: 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.

Zucchi, A., Innocenzi, E., Onorato, A., Dolci, S., Colopi, A., Balistreri, C.R., et al. (2023). Prenatal exposure to CB2 receptors agonist differentially impacts male and female germ cells via histone modification. MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND DEVELOPMENT, 213, 1-14 [10.1016/j.mad.2023.111840].

Prenatal exposure to CB2 receptors agonist differentially impacts male and female germ cells via histone modification

Balistreri, Carmela Rita
Penultimo
Supervision
;
Grimaldi, Paola
2023-07-02

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.
2-lug-2023
Zucchi, A., Innocenzi, E., Onorato, A., Dolci, S., Colopi, A., Balistreri, C.R., et al. (2023). Prenatal exposure to CB2 receptors agonist differentially impacts male and female germ cells via histone modification. MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND DEVELOPMENT, 213, 1-14 [10.1016/j.mad.2023.111840].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
1-s2.0-S0047637423000660-main13.07.23+due (1)_compressed.pdf

Solo gestori archvio

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale
Dimensione 899.99 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
899.99 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/600876
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact