Abstract
Summary MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression and associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders. Here, we report that exposing mice to chronic stress led to a specific increase in microRNA-15a levels in the amygdala-Ago2 complex and a concomitant reduction in the levels of its predicted target, FKBP51, which is implicated in stress-related psychiatric disorders. Reciprocally, mice expressing reduced levels of amygdalar microRNA-15a following exposure to chronic stress exhibited increased anxiety-like behaviors. In humans, pharmacological activation of the glucocorticoid receptor, as well as exposure to childhood trauma, was associated with increased microRNA-15a levels in peripheral blood. Taken together, our results support an important role for microRNA-15a in stress adaptation and the pathogenesis of stress-related psychopathologies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1882-1891 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Cell Reports |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 7 |
Early online date | 8 Nov 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 8 Nov 2016 |
Keywords
- amygdala
- FKBP5
- microRNA-15a
- chronic stress
- anxiety
- early life stress
- Ago2
- stress-related psychopathologies
- stress adaption
- childhood trauma