scholarly journals Adverse Maternal Environment Alters MicroRNA-10b-5p Expression and Its Epigenetic Profile Concurrently with Impaired Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Male Mouse Hippocampus

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Xingrao Ke ◽  
Yingliu Huang ◽  
Qi Fu ◽  
Robert H. Lane ◽  
Amber Majnik

An adverse maternal environment (AME) predisposes adult offspring toward cognitive impairment in humans and mice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Epigenetic changes in response to environmental exposure may be critical drivers of this change. Epigenetic regulators, including microRNAs, have been shown to affect cognitive function by altering hippocampal neurogenesis which is regulated in part by brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). We sought to investigate the effects of AME on miR profile and their epigenetic characteristics, as well as neurogenesis and BDNF expression in mouse hippocampus. Using our mouse model of AME which is composed of maternal Western diet and prenatal environmental stress, we found that AME significantly increased hippocampal miR-10b-5p levels. We also found that AME significantly decreased DNA methylation and increased accumulations of active histone marks H3 lysine (K) 4me3, H3K14ac, and ­H3K36me3 at miR-10b promoter. Furthermore, AME significantly decreased hippocampal neurogenesis by decreasing cell numbers of Ki67<sup>+</sup> (proliferation marker), NeuroD1<sup>+</sup> (neuronal differentiation marker), and NeuN<sup>+</sup> (mature neuronal marker) in the dentate gyrus (DG) region concurrently with decreased hippocampal BDNF protein levels. We speculate that the changes in epigenetic profile at miR-10b promoter may contribute to upregulation of miR-10b-5p and subsequently lead to decreased BDNF levels in a model of impaired offspring hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in mice.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mosha Cheng ◽  
Qing Zhou

As a histone methyltransferase, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), suppresses osteoblast maturation and is involved in inflammation. However, the role of EZH2 in human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) under inflammation still needs to be further investigated. This study aimed to identify the underlying mechanisms and explore the function of EZH2 in PDLSC osteogenesis under inflammation. PDLSCs were treated with sh-EZH2, DZNep or DKK1 under inflammation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, and osteogenesis-related protein levels were analyzed. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation restrained osteogenic differentiation. Under inflammation, the upregulation of EZH2 suppressed the expression of osteogenic markers, including osteocalcin, runt-related transcription factor 2, and bone morphogenetic protein-2, the activity of ALP, and the accumulation of mineralization through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. EZH2 knockdown inhibited the levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. These results suggested that LPS-induced overexpression of EZH2 suppressed PDLSC osteogenesis under inflammatory conditions through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These findings give new insights into the physiological differentiation and pathological inflammation of PDLSC osteogenesis, and provide an underlying therapeutic target for periodontitis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 274-283
Author(s):  
Bo Zheng ◽  
Tao Chen

AbstractAmong astrocyte tumors, glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant glioma, highly aggressive and invasive, with extremely poor prognosis. Previous research has reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the progression of many cancers. Thus, this study aimed to explore the role and the underlying mechanisms of microRNA (miR)-489-3p in GBM progression. The expression of miR-489-3p and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis was used to detect BDNF protein and the PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were analyzed using CKK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay, respectively. The interaction between BDNF and miR-489-3p was explored by luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. MiR-489-3p was down-regulated and BDNF was up-regulated in GBM tissues and cells. MiR-489-3p re-expression or BDNF knockdown inhibited GBM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. BDNF was a target of miR-489-3p, and BDNF up-regulation reversed the effects of miR-489-3p on GBM cells. The protein levels of p-AKT and p-PI3K were notably reduced in GBM cells by overexpression of miR-489-3p, but were rescued following BDNF up-regulation. Therefore, miR-489-3p inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced apoptosis, by targeting the BDNF-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway in GBM, providing new strategies for clinical treatment of GBM.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Jie Kang ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
Yongchang Duan ◽  
Lin Zhai ◽  
Lin Shi ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Depression is one of the overwhelming public health problems. Alleviating hippocampus injury may prevent depression development. Herein, we established the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and aimed to investigate whether aerobic exercise (AE) could alleviate CUMS induced depression-like behaviors and hippocampus injury. (2) Methods: Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 ± 20 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (control, CUMS, CUMS + 7 days AE, CUMS + 14 days AE). Rats with AE treatments were subjected to 45 min treadmill per day. (3) Results: AE intervention significantly improved CUMS-induced depressive behaviors, e.g., running square numbers and immobility time assessed by the open field and forced swimming test, suppressed hippocampal neuron apoptosis, reduced levels of phosphorylation of NMDA receptor and homocysteine in hippocampus, as well as serum glucocorticoids, compared to the CUMS rats. In contrast, AE upregulated phosphorylation of AMPAR receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) hippocampus in CUMS depression rats. The 14 day-AE treatment exhibited better performance than 7 day-AE on the improvement of the hippocampal function. (4) Conclusion: AE might be an efficient strategy for prevention of CUMS-induced depression via ameliorating hippocampus functions. Underlying mechanisms may be related with glutamatergic system, the neurotoxic effects of homocysteine, and/or influences in glucocorticoids-BDNF expression interaction.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Luo ◽  
Yukun Zhang ◽  
Guangmei Qin ◽  
Bing Jiang ◽  
Lili Miao

Abstract Background MCM3AP-AS1 is a recently characterized lncRNA playing an oncogenic role in several cancers. However, its role in lung cancer remains unknown. Here, we aimed to explore the functions of MCM3AP-AS1 in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and the possible underlying mechanisms. Methods MCM3AP-AS1 and ROCK1 levels in SCLC patients were analyzed by qPCR. RNA pull-down and luciferase assays were performed to analyze the interaction between MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-148a. ROCK1 mRNA and protein levels were detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell invasion and migration were analyzed by Transwell assays. Results MCM3AP-AS1 was upregulated in patients with SCLC, and a high MCM3AP-AS1 level was accompanied by a low survival rate. The binding of MCM3AP-AS1 to miR-148a predicted by bioinformatics analysis was verified by RNA pull-down and luciferase assays. However, MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-148a did not affect each other’s expression. ROCK1 was upregulated in SCLC tissues and positively correlated with MCM3AP-AS1. In SCLC cells, MCM3AP-AS1 overexpression increased ROCK1 and promoted cancer cell invasion and migration, while miR-148a overexpression showed the opposite effects and attenuated the effects of MCM3AP-AS1 overexpression on ROCK1 expression and cell behaviors. Conclusions MCM3AP-AS1 sponges miR-148a, thereby increasing SCLC cell invasion and migration via upregulating ROCK1 expression.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-315
Author(s):  
Jie Song ◽  
Cheng Chen ◽  
Hui Zhang

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and inflammatory disease, leading to pain or even disability in severe cases. LncRNA PCGEM1 (PCGEM1) is reported to be dysregulated, serving as critical regulators in various human diseases, including OA. However, the biological role of PCGEM1 and its underlying mechanisms during OA remained unclear. In the present study, CHON-001 cells were exposed to interleukin (IL)-1β to construct the OA cell model. Expression of PCGEM1 and miR-152-3p in cells was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Corresponding commercial kits were used to measure the expressions of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), inter-leukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins, cleaved-Caspase3 and Caspase3, were detected by Western blotting. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium (MTT) and flow cytometry assays were utilized for the determination of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The association between PCGEN1 and miR-152-3p was confirmed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. From the results, PCGEM1 expression was significantly increased while miR-152-3p was inhibited in CHON-001 cells after IL-1β treatment. In addition, silencing of PCGEM1 could promote proliferation, inhibit the apoptosis, suppress LDH level and alleviate inflammation response caused by IL-1β in CHON-001 cells by sponging miR-152-3p. In a word, PCGEM1 down-regulation suppressed OA progression by the regulation of miR-152-3p expression, functioning as a potential therapeutic target for OA clinical treatment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Changwon Kho ◽  
Ahyoung Lee ◽  
Dongtak Jeong ◽  
Jae Gyun Oh ◽  
Antoine Chaanine ◽  
...  

Background: The cardiac calcium ATPase, SERCA2a, is a critical pump responsible for Ca2+ re-uptake during excitation-contraction coupling. Impaired Ca2+ uptake resulting from decreased expression and reduced activity of SERCA2a is a hallmark of heart failure. Accordingly, restoration of SERCA2a expression by gene transfer has proved to be effective in improving cardiac function in heart-failure patients, as well as in animal models. However, the underlying mechanisms of SERCA2a’s dysfunction remain incompletely understood. Methods and Results: In this study, we show that SERCA2a is modified by SUMO1 at lysine sites 480 and 585 and that this SUMOylation is essential for preserving SERCA2a ATPase activity and stability in mouse and human cells. SUMO1 and SERCA2a SUMOylation levels were both decreased in mouse and pig models of heart failure and failing human left ventricles. To determine whether reduced SUMO1 levels are responsible for reduced SERCA2a protein levels and reduced cardiac function, we used an adenovirus associated virus-mediated gene delivery approach to up-regulate SUMO1 in trans aortic constriction-induced mouse model of heart failure. We found that increasing SUMO1 levels led to a restoration of SERCA2a levels, improved hemodynamic performance, and reduced mouse mortality. By contrast, down-regulation of SUMO1 using small hairpin RNA accelerated cardiac functional deterioration and was accompanied by decreased SERCA2a function. Conclusion: In this study, we study a new mechanism for modulation of SERCA2a activity and beneficial effects of SUMO1 in the setting of heart failure. It suggests that changes in post-translational modifications of SERCA2a could negatively affect cardiac function in heart failure. Our data may provide a new platform for the design of therapeutic strategies for heart failure.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Alves Stanquini ◽  
Caroline Biojone ◽  
Francisco Silveira Guimarães ◽  
Sâmia Regiane Joca

BackgroundNitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors induce antidepressant-like effects in animal models sensitive to acute drug treatment such as the forced swimming test. However, it is not yet clear if repeated treatment with these drugs is required to induce antidepressant-like effects in preclinical models.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to test the effect induced by acute or repeated (7 days) treatment with 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a preferential inhibitor of neuronal NOS, in rats submitted to the learned helplessness (LH) model. In addition, we aimed at investigating if 7-NI treatment would increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels in the hippocampus, similarly to the effect of prototype antidepressants.MethodsAnimals were submitted to a pre-test (PT) session with inescapable footshocks or habituation (no shocks) to the experimental shuttle box. Six days later they were exposed to a test with escapable footshocks. Independent groups received acute (a single injection after PT or before test) or repeated (once a day for 7 days) treatment with vehicle or 7-NI (30 mg/kg).ResultsRepeated, but not acute, treatment with 7-NI attenuated LH development. The effect was similar to repeated imipramine treatment. Moreover, in an independent experimental group, only repeated treatment with 7-NI and imipramine increased BDNF protein levels in the hippocampus.ConclusionThe results suggest the nitrergic system could be a target for the treatment of depressive-like conditions. They also indicate that, similar to the positive control imipramine, the antidepressant-like effects of NOS inhibition could involve an increase in hippocampal BDNF levels.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Bombaci ◽  
Mayuresh A Sarangdhar ◽  
Nicola Andina ◽  
Aubry Tardivel ◽  
Eric Chi-Wang Yu ◽  
...  

Inflammasomes are cytosolic innate immune sensors that, upon activation, induce caspase-1 mediated inflammation. Although inflammation is protective, uncontrolled excessive inflammation can cause inflammatory diseases and is also detrimental in COVID-19 infection. However, the underlying mechanisms that control inflammasome activation are incompletely understood. Here we report that the leucine rich repeat (LRR) protein Ribonuclease inhibitor (RNH1), which shares homology with LRRs of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain (PYD)-containing (NLRP) proteins, attenuates inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, RNH1 decreased pro-IL1b expression and induced proteasome-mediated caspase-1 degradation. Corroborating this, mouse models of monosodium urate (MSU)-induced peritonitis and LPS-induced endotoxemia, which are dependent on caspase-1, respectively showed increased neutrophil infiltration and lethality in Rnh1-/- mice compared to WT mice. Further, RNH1 protein levels were negatively correlated with inflammation and disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We propose that RNH1 is a new inflammasome regulator with relevance to COVID-19 severity.


Author(s):  
Sawsan Aboul-fotouh ◽  
Doaa Mohamed Hassan ◽  
Mohamed Zaki Eldeen Habib ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim Amin ◽  
Samar K. Kassim ◽  
...  

  Objective: Depression and diabetes are closely associated in a reciprocal manner, leading to significant morbidity and mortality with an evidence of a pro-inflammatory state underlying pathophysiology of both diseases. Unfortunately, little information is available about the effects of antidepressant drugs on hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) expression in diabetes.Methods: We investigated the effect of chronic administration of fluoxetine (FLU) and imipramine (IMIP) on behavioral, metabolic, and inflammatory abnormalities in diabetic and non-diabetic rats exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS).Results: Both diabetes and CRS induced depressive-like behavior which was more prominent in diabetic/depressed rats; this was reversed by chronic treatment with FLU and IMIP. Diabetic and non-diabetic rats exposed to CRS showed a significant increase in hippocampal expression of TLR-4 and pro-inflammatory cytokines alongside a decrease in BDNF expression. FLU and IMIP ameliorated these inflammatory abnormalities.Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic stress induced a depressive-like behavior associated with an increase in hippocampal expression of TLR-4, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1ß with a significant correlation to decreased BDNF expression. FLU and IMIP showed comparable effects regards the improvement of depressive and inflammatory abnormalities associated with DM.


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