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Epigenetic bystander-like effects of stroke in somatic organs

Anna Kovalchuk1, Michael Lowings, Rocio Rodriguez-Juarez

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Aging
|April 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Stroke can cause epigenetic changes in distant organs, like the kidney. These stroke-induced bystander effects may explain the increased risk of kidney injury after a stroke.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Stroke is clinically linked to damage in distant somatic organs.
  • Genotoxic stress causes bystander effects mediated by epigenetic changes.
  • The potential for stroke to induce similar epigenetic bystander effects in organs like the kidney is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether stroke induces epigenetic bystander-like effects in the liver, kidney, and heart.
  • To analyze changes in histone modifications, gene expression, and microRNA profiles in kidney tissue post-stroke.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a rat model of stroke.
  • Analyzed histone modifications (H3K3 acetylation, H3K4 trimethylation, H3K9 trimethylation) in kidney tissue.
  • Performed gene and microRNA expression profiling in kidney tissues.

Main Results:

  • Stroke induced significant epigenetic alterations in kidney tissue, including increased H3K3 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation, and decreased H3K9 trimethylation.
  • Observed novel changes in gene and microRNA expression profiles in the kidneys of stroked rats.
  • The observed molecular changes in the kidney resemble those seen in kidney injury and inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Stroke can induce epigenetic bystander-like effects in the kidney.
  • These findings provide a molecular explanation for the increased incidence of acute kidney injury post-stroke.
  • The study offers a framework for understanding stroke-induced epigenetic changes in distal organs.

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