Effects of early life stress on hippocampal NPY-Y2 gene expression changes in male mice via DNA methylation


Kocamaz D.

FENS Forum 2022, Paris, France, 9 - 13 July 2022, pp.1553

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • City: Paris
  • Country: France
  • Page Numbers: pp.1553
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Early life stress (ELS) can induce epigenetically mediated long-lasting changes of gene expression, which may underlie altered responses towards stress at adulthood. The Neuropeptide Y system is involved the regulation of stress response throughout development via its receptors, specifically the activation of NPY-Y2 receptors has been shown to reduce NPY levels and enhance stress vulnerability. Here, we hypothesized that ELS (maternal separation) as well as adult stress (AS, as swim stress) changes the expression of hippocampal NPY-Y2 receptor gene. We investigated (i) if ELS and AS affect NPY-Y2 gene expression in the hippocampus of male mice via DNA methylation (ii) if ELS-induced epigenetic changes exert a programming effect on NPY-Y2 gene expression in response to AS. Animals were assigned to the following experimental groups: 1) controls, 2) ELS exposure, 3) AS exposure, 4) ELS+AS exposure. We found that ELS and AS have a main effect on NPY-Y2 gene expression and mean DNA-methylation. Especially, increased NPY-Y2 gene expression was found in the AS animals compared to other groups. Also, decreased mean DNA-methylation was found in the AS animals compared to control and ELS animals and increased mean DNA-methylation in ELS+AS animals compared to AS animals. In addition, we determined a strong negative correlation between NPY-Y2 gene expression and mean DNA-methylation. In conclusion, ELS seems to have a protective programming effect on NPY-Y2 gene expression in response to AS via DNA methylation. Therefore, it might be considered that ELS induces protective effects in males against consecutive stressors at later life periods.