Journal of Neuroendocrinology
Prengel, T;Brunne, B;Habiballa, M;Rune, G;
| DOI: 10.1111/jne.13276
Microglia have been shown to sculpt postnatal circuitry from birth, up to adulthood due to their role in both synapse formation and synaptic pruning, the elimination of weak, redundant synapses. Microglia are differentiated in a sex-dependent manner. In this study, we tested whether sexual differentiation of microglia results in sex-dependent postnatal reorganization of CA1 synaptic connectivity in the hippocampus. The stereological counting of synapses in mice in the electron microscope showed a continuous rise in synapse density until the fourth week, followed by a plateau phase and loss of synapses from the eighth week onwards, with no difference between sexes. This course of alteration in synapse numbers did not differ between sexes. But selectively, on postnatal day (P) 14 the density of synapses was significantly higher in the female than in the male hippocampus. Higher synapse density in females was paralleled by higher activity of microglia, as indicated by morphological changes, CD68 expression, and proximity of microglia to synaptic sites. In Thy1-GFP mice, consistent with increased synapse numbers, bouton density was also clearly increased in females at P14. At this time point, CD47 expression, the “don't eat me” signal of neurons, was similar in males and females. The decrease in bouton density thereafter in conjuction with increased synapse numbers argues for a role of microglia in the formation of multispine boutons (MSB). Our data in females at P14 support the regulatory role of microglia in synapse density. Sexual differentiation of microglia, however, does not substantially affect long-term synaptic reorganization in the hippocampus.
Wang, G;Woods, C;Johnson, M;Milner, T;Glass, M;
| DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.12.041
The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a key role in hypertension, however the signaling pathways that contribute to the adaptability of the PVN during hypertension are uncertain. We present evidence that signaling at the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) GluA1 receptor subunit contributes to increased blood pressure in a model of neurogenic hypertension induced by 14-day slow-pressor angiotensin II (AngII) infusion in male mice. It was found that AngII hypertension was associated with an increase in plasma membrane affiliation of GluA1, but decreased GluA2, in dendritic profiles of PVN neurons. The increased plasma membrane GluA1 was paralleled by the results of whole-cell current clamping experiments, which showed heightened AMPA currents in PVN neurons from AngII-infused male mice. The inhibition of heightened AMPA currents was blocked by 1-Naphthyl acetyl spermine trihydrochloride, pointing to the involvement of GluA2-lacking GluA1 receptors in the elevated AMPA signaling in PVN neurons. A further functional role for GluA1 signaling in the PVN was demonstrated by the attenuated hypertensive response following silencing of GluA1 in the PVN of AngII-infused mice. In female mice, AngII-infusion did not impact blood pressure. In addition, AngII was not associated with alterations in transcription or plasma membrane localization of GluA1 in females. Posttranslational modifications that increase the plasma membrane localization of AMPA GluA1 and heighten the rapid signaling actions of glutamate in PVN neurons may serve as a molecular substrate underlying sex differences in hypertension.
World journal of clinical cases
Liu, JY;Zhang, JR;Sun, LY;Zhu, ZJ;Wei, L;Qu, W;Zeng, ZG;Liu, Y;Zhao, XY;
PMID: 35047591 | DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i35.10792
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in liver transplant (LT)_ recipients, and biliary complications occur in a large number of patients. It has been reported that CMV-DNA is more detectable in bile than in blood.To investigate the effects of CMV infection on biliary complications by comparing the levels of CMV-DNA in the bile and blood of patients after LT.We conducted a retrospective analysis of 57 patients who underwent LT, 10 of these patients had no biliary complications and 47 patients had biliary complications. We also compared the levels of CMV-DNA in patients' bile and blood, which were sampled concurrently. We used RNAscope technology to identify CMV in paraffin-embedded liver sections.CMV-DNA was not detected in bile samples and was detected in 2 blood samples from patients without biliary complications. In the 47 patients with biliary complications, CMV-DNA was detected in 22 bile samples and 8 blood samples, both bile and blood samples were positive for CMV-DNA in 6 patients. The identification rate of CMV-DNA in blood was 17.0%, and was 46.8% in bile. Moreover, tissue samples from 4 patients with biliary complications tested positive using RNAscope technology but were negative with hematoxylin and eosin staining. During the follow-up period, graft failure occurred in 13 patients with biliary complications, 8 of whom underwent retransplantation, and 3 died. CMV-DNA in bile was detected in 9 of 13 patients with graft failure.In patients with biliary complications, the identification rate of CMV-DNA in bile was higher than that in blood. Blood CMV-DNA negative patients with biliary complications should still be monitored for CMV-related biliary tract diseases. Potential occult CMV infection may also be a contributing etiological factor in the development of graft failure.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Zhang, X;Ma, W;Liu, M;Li, X;Li, J;Lu, Y;Li, G;Zhang, S;Feng, D;Wang, Y;Liang, H;Luo, S;Li, N;Gu, A;Xuan, S;Chen, X;Shen, S;Zhao, J;
PMID: 35969746 | DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208978119
Heading is one of the most important agronomic traits for Chinese cabbage crops. During the heading stage, leaf axial growth is an essential process. In the past, most genes predicted to be involved in the heading process have been based on leaf development studies in Arabidopsis. No genes that control leaf axial growth have been mapped and cloned via forward genetics in Chinese cabbage. In this study, we characterize the inward curling mutant ic1 in Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis and identify a mutation in the OCTOPUS (BrOPS) gene by map-based cloning. OPS is involved in phloem differentiation in Arabidopsis, a functionalization of regulating leaf curvature that is differentiated in Chinese cabbage. In the presence of brassinosteroid (BR) at the early heading stage in ic1, the mutation of BrOPS fails to sequester brassinosteroid insensitive 2 (BrBIN2) from the nucleus, allowing BrBIN2 to phosphorylate and inactivate BrBES1, which in turn relieves the repression of BrAS1 and results in leaf inward curving. Taken together, the results of our findings indicate that BrOPS positively regulates BR signaling by antagonizing BrBIN2 to promote leaf epinastic growth at the early heading stage in Chinese cabbage.
Grill M, Högenauer C, Blesl A, Haybaeck J, Golob-Schwarzl N, Ferreirós N, Thomas D, Gurke R, Trötzmüller M, Köfeler HC, Gallé B, Schicho R.
PMID: 30787385 | DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38865-4
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the protection against intestinal inflammation and colorectal cancer (CRC); however, human data are scarce. We determined members of the ECS and related components of the 'endocannabinoidome' in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and CRC, and compared them to control subjects. Anandamide (AEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) were increased in plasma of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients while 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was elevated in patients with CD, but not UC. 2-AG, but not AEA, PEA and OEA, was elevated in CRC patients. Lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) 18:0 showed higher levels in patients with IBD than in control subjects whereas LPI 20:4 was elevated in both CRC and IBD. Gene expression in intestinal mucosal biopsies revealed different profiles in CD and UC. CD, but not UC patients, showed increased gene expression for the 2-AG synthesizing enzyme diacylglycerol lipase alpha. Transcripts of CNR1 and GPR119 were predominantly decreased in CD. Our data show altered plasma levels of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like lipids in IBD and CRC and distinct transcript profiles in UC and CD. We also report alterations for less known components in intestinal inflammation, such as GPR119, OEA and LPI.
International journal of molecular sciences
Mayo, F;González-Vinceiro, L;Hiraldo-González, L;Calle-Castillejo, C;Morales-Alvarez, S;Ramírez-Lorca, R;Echevarría, M;
PMID: 36769371 | DOI: 10.3390/ijms24033048
Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the most abundant water channel in the central nervous system and plays a fundamental role in maintaining water homeostasis there. In adult mice, AQP4 is located mainly in ependymal cells, in the endfeet of perivascular astrocytes, and in the glia limitans. Meanwhile, its expression, location, and function throughout postnatal development remain largely unknown. Here, the expression of AQP4 mRNA was studied by in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR, and the localization and amount of protein was studied by immunofluorescence and western blotting, both in the brain and spinal cord. For this, wild-type mice of the C57BL/6 line, aged 1, 3, 7, 11, 20, and 60 days, and 18 months were used. The results showed a change in both the expression and location of AQP4 in postnatal development compared to those during adult life. In the early stages of postnatal development it appears in highly myelinated areas, such as the corpus callosum or cerebellum, and as the animal grows, it disappears from these areas, passing through the cortical regions of the forebrain and concentrating around the blood vessels. These findings suggest an unprecedented possible role for AQP4 in the early cell differentiation process, during the first days of life in the newborn animal, which will lead to myelination.
The Journal of comparative neurology
Takanami, K;Oti, T;Kobayashi, Y;Hasegawa, K;Ito, T;Tsutsui, N;Ueda, Y;Carstens, E;Sakamoto, T;Sakamoto, H;
PMID: 35686563 | DOI: 10.1002/cne.25376
Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its receptor (GRPR) have been identified as itch mediators in the spinal and trigeminal somatosensory systems in rodents. In primates, there are few reports of GRP/GRPR expression or function in the spinal sensory system and virtually nothing is known in the trigeminal system. The aim of the present study was to characterize GRP and GRPR in the trigeminal and spinal somatosensory system of Japanese macaque monkeys (Macaca fuscata). cDNA encoding GRP was isolated from the macaque dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and exhibited an amino acid sequence that was highly conserved among mammals and especially in primates. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that GRP was expressed mainly in the small-sized trigeminal ganglion and DRG in adult macaque monkeys. Densely stained GRP-immunoreactive (ir) fibers were observed in superficial layers of the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Sp5C) and the spinal cord. In contrast, GRP-ir fibers were rarely observed in the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and oral and interpolar divisions of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. cDNA cloning, in situ hybridization, and Western blot revealed substantial expression of GRPR mRNA and GRPR protein in the macaque spinal dorsal horn and Sp5C. Our Western ligand blot and ligand derivative stain for GRPR revealed that GRP directly bound in the macaque Sp5C and spinal dorsal horn as reported in rodents. Finally, GRP-ir fibers were also detected in the human spinal dorsal horn. The spinal and trigeminal itch neural circuits labeled with GRP and GRPR appear to function also in primates.
Sipil� P, Junnila A, Hakkarainen J, Huhtaniemi R, Mairinoja L, Zhang FP, Strauss L, Ohlsson C, Kotaja N, Huhtaniemi I, Poutanen M
PMID: 32190925 | DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902384R
Hydroxysteroid (17?) dehydrogenase type 3 (HSD17B3) deficiency causes a disorder of sex development in humans, where affected males are born with female-appearing external genitalia, but are virilized during puberty. The hormonal disturbances observed in the Hsd17b3 knockout mice (HSD17B3KO), generated in the present study, mimic those found in patients with HSD17B3 mutations. Identical to affected humans, serum T in the adult HSD17B3KO mice was within the normal range, while a striking increase was detected in serum A-dione concentration. This resulted in a marked reduction of the serum T/A-dione ratio, a diagnostic hallmark for the patients with HSD17B3 deficiency. However, unlike humans, male HSD17B3KO mice were born with normally virilized phenotype, but presenting with delayed puberty. In contrast to the current belief, data from HSD17B3KO mice show that the circulating T largely originates from the testes, indicating a strong compensatory mechanism in the absence of HSD17B3. The lack of testicular malignancies in HSD17B3KO mice supports the view that testis tumors in human patients are due to associated cryptorchidism. The HSD17B3KO mice presented also with impaired Leydig cell maturation and signs of undermasculinization in adulthood. The identical hormonal disturbances between HSD17B3 deficient knockout mice and human patients make the current mouse model valuable for understanding the mechanism of the patient phenotypes, as well as endocrinopathies and compensatory steroidogenic mechanisms in HSD17B3 deficiency
Fukui, T;Kobayashi, T;Jimbo, E;Aida, K;Shimada, A;Oikawa, Y;Mori, Y;Fujii, T;Koyama, R;Kobayashi, K;Takeshita, A;Yagihashi, S;
PMID: 37117225 | DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33011-7
In slowly progressive type 1 diabetes mellitus (SPIDDM), the pancreas shows sustained islet inflammation, pancreatitis, pancreatic acinar cell metaplasia/dysplasia (ADM), and intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), a precancerous lesion. The mechanisms underlying these changes remain unclear. The presence of enterovirus (EV) encoded-capsid protein 1 (VP1) and -2A protease (2Apro) and the innate immune responses of the pancreas were studied using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in 12 SPIDDM and 19 non-diabetic control pancreases. VP1, 2Apro, and EV-RNA were detected in islets and the exocrine pancreas in all SPIDDM pancreases. Innate immune receptor, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), and interferon (IFN)-beta1 were intensified in the islets of SPIDDM patients with short disease duration. However, expressions of MDA5 and IFN-beta1were suppressed in those with longer disease duration. CD3+ T cell infiltration was observed in the VP1- and insulin-positive islets (insulitis) and exocrine acinar cells. CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) in islets were scarce in long-term SPIDDM. This study showed the consistent presence of EV, suggesting an association with inflammatory changes in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in SPIDDM. Suppressed expressions of MDA5 and IFN-beta1, as well as decreased numbers of DCs in the host cells, may contribute to persistent EV infection and induction of ADM/PanIN lesions, which may potentially provide a scaffold for pancreatic neoplasms.
Hashimoto T, Ogawa R, Yoshida H, Taniguchi H, Kojima M, Saito Y, Sekine S.
PMID: 30179900 | DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000001149
Colorectal traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs) are often associated with precursor polyps, including hyperplastic polyps and sessile serrated adenoma/polyps. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression from precursor polyps to TSAs, the present study analyzed 15 precursor polyp-associated TSAs harboring WNT pathway gene mutations. Laser microdissection-based sequencing analysis showed that BRAF or KRAS mutations were shared between TSA and precursor polyps in all lesions. In contrast, the statuses of WNT pathway gene mutations were different between the 2 components. In 8 lesions, RNF43, APC, or CTNNB1 mutations, were exclusively present in TSA. RNF43 mutations were shared between the TSA and precursor components in 3 lesions; however, they were heterozygous in the precursor polyps whereas homozygous in the TSA. In 4 lesions with PTPRK-RSPO3 fusions, RNA in situ hybridization demonstrated that overexpression of RSPO3, reflecting PTPRK-RSPO3 fusion transcripts, was restricted to TSA components. Consistent with the results of the genetic and in situ hybridization analyses, nuclear β-catenin accumulation and MYC overexpression were restricted to the TSA component in 13 and 12 lesions, respectively. These findings indicate that the WNT pathway gene alterations are acquired during the progression from the precursor polyps to TSAs and that the activation of the WNT pathway plays a critical role in the development of TSA rather than their progression to high-grade lesions.
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Poma, AM;Proietti, A;Macerola, E;Bonuccelli, D;Conti, M;Salvetti, A;Dolo, V;Chillà, A;Basolo, A;Santini, F;Toniolo, A;Basolo, F;
PMID: 35567590 | DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac312
Involvement of the pituitary gland in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been clinically suggested by pituitary hormone deficiency in severe COVID-19 cases, by altered serum ACTH levels in hospitalized patients, and by cases of pituitary apoplexy. However, the direct viral infection of the gland has not been investigated.To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens could be present in pituitary glands of lethal cases of COVID-19, and to assess possible changes in the expression of immune-related and pituitary-specific genes.SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens were searched in the pituitary gland of 23 patients who died from COVID-19 and, as controls, in 12 subjects who died from trauma or sudden cardiac death. Real-time RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy were utilized. Levels of mRNA transcripts of immune-related and pituitary-specific genes were measured by the nCounter assay.The SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens were detected in 14/23 (61%) pituitary glands of the COVID-19 group, not in controls. In SARS-CoV-2 positive pituitaries, the viral genome was consistently detected by PCR in the adeno- and the neurohypophysis. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the pituitary. Activation of type I interferon signaling and enhanced levels of neutrophil and cytotoxic cell scores were found in virus-positive glands. mRNA transcripts of pituitary hormones and pituitary developmental/regulatory genes were suppressed in all COVID-19 cases irrespective of virus-positivity.Our study supports the tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for human pituitary and encourage to explore pituitary dysfunction post-COVID-19.
Kirschner, KM;Foryst-Ludwig, A;Gohlke, S;Li, C;Flores, RE;Kintscher, U;Schupp, M;Schulz, TJ;Scholz, H;
PMID: 34846543 | DOI: 10.1007/s00125-021-05621-1
Despite a similar fat storing function, visceral (intra-abdominal) white adipose tissue (WAT) is detrimental, whereas subcutaneous WAT is considered to protect against metabolic disease. Recent findings indicate that thermogenic genes, expressed in brown adipose tissue (BAT), can be induced primarily in subcutaneous WAT. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that the Wilms tumour gene product (WT1), which is expressed in intra-abdominal WAT but not in subcutaneous WAT and BAT, suppresses a thermogenic program in white fat cells.Heterozygous Wt1 knockout mice and their wild-type littermates were examined in terms of thermogenic and adipocyte-selective gene expression. Glucose tolerance and hepatic lipid accumulation in these mice were assessed under normal chow and high-fat diet conditions. Pre-adipocytes isolated from the stromal vascular fraction of BAT were transduced with Wt1-expressing retrovirus, induced to differentiate and analysed for the expression of thermogenic and adipocyte-selective genes.Expression of the thermogenic genes Cpt1b and Tmem26 was enhanced and transcript levels of Ucp1 were on average more than tenfold higher in epididymal WAT of heterozygous Wt1 knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. Wt1 heterozygosity reduced epididymal WAT mass, improved whole-body glucose tolerance and alleviated severe hepatic steatosis upon diet-induced obesity in mice. Retroviral expression of WT1 in brown pre-adipocytes, which lack endogenous WT1, reduced mRNA levels of Ucp1, Ppargc1a, Cidea, Prdm16 and Cpt1b upon in vitro differentiation by 60-90%. WT1 knockdown in epididymal pre-adipocytes significantly lowered Aldh1a1 and Zfp423 transcripts, two key suppressors of the thermogenic program. Conversely, Aldh1a1 and Zfp423 mRNA levels were increased approximately five- and threefold, respectively, by retroviral expression of WT1 in brown pre-adipocytes.WT1 functions as a white adipocyte determination factor in epididymal WAT by suppressing thermogenic genes. Reducing Wt1 expression in this and other intra-abdominal fat depots may represent a novel treatment strategy in metabolic disease.
