Role of nucleus accumbens microRNA-181a and MeCP2 in incubation of heroin craving in male rats.

RATIONALE: Epigenetic regulation has been implicated in the incubation of drug craving (the time-dependent increase in drug seeking after prolonged withdrawal from drug self-administration). There is little information available on the role of microRNAs in incubation of heroin craving. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the roles and mechanisms of miR-181a and methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in incubation of heroin seeking. METHODS: MiRNA sequencing was used to predict potential miRNAs, and miRNA profiles were performed in the NAc after 1 day or 14 days after withdrawal from heroin self-administration. Following 14 days of heroin self-administration, rats were injected of lentiviral vectors into the NAc and evaluated for the effects of overexpression of miR-181a or knockdown of MeCP2 on non-reinforced heroin seeking after 14 withdrawal days. RESULTS: Lever presses during the heroin-seeking tests were higher after 14 withdrawal days than after 1 day (incubation of heroin craving). miR-181a expression in NAc was lower after 14 withdrawal days than after 1 day, and meCP2 expression in NAc was higher after 14 days than after 1 day. Luciferase activity assay showed that the 3'UTR of MeCP2 is directly regulated by miR-181a. Overexpression of miR-181a in NAc decreased heroin seeking after 14 withdrawal days and decreased MeCP2 mRNA and protein expression. Knockdown of MeCP2 expression in NAc by LV-siRNA-MeCP2 also decreased heroin seeking after 14 withdrawal days. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that incubation of heroin craving is mediated in part by time-dependent decreases in NAc miR181a expression that leads to time-dependent increases in MeCP2 expression. Our data suggest that NAc miR-181a and MeCP2 contribute to incubation of heroin craving.

MiRNA-155 regulates cumulus cells function, oocyte maturation, and blastocyst formation.

Numerous oocytes are retrieved during in vitro fertilization from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The poor quality of these oocytes leads to lower fertilization and decreases in cleavage and implantation. MiR-155 is one of the microRNA (miRNA) that is increased in serum and granulosa cells of PCOS patients. In this study, we investigate the effects of miR-155 expression and its target genes on oocyte maturation and embryo development. We used the calcium phosphate protocol to transfect vectors that contained miR-155 or miR-off 155 and alone eGFP into cumulus oophorus complex (COCs) of B6D2F1 female mice for in vitro maturation. Cumulus expansion, nuclear, and cytoplasmic maturation, as well as cleavage rates were determined in groups transfected and compared with the control groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze expression levels of miR-155 and the target genes in the cumulus cells, oocytes, and blastocysts. MiR-155 overexpression in COCs suppressed cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, and inhibition of endogenous miR-155 by miR-off 155 improved cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation by downregulation and expression increase of the Smad2 and Bcl2 genes. On the other hand, overexpression and downregulation of miR-155 in the COCs led to increase and decrease in cleavage rates by changes in expressions of the Mecp2, Jarid2, and Notch1 genes, respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggested that miR-155 overexpression in granulosa cells of PCOS patients can negatively affect nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, but this miRNA expression has a positive impact on embryo development.

MicroRNA-1324 inhibits cell proliferative ability and invasiveness by targeting MECP2 in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression level and potential molecular mechanism of microRNA-1324 in gastric cancer (GCa) to provide a new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of GCa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression levels of microRNA-1324 and MECP2 in GCa tissues and cell lines were detected using quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The influence of microRNA-1324 and MECP2 on the proliferation or invasiveness of GCa cells were investigated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay or transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, the regulatory interplay between microRNA-1324 and MECP2 was verified via Dual-Luciferase reporting assay, qRT-PCR, and Western Blot. RESULTS: QRT-PCR results revealed that microRNA-1324 expression was remarkably down-regulated in GCa tissues and cell lines, while the expression of MECP2 was remarkably up-regulated. Subsequently, we confirmed that miR-1324 could target and bind to MECP2, as well as inhibit its expression. Inhibition of microRNA-1324 remarkably enhanced the proliferative capacity and invasiveness of GCa cells. However, opposite results were observed after inhibiting MECP2 expression. At the same time, flow cytometry revealed that inhibition of microRNA-1324 accelerated cell cycle but inhibited apoptosis. Conversely, opposite results were observed when MECP2 was down-regulated in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-1324 was remarkably down-regulated in GCa tissues or cell lines. Meanwhile, it could inhibit MECP2 expression, and promote the proliferation and invasion of GCa cells, eventually participating in the occurrence and development of GCa.

Pharmacological reactivation of inactive X-linked Mecp2 in cerebral cortical neurons of living mice.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetic disorder resulting from a loss-of-function mutation in one copy of the X-linked gene methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Typical RTT patients are females and, due to random X chromosome inactivation (XCI), ∼50% of cells express mutant MECP2 and the other ∼50% express wild-type MECP2. Cells expressing mutant MECP2 retain a wild-type copy of MECP2 on the inactive X chromosome (Xi), the reactivation of which represents a potential therapeutic approach for RTT. Previous studies have demonstrated reactivation of Xi-linked MECP2 in cultured cells by biological or pharmacological inhibition of factors that promote XCI (called "XCI factors" or "XCIFs"). Whether XCIF inhibitors in living animals can reactivate Xi-linked MECP2 in cerebral cortical neurons, the cell type most therapeutically relevant to RTT, remains to be determined. Here, we show that pharmacological inhibitors targeting XCIFs in the PI3K/AKT and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways reactivate Xi-linked MECP2 in cultured mouse fibroblasts and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived postmitotic RTT neurons. Notably, reactivation of Xi-linked MECP2 corrects characteristic defects of human RTT neurons including reduced soma size and branch points. Most importantly, we show that intracerebroventricular injection of the XCIF inhibitors reactivates Xi-linked Mecp2 in cerebral cortical neurons of adult living mice. In support of these pharmacological results, we also demonstrate genetic reactivation of Xi-linked Mecp2 in cerebral cortical neurons of living mice bearing a homozygous XCIF deletion. Collectively, our results further establish the feasibility of pharmacological reactivation of Xi-linked MECP2 as a therapeutic approach for RTT.

The Effect of Mecp2 on Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Heart failure is the end result of various kinds of cardiovascular diseases. It has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. This article aims to determine the effect of MeCP2, a key epigenetic regulator, on heart failure. METHODS: The genes associated with heart failure were selected and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Significantly up- or downregulated genes in a heart failure animal model were identified, and the genes that had the same or opposite alteration trends as MeCP2 were also recognized. Eighteen hub genes were picked based on topological parameters, and then aberrantly expressed genes with MeCP2 overexpression or knockout were analyzed by GO term, KEGG pathway and PPI analyses. RESULTS: MeCP2 was downregulated in the heart failure animal model. Through comparison and alignment, 10 dysregulated genes were selected from the 18 hub genes (JAK1, SETD1B, HRC, TTN, LYZ2, TPM3, MYH11, MYH6, ALOX5AP, DECR1). These genes were mainly enriched in cytoskeletal regulation mediated by Rho GTPase and inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: These dysregulated genes provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the effect of MeCP2 on heart failure and might be used as targets and prognostic markers of heart failure.

Cocaine-mediated activation of microglia and microglial MeCP2 and BDNF production.

The molecular substrates underlying cocaine reinforcement and addiction have been studied for decades, with a primary focus on signaling molecules involved in modulation of neuronal communication. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important signaling molecule involved in neuronal dendrite and spine modulation. Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) binds to the promoter region of BDNF to negatively regulate its expression and cocaine can recruit MeCP2 to alter the expression of genes such as BDNF that are involved in synaptic plasticity. For several decades, BDNF has been implicated in mediating synaptic plasticity associated with cocaine abuse, and most studies report that neurons are the primary source for BDNF production in the brain. The current study assessed the effects of intravenous cocaine self-administration on microglial activation, and MeCP2 and BDNF expression in reward regions of the brain in vivo, as well as determined specific effects of cocaine exposure on MeCP2 and BDNF expression in human primary neurons and microglia. The results from this study highlight a distinct molecular pathway in microglia through which cocaine increases BDNF, including the phosphorylation of MeCP2 its subsequent translocation from the nucleus to the cytosol, which frees the BDNF promoter and permits its transcriptional activation. Results from these studies show for the first time that cocaine self-administration increases microglial activation, and that microglial MeCP2 is a sensitive target of cocaine resulting in increased release of BDNF from microglia, and possibly contributing to cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity.

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 mediates antifibrotic effects in scleroderma fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence supports a role for epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of scleroderma (SSc). We aimed to assess the role of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a key epigenetic regulator, in fibroblast activation and fibrosis in SSc. METHODS: Dermal fibroblasts were isolated from patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and from healthy controls. MeCP2 expression was measured by qPCR and western blot. Myofibroblast differentiation was evaluated by gel contraction assay in vitro. Fibroblast proliferation was analysed by ki67 immunofluorescence staining. A wound healing assay in vitro was used to determine fibroblast migration rates. RNA-seq was performed with and without MeCP2 knockdown in dcSSc to identify MeCP2-regulated genes. The expression of MeCP2 and its targets were modulated by siRNA or plasmid. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) using anti-MeCP2 antibody was performed to assess MeCP2 binding sites within MeCP2-regulated genes. RESULTS: Elevated expression of MeCP2 was detected in dcSSc fibroblasts compared with normal fibroblasts. Overexpressing MeCP2 in normal fibroblasts suppressed myofibroblast differentiation, fibroblast proliferation and fibroblast migration. RNA-seq in MeCP2-deficient dcSSc fibroblasts identified MeCP2-regulated genes involved in fibrosis, including PLAU, NID2 and ADA. Plasminogen activator urokinase (PLAU) overexpression in dcSSc fibroblasts reduced myofibroblast differentiation and fibroblast migration, while nidogen-2 (NID2) knockdown promoted myofibroblast differentiation and fibroblast migration. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) depletion in dcSSc fibroblasts inhibited cell migration rates. Taken together, antifibrotic effects of MeCP2 were mediated, at least partly, through modulating PLAU, NID2 and ADA. ChIP-seq further showed that MeCP2 directly binds regulatory sequences in NID2 and PLAU gene loci. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a novel role for MeCP2 in skin fibrosis and identifies MeCP2-regulated genes associated with fibroblast migration, myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix degradation, which can be potentially targeted for therapy in SSc.

MeCP2 Expression in a Rat Model of Risky Decision Making.

Many neuropsychiatric disorders are associated with abnormal decision making involving risk of punishment, but the underlying molecular basis remains poorly understood. Methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is an epigenetic factor that regulates transcription by directly binding to methylated DNA. Here, we evaluated MeCP2 expression in the context of risk-taking behaviors using the Risky Decision-making Task (RDT), in which rats make discrete choices between a small "safe" food reward and a large "risky" food reward accompanied by varying probabilities of punishment. In Experiment 1, expression of MeCP2 as assessed by immunoblotting in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but not the striatum, was inversely correlated with the degree of preference for the large, risky reward (risk taking) seven days after the last RDT test. In Experiment 2, MeCP2 expression 90 min after RDT testing, assessed using immunohistochemistry, was suppressed in both the dorsal mPFC (dmPFC) and nucleus accumbens compared to home cage controls, indicating that MeCP2 expression is modulated by RDT performance. Additional experiments revealed that RDT performance increased expression of MeCP2 phosphorylated at Ser421 (associated with neuronal activity and activation of gene expression) in dmPFC principal neurons. Finally, as in Experiment 1, lower expression of MeCP2 in the ventral mPFC was associated with greater risk taking under baseline conditions. Together, these findings indicate a complex regulatory role of MeCP2 in risky decision making, and suggest that epigenetic factors may be an important component of the molecular mechanisms underlying such decision-making processes.

Recent endeavors in MECP2 gene transfer for gene therapy of Rett syndrome.

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is an X chromosome-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by inactivating mutations in the transcription regulator methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Multiple studies have independently explored the therapeutic potential of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated MECP2 gene transfer in mouse models of RTT. Historically, the primary risk anticipated for viral vector-mediated MECP2 gene transfer in vivo has been toxicity caused by supraphysiological expression of exogenous MeCP2. Despite the anticipated risk, early studies examining AAV/MECP2 in vivo have, as a whole, supported a generally optimistic assessment of MECP2 gene therapy. More recently, toxicity assessments have identified dose-dependent side effects of AAV9/MECP2 delivered directly to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Ultimately, accurate monitoring and reporting of these side effects will help ensure the development of safe AAV/MECP2 treatment paradigms as researchers explore strategies to improve widespread but properly regulated MECP2 gene transfer in the central nervous system (CNS). Importantly, despite some variability in apparent safety and efficacy, all MECP2 gene therapy studies have been united by a single feat: published treatment paradigms have extended the survival of RTT mice, regardless of injection route, treatment age, or viral genome design. With the possibility of a translatable gene therapy treatment for RTT emerging, a comprehensive overview of the preclinical MECP2 gene therapy studies published thus far is warranted. This review highlights the main findings of these publications and discusses future directions.

Elevating expression of MeCP2 T158M rescues DNA binding and Rett syndrome-like phenotypes.

Mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurological disorder affecting cognitive development, respiration, and motor function. Genetic restoration of MeCP2 expression reverses RTT-like phenotypes in mice, highlighting the need to search for therapeutic approaches. Here, we have developed knockin mice recapitulating the most common RTT-associated missense mutation, MeCP2 T158M. We found that the T158M mutation impaired MECP2 binding to methylated DNA and destabilized MeCP2 protein in an age-dependent manner, leading to the development of RTT-like phenotypes in these mice. Genetic elevation of MeCP2 T158M expression ameliorated multiple RTT-like features, including motor dysfunction and breathing irregularities, in both male and female mice. These improvements were accompanied by increased binding of MeCP2 T158M to DNA. Further, we found that the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway was responsible for MeCP2 T158M degradation and that proteasome inhibition increased MeCP2 T158M levels. Together, these findings demonstrate that increasing MeCP2 T158M protein expression is sufficient to mitigate RTT-like phenotypes and support the targeting of MeCP2 T158M expression or stability as an alternative therapeutic approach.

MiR-130a regulates neurite outgrowth and dendritic spine density by targeting MeCP2.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical for both development and function of the central nervous system. Significant evidence suggests that abnormal expression of miRNAs is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. MeCP2 protein is an epigenetic regulator repressing or activating gene transcription by binding to methylated DNA. Both loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in the MECP2 gene lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome, autism and MECP2 duplication syndrome. In this study, we demonstrate that miR-130a inhibits neurite outgrowth and reduces dendritic spine density as well as dendritic complexity. Bioinformatics analyses, cell cultures and biochemical experiments indicate that miR-130a targets MECP2 and down-regulates MeCP2 protein expression. Furthermore, expression of the wild-type MeCP2, but not a loss-of-function mutant, rescues the miR-130a-induced phenotype. Our study uncovers the MECP2 gene as a previous unknown target for miR-130a, supporting that miR-130a may play a role in neurodevelopment by regulating MeCP2. Together with data from other groups, our work suggests that a feedback regulatory mechanism involving both miR-130a and MeCP2 may serve to ensure their appropriate expression and function in neural development.

Cryptolepine derivative-6h inhibits liver fibrosis in TGF-ß1-induced HSC-T6 cells by targeting the Shh pathway.

Liver fibrosis is a worldwide problem with a significant morbidity and mortality. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (family Periplocaceae) is widely used in West African countries for the treatment of malaria, as well as for some other diseases. However, the role of C. sanguinolenta in hepatic fibrosis is still unknown. It has been reported that Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) had a high expression in liver fibrosis and played a central role in its pathobiology. Interestingly, we found that a cryptolepine derivative (HZ-6h) could inhibit liver fibrosis by reducing MeCP2 expression, as evidenced by the dramatic downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen alpha-1 (Col1α1) in protein levels in vitro. Meanwhile, we also found that HZ-6h could reduce the cell viability and promote apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) treated with transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-ß1). Then, we investigated the potential molecular mechanisms and found that HZ-6h blocked Shh signaling in HSC-T6 cells, resulting in the decreased protein expression of Patched-1 (PTCH-1), Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1). In short, these results indicate that HZ-6h inhibits liver fibrosis by downregulating MeCP2 through the Shh pathway in TGF-ß1-induced HSC-T6 cells.

Restoration of Mecp2 expression in GABAergic neurons is sufficient to rescue multiple disease features in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.

The postnatal neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, caused by mutations in MECP2, produces a diverse array of symptoms, including loss of language, motor, and social skills and the development of hand stereotypies, anxiety, tremor, ataxia, respiratory dysrhythmias, and seizures. Surprisingly, despite the diversity of these features, we have found that deleting Mecp2 only from GABAergic inhibitory neurons in mice replicates most of this phenotype. Here we show that genetically restoring Mecp2 expression only in GABAergic neurons of male Mecp2 null mice enhanced inhibitory signaling, extended lifespan, and rescued ataxia, apraxia, and social abnormalities but did not rescue tremor or anxiety. Female Mecp2(+/-) mice showed a less dramatic but still substantial rescue. These findings highlight the critical regulatory role of GABAergic neurons in certain behaviors and suggest that modulating the excitatory/inhibitory balance through GABAergic neurons could prove a viable therapeutic option in Rett syndrome.

Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 Improves the Development of Mouse Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Embryos.

Methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins (MBPs) connect DNA methylation and histone modification, which are the key changes of somatic cell reprogramming. Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) was the first discovered MBP that has been extensively studied in the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome. However, a role for MeCP2 during cellular reprogramming associated with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has not been examined. In this study, we discovered that MeCP2 expression was significantly lower in embryos generated by SCNT compared with those generated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We genetically modified mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to overexpress MeCP2 and serve as donor cells for nuclear transfer (NT) to investigate the effects of MeCP2 on preimplantation development of SCNT embryos. The blastocyst rate (35.71%) of MeCP2 overexpressed embryos (NT(+)) was significantly greater than in nontransgenic embryos (NT(-), 24.29%). Furthermore, immunofluorescence experiments revealed that 5-methylcytosine (5mC) was transferred to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) to a greater extent in NT(+) embryos than in NT(-) embryos. Real-time PCR evaluation of gene expression also showed that embryonic development-associated genes, such as Oct4 and Nanog, were significantly higher in the NT(+) group compared to the NT(-) group. Collectively, these results suggested that MeCP2 facilitated Tet3 activity, enhanced expression of pluripotency-related genes, and eventually improved the development of NT embryos. Finally, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation to identify direct targets of MeCP2 and constructed a protein interaction network to elucidate several putative MeCP2 targets.

Geniposide alleviates inflammation by suppressing MeCP2 in mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury and LPS-treated THP-1 cells.

Geniposide (GP), an iridoid glucoside extracted from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruits, has been used as a herbal medicine to treat liver and gall bladder disorders for many years. However the mechanism of anti-inflammatory is largely unknown. In this study, GP significantly attenuated inflammation in acute liver injury (ALI) mice model and in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced THP-1 cells. It was demonstrated that GP obviously decreased the expression of Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in vivo and in vitro. Knockdown of MeCP2 with siRNA suppressed the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α, while over-expression of MeCP2 had a proinflammatory effect on the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-induced THP-1 cells. Mechanistically, it was indicated that GP had anti-inflammatory effects at least in part, through suppressing MeCP2. Interestingly, GP could attenuate expressions of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and GLIS family zinc finger 1 (GLIS1) but increase Ptched1 (PTCH1) expression. Similar findings were also demonstrated at the protein level by siRNA MeCP2. Furthermore, over-expression of MeCP2 obviously increased Shh and GLIS1 expressions but reduced PTCH1 expression. Taken together, GP may serve as an effective modulator of MeCP2-hedgehog pathway (Hh)-axis during the pathogenesis of inflammation. Our findings shed light on the potential therapeutic feature of GP in recovering inflammatory diseases.

Inhibition of DNA Methylation and Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 Suppresses RPE Transdifferentiation: Relevance to Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in epiretinal membranes from patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and to investigate effects of inhibition of MeCP2 and DNA methylation on transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß-induced retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell transdifferentiation. METHODS: Expression of MeCP2 and its colocalization with cytokeratin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in surgically excised PVR membranes was studied using immunohistochemistry. The effects of 5-AZA-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-dC) on human RPE cell migration and viability were evaluated using a modified Boyden chamber assay and the colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Expression of RASAL1 mRNA and its promoter region methylation were evaluated by real-time PCR and methylation-specific PCR. Effects of 5-AZA-dC on expression of α-SMA, fibronectin (FN), and TGF-ß receptor 2 (TGF-ß R2) and Smad2/3 phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blotting. Effect of short interfering RNA (siRNA) knock-down of MeCP2 on expression of α-SMA and FN induced by TGFß was determined. RESULTS: MeCP2 was abundantly expressed in cells within PVR membranes where it was double labeled with cells positive for cytokeratin and α-SMA. 5-AZA-dC inhibited expression of MeCP2 and suppressed RASAL1 gene methylation while increasing expression of the RASAL1 gene. Treatment with 5-AZA-dC significantly suppressed the expression of α-SMA, FN, TGF-ß R2 and phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and inhibited RPE cell migration. TGF-ß induced expression of α-SMA, and FN was suppressed by knock-down of MeCP2. CONCLUSIONS: MeCP2 and DNA methylation regulate RPE transdifferentiation and may be involved in the pathogenesis of PVR.

Neural commitment of human pluripotent stem cells under defined conditions recapitulates neural development and generates patient-specific neural cells.

Standardization of culture methods for human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) neural differentiation can greatly contribute to the development of novel clinical advancements through the comprehension of neurodevelopmental diseases. Here, we report an approach that reproduces neural commitment from human induced pluripotent stem cells using dual-SMAD inhibition under defined conditions in a vitronectin-based monolayer system. By employing this method it was possible to obtain neurons derived from both control and Rett syndrome patients' pluripotent cells. During differentiation mutated cells displayed alterations in the number of neuronal projections, and production of Tuj1 and MAP2-positive neurons. Although investigation of a broader number of patients would be required, these observations are in accordance with previous studies showing impaired differentiation of these cells. Consequently, our experimental methodology was proved useful not only for the generation of neural cells, but also made possible to compare neural differentiation behavior of different cell lines under defined culture conditions. This study thus expects to contribute with an optimized approach to study the neural commitment of human PSCs, and to produce patient-specific neural cells that can be used to gain a better understanding of disease mechanisms.

Adrenergic Repression of the Epigenetic Reader MeCP2 Facilitates Cardiac Adaptation in Chronic Heart Failure.

RATIONALE: In chronic heart failure, increased adrenergic activation contributes to structural remodeling and altered gene expression. Although adrenergic signaling alters histone modifications, it is unknown, whether it also affects other epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation and its recognition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism of regulation of the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and its functional significance during cardiac pressure overload and unloading. METHODS AND RESULTS: MeCP2 was identified as a reversibly repressed gene in mouse hearts after transverse aortic constriction and was normalized after removal of the constriction. Similarly, MeCP2 repression in human failing hearts resolved after unloading by a left ventricular assist device. The cluster miR-212/132 was upregulated after transverse aortic constriction or on activation of α1- and ß1-adrenoceptors and miR-212/132 led to repression of MeCP2. Prevention of MeCP2 repression by a cardiomyocyte-specific, doxycycline-regulatable transgenic mouse model aggravated cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and contractile dysfunction after transverse aortic constriction. Ablation of MeCP2 in cardiomyocytes facilitated recovery of failing hearts after reversible transverse aortic constriction. Genome-wide expression analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, and DNA methylation analysis identified mitochondrial genes and their transcriptional regulators as MeCP2 target genes. Coincident with its repression, MeCP2 was removed from its target genes, whereas DNA methylation of MeCP2 target genes remained stable during pressure overload. CONCLUSIONS: These data connect adrenergic activation with a microRNA-MeCP2 epigenetic pathway that is important for cardiac adaptation during the development and recovery from heart failure.

Methyl CpG Binding Protein 2 Gene Disruption Augments Tonic Currents of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors in Locus Coeruleus Neurons: IMPACT ON NEURONAL EXCITABILITY AND BREATHING.

People with Rett syndrome and mouse models show autonomic dysfunction involving the brain stem locus coeruleus (LC). Neurons in the LC of Mecp2-null mice are overly excited, likely resulting from a defect in neuronal intrinsic membrane properties and a deficiency in GABA synaptic inhibition. In addition to the synaptic GABA receptors, there is a group of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) that is located extrasynaptically and mediates tonic inhibition. Here we show evidence for augmentation of the extrasynaptic GABAARs in Mecp2-null mice. In brain slices, exposure of LC neurons to GABAAR agonists increased tonic currents that were blocked by GABAAR antagonists. With 10 µm GABA, the bicuculline-sensitive tonic currents were ∼4-fold larger in Mecp2-null LC neurons than in the WT. Single-cell PCR analysis showed that the δ subunit, the principal subunit of extrasynaptic GABAARs, was present in LC neurons. Expression levels of the δ subunit were ∼50% higher in Mecp2-null neurons than in the WT. Also increased in expression in Mecp2-null mice was another extrasynaptic GABAAR subunit, α6, by ∼4-fold. The δ subunit-selective agonists 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol hydrochloride and 4-chloro-N-[2-(2-thienyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]]benzamide activated the tonic GABAA currents in LC neurons and reduced neuronal excitability to a greater degree in Mecp2-null mice than in the WT. Consistent with these findings, in vivo application of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol hydrochloride alleviated breathing abnormalities of conscious Mecp2-null mice. These results suggest that extrasynaptic GABAARs seem to be augmented with Mecp2 disruption, which may be a compensatory response to the deficiency in GABAergic synaptic inhibition and allows control of neuronal excitability and breathing abnormalities.