{"title":"Prenatal exposure to CB2 receptors agonist differentially impacts male and female germ cells via histone modification","authors":"Alice Zucchi , Elisa Innocenzi , Angelo Onorato , Susanna Dolci , Ambra Colopi , Carmela Rita Balistreri , Paola Grimaldi","doi":"10.1016/j.mad.2023.111840","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing in the last few years potentially because of decreased perception of the risk of harm. Regardless, recent evidence demonstrated that prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with adverse outcomes. To date there is limited evidence of the impact of cannabis exposure during pregnancy on the reproductive health of the offspring. The biological effects of cannabis are mediated by two cannabinoid receptors, CB<sub>1</sub> and CB<sub>2</sub>. We previously demonstrated that CB<sub>2</sub> is highly expressed in mouse male and female fetal germ cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to a selective CB<sub>2</sub> agonist, JWH-133, on the long-term reproductive health of male and female offspring and on the involved molecular epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, we focused on epigenetic histone modifications that can silence or activate gene expression, playing a pivotal role in cell differentiation. We reported that prenatal activation of CB<sub>2</sub> has a sex-specific impact on germ cell development of the offspring. In male it determines a delay of germ cell differentiation coinciding with an enrichment of H3K27me3, while in female it causes a reduction of the follicles number through an increased apoptotic process not linked to modified H3K27me3 level.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":18340,"journal":{"name":"Mechanisms of Ageing and Development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 111840"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3000,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Mechanisms of Ageing and Development","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047637423000660","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"CELL BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing in the last few years potentially because of decreased perception of the risk of harm. Regardless, recent evidence demonstrated that prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with adverse outcomes. To date there is limited evidence of the impact of cannabis exposure during pregnancy on the reproductive health of the offspring. The biological effects of cannabis are mediated by two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. We previously demonstrated that CB2 is highly expressed in mouse male and female fetal germ cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to a selective CB2 agonist, JWH-133, on the long-term reproductive health of male and female offspring and on the involved molecular epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, we focused on epigenetic histone modifications that can silence or activate gene expression, playing a pivotal role in cell differentiation. We reported that prenatal activation of CB2 has a sex-specific impact on germ cell development of the offspring. In male it determines a delay of germ cell differentiation coinciding with an enrichment of H3K27me3, while in female it causes a reduction of the follicles number through an increased apoptotic process not linked to modified H3K27me3 level.
期刊介绍:
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development is a multidisciplinary journal aimed at revealing the molecular, biochemical and biological mechanisms that underlie the processes of aging and development in various species as well as of age-associated diseases. Emphasis is placed on investigations that delineate the contribution of macromolecular damage and cytotoxicity, genetic programs, epigenetics and genetic instability, mitochondrial function, alterations of metabolism and innovative anti-aging approaches. For all of the mentioned studies it is necessary to address the underlying mechanisms.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development publishes original research, review and mini-review articles. The journal also publishes Special Issues that focus on emerging research areas. Special issues may include all types of articles following peered review. Proposals should be sent directly to the Editor-in-Chief.