Does dysregulation of key epigenetic and biochemical pathways occur in postulated vasoactive neuropeptide autoimmune disorders?

Staines, Donald

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2005.05.034

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 58 publications

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“…A hallmark of epigenetically modifiable nuclear genes is their CpG-rich islands, a property shared, albeit little studied, by mitochondrial genes [1,99]. While epigenetic modification of traits encoded by nuclear genes has been established, it is only recently that evidence for a similar process for traits encoded by cytoplasmic genes.…”

Section: Transgenerational Epigenetic Imprint On the Nuclear Genome Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetics and its implications for behavioral neuroendocrinology

Crews

2008

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

146

115

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Individuals vary in their sociosexual behaviors and reactivity. How the organism interacts with the environment to produce this variation has been a focus in psychology since its inception as a scientific discipline. There is now no question that cumulative experiences throughout life history interact with genetic predispositions to shape the individual's behavior. Recent evidence suggests that events in past generations may also influence how an individual responds to events in their own life history. Epigenetics is the study of how the environment can affect the genome of the individual during its development as well as the development of its descendants, all without changing the DNA sequence. Several distinctions must be made if this research is to become a staple in behavioral neuroendocrinology. The first distinction concerns perspective, and the need to distinguish and appreciate, the differences between Molecular versus Molar epigenetics. Each has its own lineage of investigation, yet both appear to be unaware of one another. Second, it is important to distinguish the difference between Context-Dependent versus Germline-Dependent epigenetic modifications. In essence the difference is one of the mechanism of heritability or transmission within, as apposed to across, generations. This review illustrates these distinctions while describing several rodent models that have shown particular promise for unraveling the contribution of genetics and the environment on sociosexual behavior. The first focuses on genetically-modified mice and makes the point that the early litter environment alters subsequent brain activity and behavior. This work emphasizes the need to understand behavioral development when doing research with such animals. The second focuses on a new rat model in which the epigenome is permanently imprinted, an effect that crosses generations to impact the descendants without further exposure to the precipitating agent. This work raises the question of how events in generations past can have consequences at both the mechanistic, behavioral, and ultimately evolutionary levels.

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Section: Transgenerational Epigenetic Imprint On the Nuclear Genome Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetics and its implications for behavioral neuroendocrinology

Crews

2008

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

146

115

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Postulated Vasoactive Neuropeptide Autoimmunity in Fatigue‐Related Conditions: A Brief Review and Hypothesis

Staines

2006

Journal of Immunology Research

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Disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and gulf war syndrome (GWS) are characterised by prolonged fatigue and a range of debilitating symptoms of pain, intellectual and emotional impairment, chemical sensitivities and immunological dysfunction. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) surprisingly may have certain features in common with these conditions. Post-infection sequelae may be possible contributing factors although ongoing infection is unproven. Immunological aberration may prove to be associated with certain vasoactive neuropeptides (VN) in the context of molecular mimicry, inappropriate immunological memory and autoimmunity. Adenylate cyclase-activating VNs including pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) act as hormones, neurotransmitters, neuroregulators, immune modulators and neurotrophic substances. They and their receptors are potentially immunogenic. VNs are widely distributed in the body particularly in the central and peripheral nervous systems and have been identified in the gut, adrenal gland, blood cells, reproductive system, lung, heart and other tissues. They have a vital role in maintaining cardio-respiratory function, thermoregulation, memory, concentration and executive functions such as emotional responses including social cues and appropriate behaviour. They are co-transmitters for a number of neurotransmitters including acetylcholine and gaseous transmitters, are potent immune regulators with primarily anti-inflammatory activity, and have a significant role in protection of the nervous system against toxic assault as well as being important in the maintenance of homeostasis. This paper describes a biologically plausible mechanism for the development of certain fatigue-related syndromes based on loss of immunological tolerance to these VNs or their receptors following infection, other events or de novo resulting in significant pathophysiology possibly mediated via CpG fragments and heat shock (stress) proteins. These conditions extend the public health context of autoimmunity and VN dysregulation and have implications for military medicine where radiological, biological and chemical agents may have a role in pathogenesis. Possible treatment and prevention options are considered.

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Prolong Life with Nine Turn Method Qigong on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Terms of Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide and Folic Acid Levels

Xie

You

et al. 2022

SSRN Journal

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Does dysregulation of key epigenetic and biochemical pathways occur in postulated vasoactive neuropeptide autoimmune disorders?

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Epigenetics and its implications for behavioral neuroendocrinology

Epigenetics and its implications for behavioral neuroendocrinology

Postulated Vasoactive Neuropeptide Autoimmunity in Fatigue‐Related Conditions: A Brief Review and Hypothesis

Prolong Life with Nine Turn Method Qigong on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Terms of Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide and Folic Acid Levels

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