Maternal Protein Restriction Alters the Renal Ptger1 DNA Methylation State in SHRSP Offspring
NUTRIENTS
Authors: Miyoshi, Moe; Sato, Masayuki; Saito, Kenji; Otani, Lila; Shirahige, Katsuhiko; Miura, Fumihito; Ito, Takashi; Jia, Huijuan; Kato, Hisanori
Abstract
We previously reported that maternal protein restriction (LP) during pregnancy increases salt sensitivity in offspring using the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHRSP). In the present study, we focus on DNA methylation profiles of prostaglandin E receptor 1 gene (ptger1), which is known to be associated with hypertension. We evaluated the ptger1 DNA methylation status via bisulfite sequencing, and analyzed the expression of ptger1-related genes. The results of these analyses showed that, compared to controls, the LP-S offspring exhibited both marked ptger1 hypermethylation, and significantly increased ptger1 expression. Moreover, they also exhibited significantly decreased expression of the downstream gene epithelial Na+ channel alpha (enac). Interestingly, LP offspring that were provided with a standard water drinking supply (W) also exhibited increased ptger1 methylation and expression. Together, these results suggest that maternal protein restriction during pregnancy modulates the renal ptger1 DNA methylation state in SHRSP offspring, and thereby likely mediates ptger1 and enac gene expression to induce salt sensitivity.
Differential gene expression changes in the dorsal root versus trigeminal ganglia following peripheral nerve injury in rats
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
Authors: Korczeniewska, Olga A.; Rider, Giannina Katzmann; Gajra, Sheetal; Narra, Vivek; Ramavajla, Vaishnavi; Chang, Yun-Juan; Tao, Yuanxiang; Soteropoulos, Patricia; Husain, Seema; Khan, Junad; Eliav, Eli; Benoliel, Rafael
Abstract
Background The dorsal root (DRG) and trigeminal (TG) ganglia contain cell bodies of sensory neurons of spinal and trigeminal systems, respectively. They are homologs of each other; however, differences in how the two systems respond to injury exist. Trigeminal nerve injuries rarely result in chronic neuropathic pain (NP). To date, no genes involved in the differential response to nerve injury between the two systems have been identified. We examined transcriptional changes involved in the development of trigeminal and spinal NP. Methods Trigeminal and spinal mononueropathies were induced by chronic constriction injury to the infraorbital or sciatic nerve. Expression levels of 84 genes in the TG and DRG at 4, 8 and 21 days post-injury were measured using real-time PCR. Results We found time-dependent and ganglion-specific transcriptional regulation that may contribute to the development of corresponding neuropathies. Among genes significantly regulated in both ganglia Cnr2, Grm5, Htr1a, Il10, Oprd1, Pdyn, Prok2 and Tacr1 were up-regulated in the TG but down-regulated in the DRG at 4 days post-injury; at 21 days post-injury, Adora1, Cd200, Comt, Maob, Mapk3, P2rx4, Ptger1, Tnf and Slc6a2 were significantly up-regulated in the TG but down-regulated in the DRG. Conclusions Our findings suggest that spinal and trigeminal neuropathies due to trauma are differentially regulated. Subtle but important differences between the two ganglia may affect NP development. Significance We present distinct transcriptional alterations in the TG and DRG that may contribute to differences observed in the corresponding mononeuropathies. Since the trigeminal system seems more resistant to developing NP following trauma our findings lay ground for future research to detect genes and pathways that may act in a protective or facilitatory manner. These may be novel and important therapeutic targets.