Project description:Injury of the CA1 subregion induced by a single injection of kainic acid (1×KA) is attenuated when juvenile animals (P20) have a history of two sustained neonatal seizures on P6 and P9. To identify gene candidates involved in the spatially protective effects produced by early life conditioning seizures, we profiled and compared the transcriptomes of CA1 subregions from control, 1×KA, and 3×KA treated animals. More genes were regulated following 3×KA (9.6%) than after 1×KA (7.1%). Following 1×KA, genes supporting oxidative stress, growth, development, inflammation, and neurotransmission were upregulated (e.g., Cacng1, Nadsyn1, Kcng1, Aven, S100a4, GFAP, Vim, Hrsp12, Grik1). After 3×KA, protective genes were differentially over-expressed (e.g., Cat, Gpx7, GAD1, Hspa12A, Foxn1, adenosine A1 receptor, Ca2+ adaptor and homeostatic proteins, Cacnb4, Atp2b2, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene members, intracellular trafficking protein, Grasp, suppressor of cytokine signaling (Socs3)). Distinct anti-inflammatory interleukins not observed in adult tissues (e.g., IL6 transducer, IL23 and IL33 or their receptors (ILF2)) were also over-expressed. Several transcripts were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) and immunohistochemistry. QPCR showed that casp 6 was increased after 1×KA but reduced after 3×KA; pro-inflammatory gene cox1 was either upregulated or unchanged after 1×KA but reduced by ~70% after 3×KA. Enhanced GFAP immunostaining following 1×KA was selectively attenuated in the CA1 subregion after 3×KA. The observed differential transcriptional responses may contribute to early life seizure-induced pre-conditioning and neuroprotection by reducing glutamate receptor-mediated Ca2+ permeability of the hippocampus and redirecting inflammatory and apoptotic pathways which could lead to new genetic therapies for epilepsy.
Project description:Recent improvements in the analysis ancient biomolecules from human remains and associated dental calculus have provided new insights into the prehistoric diet and past genetic diversity of our species. Here we present a “multi-omics” study, integrating genomic and proteomic analyses of two post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) individuals from San Teodoro cave (Italy), to reconstruct their lifestyle and the post-LGM resettlement of Europe. Our analyses show genetic homogeneity in Sicily during the Palaeolithic, representing a hitherto unknown Italian genetic lineage within the previously identified “Villabruna cluster”. We argue that this lineage took refuge in Italy during the LGM, followed by a subsequent spread to central-western Europe. Analyses of dental calculus using genomics and proteomics showed a similar oral microbiome composition as Neandertals, but distinct from later foragers and farmers, revealing also a diet based on mammals, fish and plants. Our results demonstrate the power of using a multi-omics approach in the study of prehistoric human populations.