Postweaning sodium citrate exposure induces long-lasting and sex-dependent effects on social behaviours in mice.

BACKGROUND: Postweaning is a pivotal period for brain development and individual growth. As an important chemical used in medicines, foods and beverages, sodium citrate (SC) is commonly available. Although some effects of SC exposure on individual physiology have been demonstrated, the potential long-lasting effects of postweaning dietary SC exposure on social behaviours are still elusive. METHODS: Both postweaning male and female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to SC through drinking water for a total of 3 weeks. A series of behavioural tests, including social dominance test (SDT), social interaction test (SIT), bedding preference test (BPT) and sexual preference test (SPT), were performed in adolescence and adulthood. After these tests, serum oxytocin (OT) levels and gut microbiota were detected. RESULTS: The behavioural results revealed that postweaning SC exposure decreased the social dominance of male mice in adulthood and female mice in both adolescence and adulthood. SC exposure also reduced the sexual preference rates of both males and females, while it had no effect on social interaction behaviour. ELISA results indicated that SC exposure decreased the serum OT levels of females but not males. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed a significant difference in ß-diversity after SC exposure in both males and females. The correlation coefficient indicated the correlation between social behaviours, OT levels and dominant genera of gut microbiota. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that postweaning SC exposure may have enduring and sex-dependent effects on social behaviours, which may be correlated with altered serum OT levels and gut microbiota composition.

Dulaglutide treatment reverses depression-like behavior and hippocampal metabolomic homeostasis in mice exposed to chronic mild stress.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment strategies for depression based on interventions for glucose and lipid metabolism disorders are receiving increasing attention. Investigating the mechanism of their antidepressant effect and exploring new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers have attracted increasing attention. Dulaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been reported to alleviate cognitive deficits and neuronal damage. However, the antidepressant effect of dulaglutide and, especially, the underlying mechanism are still poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the underlying biomarkers of depression and potential modulatory targets of dulaglutide in chronic mild stress (CMS) mice. METHODS: Sixty mice were randomly divided into a control group (CON group), a CMS+Vehicle group (CMS+Veh group), a CMS+0.3 mg/kg dulaglutide group (Low Dula group), and a CMS+0.6 mg/kg dulaglutide group (High Dula group). Numerous behavioral tests, mainly the open field test, forced swimming test, and tail suspension test, were applied to evaluate the potential effect of dulaglutide treatment on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice exposed to chronic stress. Furthermore, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach was utilized to investigate the associated mechanisms of dulaglutide treatment. RESULTS: Three weeks of dulaglutide treatment significantly reversed depressive-like but not anxiety-like behaviors in mice exposed to chronic stress for 4 weeks. The results from the metabolomics analysis showed that a total of 20 differentially expressed metabolites were identified between the CON and CMS+Veh groups, and 46 metabolites were selected between the CMS+Veh and High Dula groups in the hippocampus of the mice. Comprehensive analysis indicated that lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism were disrupted in model mice that experienced depression and underwent dulaglutide therapy. CONCLUSION: The antidepressant effects of dulaglutide in a CMS depression model were confirmed. We identified 64 different metabolites and four major pathways associated with metabolic pathophysiological processes. These primary data provide a new perspective for understanding the antidepressant-like effects of dulaglutide and may facilitate the use of dulaglutide as a potential therapeutic strategy for depression.

Secreted clusterin inhibits tumorigenesis by modulating tumor cells and macrophages in human meningioma.

BACKGROUND: Meningioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor with a high frequency of postoperative recurrence, yet the biology of the meningioma malignancy process is still obscure. METHODS: To identify potential therapeutic targets and tumor suppressors, we performed single-cell transcriptome analysis through meningioma malignancy, which included 18 samples spanning normal meninges, benign and high-grade in situ tumors, and lung metastases, for extensive transcriptome characterization. Tumor suppressor candidate gene and molecular mechanism were functionally validated at the animal model and cellular levels. RESULTS: Comprehensive analysis and validation in mice and clinical cohorts indicated clusterin (CLU) had suppressive function for meningioma tumorigenesis and malignancy by inducing mitochondria damage and triggering type 1 interferon pathway dependent on its secreted isoform, and the inhibition effect was enhanced by TNFα as TNFα also induced type 1 interferon pathway. Meanwhile, both intra- and extracellular CLU overexpression enhanced macrophage polarization towards M1 phenotype and TNFα production, thus promoting tumor killing and phagocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: CLU might be a key brake of meningioma malignance by synchronously modulating tumor cells and their microenvironment. Our work provides comprehensive insights into meningioma malignancy and a potential therapeutic strategy.

Effects of postweaning cadmium exposure on socioemotional behaviors in adolescent male mice.

Exposure to cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal classified as an environmental endocrine disruptor, can exert significant toxicity in both animals and humans. However, the potential effects of Cd exposure on socioemotional behaviors are still poorly understood, as are the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, employing a series of behavioral tests as well as 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis, we investigated the long-term effects of Cd exposure on socioemotional behaviors and their associated mechanisms in mice based on the brain-gut interaction theory. The results showed that postweaning exposure to Cd reduced the ability to resist depression, decreased social interaction, subtly altered sexual preference, and changed the composition of the gut microbiota in male mice during adolescence. These findings provided direct evidence for the deleterious effects of exposure to Cd in the postweaning period on socioemotional behaviors later in adolescence, and suggested that these effects of Cd exposure may be linked to changes in the gut microbiota.

Postweaning intermittent sleep deprivation enhances defensive attack in adult female mice via the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Sleep is one of the most important physiological activities in life and promotes the growth and development of an individual. In modern society, sleep deprivation (SD), especially among adolescents, has become a common phenomenon. However, long-term SD severely affected adolescents' neurodevelopment leading to abnormal behavioral phenotypes. Clinical studies indicated that sleep problems caused increased aggressive behavior in adolescents. Aggressive behavior was subordinate to social behaviors, in which defensive attack was often the last line for survival. Meanwhile, increasing studies shown that gut microbiota regulated social behaviors by affecting specific brain regions via the gut-brain axis. However, whether postweaning intermittent SD is related to defensive attack in adulthood, and if so, whether it is mediated by the microbiota-gut-brain axis are still elusive. Combined with microbial sequencing and hippocampal metabolomics, the present study mainly investigated the long-term effects of postweaning intermittent SD on defensive attack in adult mice. Our study demonstrated that postweaning intermittent SD enhanced defensive attack and impaired long-term memory formation in adult female mice. Moreover, microbial sequencing and LC-MS analysis showed that postweaning intermittent SD altered the gut microbial composition and the hippocampal metabolic profile in female mice, respectively. Our attention has been drawn to the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway and related metabolites. In conclusion, our findings provide a new perspective on the relationship of early-life SD and defensive attack in adulthood, and also highlight the importance of sleep in early-life, especially in females.

Sex-dependent and long-lasting effects of adolescent sleep deprivation on social behaviors in adult mice.

Increasing evidence indicates that sleep deprivation (SD) can exert multiple negative effects on neuronal circuits, resulting in memory impairment, depression, and anxiety, among other consequences. The long-term effects of SD during early life on behavioral phenotypes in adulthood are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the long-lasting effects of SD in adolescence on social behaviors, including empathic ability and social dominance, and the role of the gut microbiota in these processes, using a series of behavioral paradigms in mice combined with 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Behavioral assay results showed that SD in adolescence significantly reduced the frequency of licking, the total time spent licking, and the time spent sniffing during the emotional contagion test in male mice, effects that were not observed in female mice. These findings indicated that SD in adolescence exerts long-term, negative effects on empathic ability in mice and that this effect is sex-dependent. In contrast, SD in adolescence had no significant effect on locomotor activities, social dominance but decreased social interaction in male mice in adulthood. Meanwhile, 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing results showed that gut microbial richness and diversity were significantly altered in adult male mice subjected to SD in adolescence. Our data provide direct evidence that SD in youth can induce alterations in empathic ability in adult male mice, which may be associated with changes in the gut microbiota. These findings highlight the long-lasting effects of sleep loss in adolescence on social behaviors in adulthood and the role played by the brain-gut axis.

Exercise to prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ample sleep is an important basis for maintaining health, however with the pace of life accelerating in modern society, more people are using sacrificial sleep to cope with these social changes. Sleep deprivation can have negative effects on cognitive performance and psychosomatic health. It is well known that exercise, as a beneficial intervention strategy for human health, has been increasingly used in the clinic. But it's not clear if it can prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation. In this meta-analysis, we reviewed 23 articles from PubMed and Web of Science to investigate whether moderate physical exercise can prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation in rodents. Our findings suggest that exercise can prevent sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behaviors through multiple pathways. We also discuss possible molecular mechanisms involved in this protective effect, highlighting the potential of exercise as a preventive or therapeutic strategy for sleep deprivation-induced negative effects.

Global analysis of HLA-A2 restricted MAGE-A3 tumor antigen epitopes and corresponding TCRs in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer with poor prognosis. Adoptive cell therapy using engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) targeting cancer-testis antigens, such as Melanoma-associated antigen 3 (MAGE-A3), is a potential approach for the treatment of NSCLC. However, systematic analysis of T cell immune responses to MAGE-A3 antigen and corresponding antigen-specific TCR is still lacking. Methods: In this study, we comprehensively screened HLA-A2 restricted MAGE-A3 tumor epitopes and characterized the corresponding TCRs using in vitro artificial antigen presentation cells (APC) system, single-cell transcriptome and TCR V(D)J sequencing, and machine-learning. Furthermore, the tumor-reactive TCRs with killing potency was screened and verified. Results: We identified the HLA-A2 restricted T cell epitopes from MAGE-A3 that could effectively induce the activation and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells using artificial APC in vitro. A cohort of HLA-A2+ NSCLC donors demonstrated that the number of epitope specific CD8+ T cells increased in NSCLC than healthy controls when measured with tetramer derived from the candidate MAGE-A3 epitopes, especially epitope Mp4 (MAGE-A3: 160-169, LVFGIELMEV). Statistical and machine-learning based analyses demonstrated that the MAGE-A3-Mp4 epitope-specific CD8+ T cell clones were mostly in effector and proliferating state. Importantly, T cells artificially expressing the MAGE-A3-Mp4 specific TCRs exhibited strong MAGE-A3+ tumor cell recognition and killing effect. Cross-reactivity risk analysis of the candidates TCRs showed high binding stability to MAGE-A3-Mp4 epitope and low risk of cross-reaction. Conclusions: This work identified candidate TCRs potentially suitable for TCR-T design targeting HLA-A2 restricted MAGE-A3 tumor antigen.

Excision of mesenteric lymph nodes alters gut microbiota and impairs social dominance in adult mice.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) are central in immune anatomy. MLNs are associated with the composition of gut microbiota, affecting the central system and immune system. Gut microbiota was found to differ among individuals of different social hierarchies. Nowadays, excision of MLNs is more frequently involved in gastrointestinal surgery; however, the potential side effects of excision of MLNs on social dominance are still unknown. METHODS: MLNs were removed from male mice (7-8 weeks old). Four weeks after MLN removal, social dominance test was performed to investigate social dominance; hippocampal and serum interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were investigated; and histopathology was used to evaluate local inflammation of the ileum. The composition of the gut microbiota was then examined to understand the possible mechanism, and finally intraperitoneal injection of IL-10 was used to validate the effect of IL-10 on social dominance. RESULTS: There was a decrease in social dominance in the operation group compared to the control group, as well as a decrease in serum and hippocampal IL-10 levels, but no difference in serum and hippocampal IL-1ß and TNF-α levels, and no local inflammation of the ileum after MLN removal. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that the relative abundance of the class Clostridia was decreased in the operation group. This decrease was positively associated with serum IL-10 levels. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of IL-10 in a subset of mice increased social dominance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that MLNs contributed to maintaining social dominance, which might be associated with reduced IL-10 and the imbalance of specific flora in gut microbiota.

Effectiveness of Booster Doses of the SARS-CoV-2 Inactivated Vaccine KCONVAC against the Mutant Strains.

As the COVID-19 epidemic progresses with the emergence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants, it is important to know the effectiveness of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines against the variants. To maximize efficiency, a third boost injection of the high-dose SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine KCONVAC was selected for investigation. In addition to the ancestral strain, KCONVAC boost vaccination induced neutralizing antibodies and antigen-specific CD8 T cells to recognize several variants, including B.1.617.2 (Delta), B.1.1.529 (Omicron), B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.3, B.1.526.1 (Lota), B.1.526.2, B.1.618, and B.1.617.3. Both humoral and cellular immunity against variants were lower than those of ancestral variants but continued to increase from day 0 to day 7 to day 50 after boost vaccination. Fifty days post-boost, the KCONVAC-vaccinated CD8 T-cell level reached 1.23-, 2.59-, 2.53-, and 1.01-fold that of convalescents against ancestral, Delta, Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants, respectively. Our data demonstrate the importance of KCONVAC boosters to broaden both humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Long-lasting effects of postweaning sleep deprivation on cognitive function and social behaviors in adult mice.

Sleep deprivation (SD) has adverse effects on physical and mental health. Recently increasing attention has been given to SD in the early-life stage. However, the effects and mechanisms of postweaning SD on cognitive function and social behaviors are still unclear. In this study, SD was conducted in mice from postnatal Day 21 (PND21) to PND42, 6 h a day. Meanwhile, changes in body weight, food and water intake were continuously monitored. Behavioral tests were carried out in adulthood of mice. The levels of serum corticosterone, the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10), vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) were measured by ELISA. Golgi staining was used to calculate neural dendritic spine density in the dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) CA1 region and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We found that postweaning SD increased the food intake and the weight of female mice. Behavioral results showed that postweaning SD caused cognitive impairment and lowered social dominance in adult male mice but not in female mice. ELISA results showed that SD increased the levels of serum corticosterone, VP and OT in male mice and serum OT in female mice. Golgi staining analysis showed that SD decreased neural dendritic spine density in the dHPC in male mice. These results suggest that postweaning SD has a long-term effect on social dominance and cognitive function in male mice, which may provide a new insight into the role of SD in regulating cognitive function and social behaviors.

Elevation of N-acetyltransferase 10 in hippocampal neurons mediates depression- and anxiety-like behaviors.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most debilitating and severe mental diseases globally. Increasing evidence has shown that epigenetics is critical for understanding brain function and brain disorders, including MDD. N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), acting on histones, mRNA and other substrates, has been reported to be involved in epigenetic events, including histone acetylation and mRNA modifications. NAT10 is highly expressed in the brain. However, the potential effects of NAT10 on MDD are still unknown. Here, we exploited chronic mild stress (CMS) to induce anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice and found that the expression of NAT10 in the mouse hippocampus was upregulated after CMS treatment. Inhibition of NAT10 by pharmacological methods produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects. Neuron-specific overexpression of NAT10 in the hippocampus resulted in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, accompanied by higher SIRT1 protein levels, and lower dendritic spine densities. Overall, it was found that elevation of NAT10 in hippocampal neurons is involved in the occurrence of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, suggesting that NAT10 could be a potential new target for developing anxiolytics and antidepressants.

Sex-dependent and long-lasting effects of bisphenol AF exposure on emotional behaviors in mice.

We recently reported that maternal exposure to bisphenol AF (BPAF), an environmental endocrine disruptor (EED), induced significant alterations in emotional behaviors in offspring mice during adolescence in a sex-dependent manner. However, the effects of adult BPAF exposure and the potential long-lasting effects of maternal exposure to BPAF on offspring mice are still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the neurobehavioral effects of adult and maternal exposure to BPAF, intragastrically (0.4, 4 mg•kg-1, i.g.), by using a series of classic emotional behavioral tests, mainly referring to depression, anxiety, and memory. The results showed that adult BPAF exposure significantly attenuated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in adult male mice, while increasing anxiety-like behaviors, promoting novel object recognition memory formation, and impairing contextual fear conditioning memory formation in adult female mice. Maternal exposure to BPAF induced anxiety-like effects and anti-depression-like effects in male offspring mice during adulthood, while maternal BPAF exposure increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in female offspring mice during adulthood. Our present findings indicate that BPAF exposure significantly affects emotional behaviors in adult/offspring mice in a sex-dependent manner and that female adult mice are more likely to have adverse consequences to BPAF exposure during adulthood, even during early life stages.