facial clefts, cleft palate, microphthalmia, iridial coloboma, anophthalmia, exencephaly, holoprosencephaly, and cortical dysplasia. With the most commonly observed defects involving the eyes, the incidence and severity of readily identifiable ocular malformations were utilized as a basis for dose-response analyses. Ocular malformation ratings revealed dose-dependent CP-55,940 teratogenicity within the full range of dosages tested. While examination of additional critical periods and in depth mechanistic studies is warranted, the results of this investigation clearly show the dose-dependent teratogenicity of this SCB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcoita T Gilbert
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, United States
| | - Kathleen K Sulik
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, United States; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7255, United States; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7545, United States
| | - Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, United States
| | - Lorinda K Baker
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, United States
| | - Deborah B Dehart
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, United States
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, United States; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7255, United States; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7545, United States.
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Veazey KJ, Parnell SE, Miranda RC, Golding MC. Dose-dependent alcohol-induced alterations in chromatin structure persist beyond the window of exposure and correlate with fetal alcohol syndrome birth defects. Epigenetics Chromatin 2015; 8:39. [PMID: 26421061 PMCID: PMC4587584 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-015-0031-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, we have come to recognize that a multitude of in utero exposures have the capacity to induce the development of congenital and metabolic defects. As most of these encounters manifest their effects beyond the window of exposure, deciphering the mechanisms of teratogenesis is incredibly difficult. For many agents, altered epigenetic programming has become suspect in transmitting the lasting signature of exposure leading to dysgenesis. However, while several chemicals can perturb chromatin structure acutely, for many agents (particularly alcohol) it remains unclear if these modifications represent transient responses to exposure or heritable lesions leading to pathology. Results Here, we report that mice encountering an acute exposure to alcohol on gestational Day-7 exhibit significant alterations in chromatin structure (histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation, lysine 9 acetylation, and lysine 27 trimethylation) at Day-17, and that these changes strongly correlate with the development of craniofacial and central nervous system defects. Using a neural cortical stem cell model, we find that the epigenetic changes arising as a consequence of alcohol exposure are heavily dependent on the gene under investigation, the dose of alcohol encountered, and that the signatures arising acutely differ significantly from those observed after a 4-day recovery period. Importantly, the changes observed post-recovery are consistent with those modeled in vivo, and associate with alterations in transcripts encoding multiple homeobox genes directing neurogenesis. Unexpectedly, we do not observe a correlation between alcohol-induced changes in chromatin structure and alterations in transcription. Interestingly, the majority of epigenetic changes observed occur in marks associated with repressive chromatin structure, and we identify correlative disruptions in transcripts encoding Dnmt1, Eed, Ehmt2 (G9a), EzH2, Kdm1a, Kdm4c, Setdb1, Sod3, Tet1 and Uhrf1. Conclusions These observations suggest that the immediate and long-term impacts of alcohol exposure on chromatin structure are distinct, and hint at the existence of a possible coordinated
epigenetic response to ethanol during development. Collectively, our results indicate that alcohol-induced modifications to chromatin structure persist beyond the window of exposure, and likely contribute to the development of fetal alcohol syndrome-associated congenital abnormalities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-015-0031-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylee J Veazey
- Room 338 VMA, 4466 TAMU, Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466 USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, CB# 7178, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Rajesh C Miranda
- Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, Texas A&M University, 8441 State Highway 47, Clinical Building 1, Suite 3100, Bryan, TX 77807 USA
| | - Michael C Golding
- Room 338 VMA, 4466 TAMU, Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466 USA
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Wieczorek L, Fish EW, O'Leary-Moore SK, Parnell SE, Sulik KK. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and behavioral dysfunction following early binge-like prenatal alcohol exposure in mice. Alcohol 2015; 49:207-17. [PMID: 25709101 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The range of defects that fall within fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) includes persistent behavioral problems, with anxiety and depression being two of the more commonly reported issues. Previous studies of rodent FASD models suggest that interference with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis structure and/or function may be the basis for some of the prenatal alcohol (ethanol) exposure (PAE)-induced behavioral abnormalities. Included among the previous investigations are those illustrating that maternal alcohol treatment limited to very early stages of pregnancy (i.e., gestational day [GD]7 in mice; equivalent to the third week post-fertilization in humans) can cause structural abnormalities in areas such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and other forebrain regions integral to controlling stress and behavioral responses. The current investigation was designed to further examine the sequelae of prenatal alcohol insult at this early time period, with particular attention to HPA axis-associated functional changes in adult mice. The results of this study reveal that GD7 PAE in mice causes HPA axis dysfunction, with males and females showing elevated corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, respectively, following a 15-min restraint stress exposure. Males also showed elevated CORT levels following an acute alcohol injection of 2.0 g/kg, while females displayed blunted ACTH levels. Furthermore, analysis showed that anxiety-like behavior was decreased after GD7 PAE in female mice, but was increased in male mice. Collectively, the results of this study show that early gestational alcohol exposure in mice alters long-term HPA axis activity and behavior in a sexually dimorphic manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Wieczorek
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Eric W Fish
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shonagh K O'Leary-Moore
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen K Sulik
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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26
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Parnell SE, Holloway HE, Baker LK, Styner MA, Sulik KK. Dysmorphogenic effects of first trimester-equivalent ethanol exposure in mice: a magnetic resonance microscopy-based study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:2008-14. [PMID: 24931007 PMCID: PMC4107075 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first trimester of human development and the equivalent developmental period in animal models is a time when teratogenic ethanol (EtOH) exposure induces the major structural birth defects that fall within fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Previous FASD research employing an acute high dose maternal intraperitoneal EtOH treatment paradigm has identified sensitive periods for a number of these defects. Extending this work, this investigation utilized high resolution magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM)-based analyses to examine the dysmorphology resulting from maternal dietary EtOH intake occurring during selected first trimester-equivalent time periods. METHODS Female C57Bl/6J mice were acclimated to a liquid 4.8% EtOH (v/v)-containing diet, then bred while on standard chow. Dams were again provided the EtOH-containing liquid diet for a period that extended either from the beginning of gestational day (GD) 7 to the end of GD 11 or from the beginning of GD 12 to the end of GD 16. On GD 17, a subset of fetuses was selected for MRM-based analyses. Group comparisons were made for litter characteristics and gross dysmorphology, as well as whole and regional brain volumes. RESULTS EtOH-induced stage of exposure-dependent structural brain abnormalities were observed. The GD 7 to 11 EtOH-exposed group presented with a significant decrease in cerebellar volume and an increase in septal volume, while GD 12 to 16 EtOH treatment resulted in a reduction in right hippocampal volume accompanied by enlarged pituitaries. Additionally, the GD 12 to 16 EtOH exposure caused a high incidence of edema/fetal hydrops. CONCLUSIONS These results illustrate the teratogenic impact of maternal dietary EtOH intake occurring at time periods approximately equivalent to weeks 3 through 6 (GD 7 to 11 in mice) and weeks 7 through 12 (GD 12 to 16 in mice) of human gestation, further documenting EtOH's stage of exposure-dependent neuroteratogenic end points and highlighting the vulnerability of selected brain regions during the first trimester. Additionally they suggest that clinical attention should be paid to fetal hydrops as a likely component of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E. Parnell
- University of North Carolina - Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- University of North Carolina - Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Hunter E. Holloway
- University of North Carolina - Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Lorinda K. Baker
- University of North Carolina - Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Martin A. Styner
- University of North Carolina - Department of Psychiatry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- University of North Carolina - Department of Computer Science, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- University of North Carolina - Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Kathleen K. Sulik
- University of North Carolina - Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- University of North Carolina - Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- University of North Carolina - Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
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Parnell SE, Holloway HT, O'Leary-Moore SK, Dehart DB, Paniaqua B, Oguz I, Budin F, Styner MA, Johnson GA, Sulik KK. Magnetic resonance microscopy-based analyses of the neuroanatomical effects of gestational day 9 ethanol exposure in mice. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2013; 39:77-83. [PMID: 23911654 PMCID: PMC3795920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2013.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Animal model-based studies have shown that ethanol exposure during early gestation induces developmental stage-specific abnormalities of the face and brain. The exposure time-dependent variability in ethanol's teratogenic outcomes is expected to contribute significantly to the wide spectrum of effects observed in humans with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The work presented here employs a mouse FASD model and magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM; high resolution magnetic resonance imaging) in studies designed to further our understanding of the developmental stage-specific defects of the brain that are induced by ethanol. At neurulation stages, i.e. at the beginning of gestational day (GD) 9 and again 4 hours later, time-mated C57Bl/6J dams were intraperitoneally administered 2.9 g/kg ethanol or vehicle. Ethanol-exposed fetuses were collected on GD 17, processed for MRM analysis, and results compared to comparably staged controls. Linear and volume measurements as well as shape changes for numerous individual brain regions were determined. GD 9 ethanol exposure resulted in significantly increased septal region width, reduction of cerebellar volume, and enlargement of all of the ventricles. Additionally, the results of shape analyses showed that many areas of the ethanol-exposed brains including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and right striatum were significantly misshapen. These data demonstrate that ethanol can induce dysmorphology that may not be obvious based on volumetric analyses alone, highlight the asymmetric aspects of ethanol-induced defects, and add to our understanding of ethanol's developmental stage-dependent neuroteratogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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O'Leary-Moore SK, Parnell SE, Godin EA, Sulik KK. Focus on: magnetic resonance-based studies of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in animal models. Alcohol Res Health 2011; 34:99-105. [PMID: 23580047 PMCID: PMC3860555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The imaging techniques magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provide valuable tools for studying brain structure and neurochemistry in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Although the application of magnetic resonance-based methodologies to the study of FASD in animal models is in its infancy, it already has provided new clinically relevant insights and holds significant promise to further extend our understanding of alcohol's effects on the developing fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shonagh K O'Leary-Moore
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Parnell SE, Sulik KK, Dehart DB, Chen SY. Reduction of ethanol-induced ocular abnormalities in mice through dietary administration of N-acetylcysteine. Alcohol 2010; 44:699-705. [PMID: 21112471 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2010.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2009] [Revised: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 05/12/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the amino acid l-cysteine, which, previously, has been shown to protect against ethanol-induced apoptosis during early development. Ongoing research demonstrates that NAC is also proving clinically beneficial in reducing oxidative stress-mediated lung, liver, and kidney damage, with protection likely resulting from a NAC-mediated increase in glutathione levels. In the present study, the hypothesis that coadministration of NAC and ethanol by means of liquid diet on days 7 and 8 of pregnancy in mice would reduce ethanol's teratogenicity was tested. For this work, adult nonpregnant female mice were acclimated to a liquid diet containing ethanol for 16 days, withdrawn from the ethanol, bred, and then returned to the liquid diet containing 4.8% ethanol and/or either 0.5 or 1-mg NAC/mL diet on their seventh and eighth days of pregnancy. At the concentrations used, the mice received NAC dosages of approximately 300 or 600 mg/kg/day and achieved peak blood ethanol concentrations (BEC) that averaged approximately 200mg/dL. There was no difference in BEC between the ethanol-alone and ethanol plus 600 mg/kg NAC group. After maternal euthanasia, gestational day (GD) 14 fetuses were removed, fixed, weighed, and examined for the presence and severity of ocular abnormalities, a readily assessed endpoint that results from GD 7 and 8 ethanol exposures. Although the lower dosage of NAC (300 mg/kg) resulted in a decrease in the incidence of ocular defects in both the left and right eyes, this reduction was not statistically significant. However, doubling the NAC concentration did yield a significant change; as compared with the group treated with ethanol alone, the incidence of ocular abnormalities was diminished by 22%. These results show the potential of an orally administered compound with proven clinical efficacy to reduce ethanol's teratogenic effects and support the premise that oxidative damage plays an important mechanistic role in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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O'Leary-Moore SK, Parnell SE, Godin EA, Dehart DB, Ament JJ, Khan AA, Johnson GA, Styner MA, Sulik KK. Magnetic resonance microscopy-based analyses of the brains of normal and ethanol-exposed fetal mice. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol 2010; 88:953-64. [PMID: 20842647 PMCID: PMC3445267 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) to the study of normal and abnormal prenatal mouse development has facilitated discovery of dysmorphology following prenatal ethanol insult. The current analyses extend this work, providing a regional brain volume-based description of normal brain growth and illustrating the consequences of gestational day (GD) 10 ethanol exposure in the fetal mouse. METHODS To assess normal growth, control C57Bl/6J fetuses collected on GD 16, GD 16.5, and GD 17 were scanned using a 9.4-T magnet, resulting in 29-μm isotropic resolution images. For the ethanol teratogenicity studies, C57Bl/6J dams were administered intraperitoneal ethanol (2.9 g/kg) at 10 days, 0 hr, and 10 days, 4 hr, after fertilization, and fetuses were collected for analyses on GD 17. From individual MRM scans, linear measurements and regional brain volumes were determined and compared. RESULTS In control fetuses, each of the assessed brain regions increased in volume, whereas ventricular volumes decreased between GD 16 and GD 17. Illustrating a global developmental delay, prenatal ethanol exposure resulted in reduced body volumes, crown-rump lengths, and a generalized decrease in regional brain volumes compared with GD 17 controls. However, compared with GD 16.5, morphologically matched controls, ethanol exposure resulted in volume increases in the lateral and third ventricles as well as a disproportionate reduction in cortical volume. CONCLUSIONS The normative data collected in this study facilitate the distinction between GD 10 ethanol-induced developmental delay and frank dysmorphology. This work illustrates the utility of MRM-based analyses for developmental toxicology studies and extends our knowledge of the stage-dependency of ethanol teratogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shonagh K O'Leary-Moore
- Fetal Toxicology Division,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178E, USA.
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Lipinski RJ, Godin EA, O'leary-Moore SK, Parnell SE, Sulik KK. Genesis of teratogen-induced holoprosencephaly in mice. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2010; 154C:29-42. [PMID: 20104601 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.30239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from mechanical, teratological, and genetic experimentation demonstrates that holoprosencephaly (HPE) typically results from insult prior to the time that neural tube closure is completed and occurs as a consequence of direct or indirect insult to the rostral prechordal cells that induce the forebrain or insult to the median forebrain tissue, itself. Here, we provide an overview of normal embryonic morphogenesis during the critical window for HPE induction, focusing on the morphology and positional relationship of the developing brain and subjacent prechordal plate and prechordal mesoderm cell populations. Subsequent morphogenesis of the HPE spectrum is then examined in selected teratogenesis mouse models. The temporal profile of Sonic Hedgehog expression in rostral embryonic cell populations and evidence for direct or indirect perturbation of the Hedgehog pathway by teratogenic agents in the genesis of HPE is highlighted. Emerging opportunities based on recent insights and new techniques to further characterize the mechanisms and pathogenesis of HPE are discussed.
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Godin EA, O'Leary-Moore SK, Khan AA, Parnell SE, Ament JJ, Dehart DB, Johnson BW, Allan Johnson G, Styner MA, Sulik KK. Magnetic resonance microscopy defines ethanol-induced brain abnormalities in prenatal mice: effects of acute insult on gestational day 7. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2010; 34:98-111. [PMID: 19860813 PMCID: PMC3506027 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.01071.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM)-based report is the second in a series designed to illustrate the spectrum of craniofacial and central nervous system (CNS) dysmorphia resulting from single- and multiple-day maternal ethanol treatment. The study described in this report examined the consequences of ethanol exposure on gestational day (GD) 7 in mice, a time in development when gastrulation and neural plate development begins; corresponding to the mid- to late third week postfertilization in humans. Acute GD 7 ethanol exposure in mice has previously been shown to result in CNS defects consistent with holoprosencephaly (HPE) and craniofacial anomalies typical of those in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). MRM has facilitated further definition of the range of GD 7 ethanol-induced defects. METHODS C57Bl/6J female mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered vehicle or 2 injections of 2.9 g/kg ethanol on day 7 of pregnancy. Stage-matched control and ethanol-exposed GD 17 fetuses selected for imaging were immersion fixed in a Bouins/Prohance solution. MRM was conducted at either 7.0 Tesla (T) or 9.4 T. Resulting 29 microm isotropic spatial resolution scans were segmented and reconstructed to provide 3D images. Linear and volumetric brain measures, as well as morphological features, were compared for control and ethanol-exposed fetuses. Following MRM, selected specimens were processed for routine histology and light microscopic examination. RESULTS Gestational day 7 ethanol exposure resulted in a spectrum of median facial and forebrain deficiencies, as expected. This range of abnormalities falls within the HPE spectrum; a spectrum for which facial dysmorphology is consistent with and typically is predictive of that of the forebrain. In addition, other defects including median facial cleft, cleft palate, micrognathia, pituitary agenesis, and third ventricular dilatation were identified. MRM analyses also revealed cerebral cortical dysplasia/heterotopias resulting from this acute, early insult and facilitated a subsequent focused histological investigation of these defects. CONCLUSIONS Individual MRM scans and 3D reconstructions of fetal mouse brains have facilitated demonstration of a broad range of GD 7 ethanol-induced morphological abnormality. These results, including the discovery of cerebral cortical heterotopias, elucidate the teratogenic potential of ethanol insult during the third week of human prenatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Godin
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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Parnell SE, O'Leary-Moore SK, Godin EA, Dehart DB, Johnson BW, Allan Johnson G, Styner MA, Sulik KK. Magnetic resonance microscopy defines ethanol-induced brain abnormalities in prenatal mice: effects of acute insult on gestational day 8. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2009; 33:1001-11. [PMID: 19302087 PMCID: PMC2748865 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.00921.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at microscopic levels, provides unprecedented opportunities to aid in defining the full spectrum of ethanol's insult to the developing brain. This is the first in a series of reports that, collectively, will provide an MRM-based atlas of developmental stage-dependent structural brain abnormalities in a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) mouse model. The ethanol exposure time and developmental stage examined for this report is gestational day (GD) 8 in mice, when the embryos are at early neurulation stages; stages present in humans early in the fourth week postfertilization. METHODS For this study, pregnant C57Bl/6J mice were administered an ethanol dosage of 2.8 g/kg intraperitoneally at 8 days, 0 hour and again at 8 days, 4 hours postfertilization. On GD 17, fetuses that were selected for MRM analyses were immersion fixed in a Bouin's/Prohance solution. Control fetuses from vehicle-treated dams were stage-matched to those that were ethanol-exposed. The fetal mice were scanned ex vivo at 7.0 T and 512 x 512 x 1024 image arrays were acquired using 3-D spin warp encoding. The resulting 29 microm (isotropic) resolution images were processed using ITK-SNAP, a 3-D segmentation/visualization tool. Linear and volume measurements were determined for selected brain, head, and body regions of each specimen. Comparisons were made between control and treated fetuses, with an emphasis on determining (dis)proportionate changes in specific brain regions. RESULTS As compared with controls, the crown-rump lengths of stage-matched ethanol-exposed GD 17 fetuses were significantly reduced, as were brain and whole body volumes. Volume reductions were notable in every brain region examined, with the exception of the pituitary and septal region, and were accompanied by increased ventricular volumes. Disproportionate regional brain volume reductions were most marked on the right side and were significant for the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and cerebellum; the latter being the most severely affected. Additionally, the septal region and the pituitary were disproportionately large. Linear measures were consistent with those of volume. Other dysmorphologic features noted in the MR scans were choanal stenosis and optic nerve coloboma. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that exposure to ethanol occurring in mice at stages corresponding to the human fourth week postfertilization results in structural brain abnormalities that are readily identifiable at fetal stages of development. In addition to illustrating the utility of MR microscopy for analysis of an FASD mouse model, this work provides new information that confirms and extends human clinical observations. It also provides a framework for comparison of structural brain abnormalities resulting from ethanol exposure at other developmental stages and dosages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- The Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7178, USA.
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Parnell SE, Chen SY, Charness ME, Hodge CW, Dehart DB, Sulik KK. Concurrent dietary administration of D-SAL and ethanol diminishes ethanol's teratogenesis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2007; 31:2059-64. [PMID: 17949468 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2007.00524.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SAL (SALLRSIPA) is a peptide fragment of activity-dependent neurotrophic factor. Both L- and D-SAL diminish ethanol's pathogenesis, however, the D-peptide is protease resistant, and can therefore be effectively administered in a diet. The present study tested the hypothesis that D-SAL provided in a liquid diet containing ethanol will prevent ethanol-induced teratogenicity in mice. METHODS Following an ethanol acclimation period, female C57Bl/6J mice were withdrawn from the ethanol, bred, and then returned during gestational days (GD) 7 and 8 to a control liquid diet or one containing 4.8% ethanol alone or in combination with 5.6 microg/ml D-SAL. At these doses, the mice received approximately 75 microg of D-SAL on each day and achieved peak blood-alcohol concentrations on GD 8 that ranged from 148-162 mg/dl. On GD 14, the fetuses were examined for the presence of ocular abnormalities including microphthalmia and irregularly shaped pupils, teratogenic effects known to result from this ethanol exposure paradigm. RESULTS Dietary D-SAL reduced the incidence of ocular defects in ethanol-exposed fetuses from 29 to 10% in the right eyes and from 21 to 7.5% in the left eyes; levels similar to those observed in pair-fed controls. In addition to decreasing their incidence, D-SAL also reduced the severity of the ocular defects. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that oral D-SAL can prevent ethanol-induced ocular defects. Because ocular defects are commonly associated with CNS damage, oral D-SAL may also prove valuable in preventing ethanol-induced brain defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
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Parnell SE, Ramadoss J, Delp MD, Ramsey MW, Chen WJA, West JR, Cudd TA. Chronic ethanol increases fetal cerebral blood flow specific to the ethanol-sensitive cerebellum under normoxaemic, hypercapnic and acidaemic conditions: ovine model. Exp Physiol 2007; 92:933-43. [PMID: 17526556 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2007.038091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral hypoxia has been proposed as a mechanism by which prenatal ethanol exposure causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in children, but no study had tested this hypothesis using a chronic exposure model that mimicks a common human exposure pattern. Pregnant sheep were exposed to ethanol, 0.75 or 1.75 g kg(-1) (to create blood ethanol concentrations of 85 and 185 mg dl(-1), respectively), or saline 3 days per week in succession (a 'binge drinking' model) from gestational day (GD) 109 until GD 132. Fetuses were instrumented on GD 119-120 and studied on GD 132. The 1.75 g kg(-1) dose resulted in a significant increase in fetal biventricular output (measured by radiolabelled microsphere technique) and heart rate, and a reduction of mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance at 1 h, the end of ethanol infusion. The arterial partial pressure of CO(2) was increased, arterial pH was decreased and arterial partial pressure of O(2) did not change. Fetal whole-brain blood flow increased by 37% compared with the control group at 1 h, resulting in increased cerebral oxygen delivery. The elevation in brain blood flow was region specific, occurring preferentially in the ethanol-sensitive cerebellum, increasing by 44% compared with the control group at 1 h. There were no changes in the lower dose group. Assessment of regional differences in the teratogenic effects of ethanol by stereological cell-counting technique showed a reduced number of cerebellar Purkinje cells in response to the 1.75 g kg(-1) dose compared with the control brains. However, no such differences in neuronal numbers were observed in the hippocampus or the olfactory bulb. We conclude that repeated exposure to moderate doses of ethanol during the third trimester alters fetal cerebral vascular function and increases blood flow in brain regions that are vulnerable to ethanol in the presence of acidaemia and hypercapnia, and in the absence of hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Parnell SE, Dehart DB, Wills TA, Chen SY, Hodge CW, Besheer J, Waage-Baudet HG, Charness ME, Sulik KK. Maternal oral intake mouse model for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: ocular defects as a measure of effect. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2006; 30:1791-8. [PMID: 17010146 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00212.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This work was conducted in an effort to establish an oral intake model system in which the effects of ethanol insult that occur during early stages of embryogenesis can be easily examined and in which agents that may modulate ethanol's teratogenicity can be readily tested in vivo. The model system described utilizes the alcohol deprivation effect to obtain teratogenic levels of maternal ethanol intake on days 7 and 8 of pregnancy in C57Bl/6J mice. Ocular defects including microphthalmia and uveal coloboma, which have previously been shown to result from ethanol administered by gavage or via intraperitoneal injection on these days, served as the developmental end point for this study. The ocular defects are readily identifiable and their degree of severity is expected to correlate with concurrently developing defects of the central nervous system (CNS). METHODS Female C57Bl/6J mice were maintained on an ethanol-containing (4.8% v/v) liquid diet for 14 days and then mated during a subsequent abstinence period. Mice were then reexposed to ethanol on days 7 and 8 of pregnancy only. Control as well as ethanol-exposed dams were killed on their 14th day of pregnancy. Fetuses were then weighed, measured for crown rump length, photographed, and analyzed for ocular abnormalities. Globe size, palpebral fissure length, and pupil size and shape were noted for both the right and left eyes of all fetuses and informative comparisons were made. RESULTS This exposure paradigm resulted in peak maternal blood alcohol concentrations that ranged from 170 to 220 mg/dL on gestational day (GD) 8. Compared with the GD 14 fetuses from the normal control group, the pair-fed, acquisition controls, as well as the ethanol-exposed fetuses, were developmentally delayed and had reduced weights. Confirming previous studies, comparison of similarly staged control and treated GD 8 embryos illustrated reductions in the size of the forebrain in the latter. Subsequent ocular malformations were noted in 33% of the right eyes and 25% of the left eyes of the 103 GD 14 ethanol-exposed fetuses examined. This incidence of defects is twice that observed in the control groups. Additionally, it was found that the palpebral fissure length is directly correlated with globe size. CONCLUSIONS The high incidence of readily identifiable ocular malformations produced by oral ethanol intake in this model and their relevance to human fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) makes this an excellent system for utilization in experiments involving factors administered to the embryo that might alter ethanol's teratogenic effects. Additionally, the fact that early ethanol insult yields ocular and forebrain abnormalities that are developmentally associated allows efficient specimen selection for subsequent detailed analyses of CNS effects in this in vivo mammalian FASD model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In spite of the fact that drinking and smoking often occur together, little is known about the pharmacokinetic interaction between alcohol and nicotine. Previous research in neonatal rats demonstrated that nicotine reduces blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) if alcohol and nicotine are administered simultaneously. However, it is unclear whether such a phenomenon can be observed in adult subjects, given the fact that there is an ontogenetic difference in alcohol metabolism. METHODS A range of nicotine doses (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg) were administered individually with an alcohol dose (4 g/kg) via intragastric (IG) intubation to adult female rats, and the resultant BACs were measured at various time points following drug administration. Furthermore, the hypothesis that nicotine's role in reducing BACs is mediated through factors related to gastric function was examined by comparing the resultant BACs after an IG intubation or intraperitoneal (IP) injection of alcohol. RESULTS The results from this study showed significant nicotine dose-related decreases in BACs with 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg doses of nicotine at the various time points assessed. This effect, however, occurred only when alcohol was administered via IG intubation, but not after an IP injection of alcohol. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the nicotine-induced decrease in BAC may be related to gastric function. One possible explanation was related to nicotine's action in delaying gastric emptying. The longer the alcohol was retained in the stomach, the more likely that the alcohol would be metabolized by gastric alcohol dehydrogenase before its absorption into the bloodstream by the small intestine (the major site of alcohol absorption).
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Parnell
- Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, The Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, Texas 77843-1114, USA
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Abstract
Nicotine affects functions of the central nervous system. A previous study showed that developing cerebellar Purkinje cells are targets for early postnatal nicotine exposure. In this study, we assessed the effects of long-term nicotine exposure on mature cerebellar Purkinje cells. This is particularly relevant since the majority of smokers are exposed to nicotine over a long period. Female adult Sprague-Dawley rats received three doses of nicotine (0.01%, 0.03%, or 0.06%) through their sole water source. After 8 weeks of nicotine exposure, the cerebellar vermis was removed and processed for stereological cell counting. The results showed that this long-term nicotine treatment did not change the cerebellum weight or the size (volume) of the cerebellar vermis. The long-term nicotine treatment regimen did result in a significant loss of mature Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, however, such a loss of Purkinje cells was not nicotine dose-related. These findings indicated that the mature adult cerebellum is susceptible to the damaging effects of nicotine in depleting Purkinje cells in the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jung A Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Neurobiology, College of Medicine, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, 240 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA.
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Abstract
It is important to select an appropriate model system for studies examining the mechanisms of ethanol-induced injury. The most common model systems use either mice or rats with ethanol administered by means of intragastric gavage or intraperitoneal injection, yet few studies have compared directly the blood ethanol concentration (BEC) profiles that result from each of these model systems. In the current study, Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6J mice were given ethanol by means of intragastric gavage or intraperitoneal injection at 40 days of age. Blood samples were collected at consistent time intervals to determine BECs. Blood ethanol concentrations in mice were sharper, with a more rapid rise to a sharp peak BEC, followed by a relatively rapid decline. In contrast, rat BEC profiles showed an initial rapid rise, followed by a more gradual rise to peak concentrations, and, then, a relatively gradual decline. This difference was particularly evident in rats receiving ethanol intragastrically. The differences found in BEC profiles between rats and mice and between ethanol administration paradigms may yield differences in the extent or mechanism of damage induced by ethanol, an important consideration when selecting an appropriate model for the investigation of ethanol-induced tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Livy
- Division of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 5.01 Medical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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Chen WJA, Maier SE, Parnell SE, West JR. Alcohol and the developing brain: neuroanatomical studies. Alcohol Res Health 2003; 27:174-80. [PMID: 15303628 PMCID: PMC6668892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
One of the distinguishing features of prenatal alcohol exposure is impaired cognitive and behavioral function resulting from damage to the central nervous system. Information available from the small number of autopsied cases in humans indicates that the offspring of mothers who abused alcohol during pregnancy have various neuroanatomical alterations ranging from gross reductions in brain size to cellular alterations. Recent neuroimaging technology provides the most powerful tool for assessing the neurotoxic effects of fetal alcohol exposure in living organisms and for exploring the relationship between behavioral dysfunction and brain damage at the regional level. Recently, animal research has suggested that the damaging effects of alcohol exposure during brain development could be prevented or attenuated by various pharmacological manipulations or by complex motor training. These promising findings provide directions for developing future prevention or intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jung A Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Neurobiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, USA
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West JR, Parnell SE, Chen WJA, Cudd TA. Alcohol-Mediated Purkinje Cell Loss in the Absence of Hypoxemia During the Third Trimester in an Ovine Model System. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2001. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2001.tb02316.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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West JR, Parnell SE, Chen WJ, Cudd TA. Alcohol-mediated Purkinje cell loss in the absence of hypoxemia during the third trimester in an ovine model system. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2001; 25:1051-7. [PMID: 11505032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the mechanisms that underlie fetal alcohol-induced neuronal loss have not been determined, hypoxia/hypoxemia has been considered a leading candidate. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that neuronal loss could occur in the developing brain in the absence of fetal hypoxemia. METHODS Three groups of pregnant sheep were used: a control group, a binge-drinking group, and a pair-fed group. The alcohol and pair-fed animals were anesthetized on day 113 of pregnancy, and the mothers and fetuses were instrumented with arterial and venous catheters. All animals were killed on day 133. Stereological cell counting techniques were used to estimate the total number of Purkinje cells in the fetal cerebellum. RESULTS Peak maternal and fetal blood alcohol concentrations did not produce fetal hypoxemia. Nevertheless, there was a 25% loss of Purkinje cells of the cerebellum in the alcohol-exposed fetuses compared with that in the pair-fed controls. The loss of neurons was not accompanied by microencephaly or a concomitant decrease in either cerebellar weight or volume of the fetal cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS Neuronal loss can be observed after alcohol exposure during the third trimester equivalent in fetal sheep in the absence of alcohol-induced hypoxemia. Furthermore, cell loss in the absence of deficits in gross brain weight or regional brain volume indicates that the lack of gross brain volume deficits from magnetic resonance imaging techniques is not a reliable indication that the brain is unaffected by the alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R West
- Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Neurobiology, College of Medicine, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, College Station, Texas 77843-1114, USA.
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Cudd TA, Chen WJA, Parnell SE, West JR. Third Trimester Binge Ethanol Exposure Results in Fetal Hypercapnea and Acidemia but Not Hypoxemia in Pregnant Sheep. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2001. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2001.tb02208.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Cudd TA, Chen WJ, Parnell SE, West JR. Third trimester binge ethanol exposure results in fetal hypercapnea and acidemia but not hypoxemia in pregnant sheep. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2001; 25:269-76. [PMID: 11236842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms by which maternal ethanol abuse during pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental injury in the fetus are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to use a chronically instrumented fetal sheep model system to determine if a binge pattern of ethanol exposure administered throughout the third trimester reduced fetal arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2); a positive finding would support the hypothesis that fetal hypoxemia may play a role in mediating ethanol-related birth defects. METHODS Pregnant ewes received saline or 0.75, 1.25, 1.5, or 1.75 g/kg of ethanol intravenously over 1 hr beginning on day 109 of gestation (term = 145 days) for 3 consecutive days per week followed by 4 days without exposure. The fetuses were surgically instrumented on day 113, and experiments were performed on days 118 or 132, the 6th and the 12th ethanol exposure, respectively. RESULTS Ethanol infusions resulted in peak blood ethanol concentrations of 80.8 +/- 6.5, 182.5 +/- 13.5, 224.4 +/- 13.9, and 260.6 +/- 20.0 mg/dl +/- SEM (maternal) and 70.0 +/- 5.9, 149.7 +/- 9.0, 216.9 +/- 14.0, and 233.3 +/- 19.8 mg/dl +/- SEM (fetal) in response to the 0.75, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 g/kg doses, respectively. Maternal and fetal heart rate and maternal blood pressure increased whereas fetal blood pressure decreased in a dose-dependent manner in response to ethanol infusions. Maternal and fetal arterial pH decreased and arterial partial pressures of carbon dioxide increased in response to ethanol infusions. Maternal PaO2 decreased whereas fetal PaO2 did not change in response to ethanol infusions. CONCLUSIONS A binge ethanol exposure paradigm, three consecutive days per week throughout the third trimester at ethanol doses that created blood ethanol concentrations commonly achieved by human ethanol abusers, resulted in changes in maternal and fetal heart rate, changes in blood pressure, hypercapnea, acidemia, and maternal, but not fetal, hypoxemia. We conclude that in an ovine model system, ethanol doses that create blood ethanol concentrations as high as 260 mg/dl do not result in fetal hypoxemia. Remaining issues to address with this model system are whether neurodevelopmental injuries that are associated with maternal ethanol abuse are mediated by a reduction in fetal cerebral blood flow, fetal hypercapnea, or acidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Cudd
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A & M University, College Station 77843-4466, USA.
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Chen WA, Parnell SE, West JR. Early postnatal alcohol exposure produced long-term deficits in brain weight, but not the number of neurons in the locus coeruleus. Brain Res Dev Brain Res 1999; 118:33-8. [PMID: 10611501 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-3806(99)00128-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC), a small nucleus in the pontine tegmentum with clusters of norepinephrine (NE) containing neurons, projects to more brain regions than any other nucleus in the central nervous system. Therefore, any neuroanatomical deficits in the LC may have wide-ranging functional implications. Previous studies have shown that heavy alcohol exposure during development can damage several brain regions receiving extensive innervation from the LC (e.g., cerebellum and olfactory bulb). In this study, we examined the effects of early alcohol exposure during development on neuronal numbers in the LC of the adult rat. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were reared using artificial rearing techniques during the brain growth spurt period (part of the third trimester equivalent). The pups in the alcohol group received 4.5 g/kg per day in two of their 12 daily feedings from postnatal days (PDs) 4-9. Gastrostomy and suckle control groups were also included. On PD 90, the animals were sacrificed and their brains were processed for stereological cell counting. Whole brain weight, the number of neurons in the LC, the volume and neuronal density of the LC were assessed. There was a significant reduction in whole brain weight of the alcohol group compared with that of the gastrostomy control group, demonstrating a long lasting effect of alcohol on overall brain growth. Nevertheless, there were no differences in neuronal number, density and volume of the LC between alcohol and gastrostomy groups. Results were discussed in relation to the issues of temporal and regional vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- W A Chen
- Alcohol and Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Neurobiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA.
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Chen WJA, Parnell SE, West JR. Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine on Developing Olfactory Bulb: Loss of Mitral Cells and Alterations in Neurotransmitter Levels. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1999. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1999.tb04019.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Chen WJ, Parnell SE, West JR. Effects of alcohol and nicotine on developing olfactory bulb: loss of mitral cells and alterations in neurotransmitter levels. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1999; 23:18-25. [PMID: 10029199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Previous research from our laboratory has shown that [ethanol (EtOH)] exposure during the brain growth spurt is detrimental to olfactory bulb development. This study extends those findings by examining the effects of EtOH, nicotine (NIC), and the combination of these drugs (EtOH/NIC) on olfactory bulb mitral cell numbers, as well as on various major neurotransmitter levels in neonatal rats. An artificial rearing paradigm was used in the present studies. These artificially reared pups were given 4 g/kg/day of EtOH and/or 6 mg/kg/day of NIC on postnatal day (PD) 4 to PD 9, except in the case of the acute neurochemistry study, in which the pups received treatment on PD 9 only. An artificially reared gastrostomy control group (GC) and a suckle control group were included. The mean total numbers of mitral cells in the EtOH and NIC groups were significantly reduced from that of the GC, as well as the volume of the left main olfactory bulb. There was no difference among any of the groups in mitral cell density. As for neurochemistry data, there was no difference in neurotransmitter levels among any of the groups in the repeat exposure regimen. There were, however, changes after the acute exposure (exposure on PD 9 only). Both serotonin and GABA levels were significantly increased only after NIC exposure. However, norepinephrine levels were significantly decreased after acute exposure in all three drug treatment groups, compared with that of the control group. Except for the GC control group, dopamine levels were not detected consistently after acute exposure to EtOH, NIC, or EtOH/NIC. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that exposure to EtOH or NIC individually during the brain growth spurt results in developmental deficits in the olfactory bulb, suggesting that both EtOH and NIC are neuroteratogens. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the capability of NIC to antagonize (protect) EtOH-induced mitral cell loss in the developing olfactory bulb.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Neurobiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station 77843-1114, USA
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Abstract
The present study examined the effects of coexposure of alcohol and nicotine during the brain growth spurt period on brain weights and cerebellar Purkinje cell numbers. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly assigned into five groups (four artificially reared groups and one suckle control). Artificially reared pups were given alcohol (0 or 4 g/kg/day) and/or nicotine (0 or 6 mg/kg/day) daily from postnatal days (PDs) 4 to 9, and the suckle controls received no experimental treatments. The results are summarized below. (1) Surprisingly, nicotine reduced the peak blood alcohol concentration from about 300 to 230 mg/dl, but alcohol did not affect urine cotinine levels (approximately 12,000-13,000 ng/ml). (2) Alcohol significantly reduced the weights of forebrain, cerebellum, and brain stem, but nicotine limited only the growth of the forebrain. (3) Purkinje cell numbers in the cerebellar vermis were significantly reduced in response to alcohol, nicotine, and the combination of both drugs. (4) No statistically significant interactive effect was found following the cotreatment of alcohol and nicotine. Collectively, the present study replicated our previous findings demonstrating alcohol's detrimental effects on brain development; it also presented new evidence documenting nicotine's neuroteratogenic effects on restricting brain growth and depleting cerebellar Purkinje cells during the brain growth spurt.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy & Medical Neurobiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station 77843-1114, USA
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