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King C, Plakke B. Maternal choline supplementation modulates cognition and induces anti-inflammatory signaling in the prefrontal cortices of adolescent rats exposed to maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 40:100836. [PMID: 39206430 PMCID: PMC11350509 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection has long been described as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. Although many pathogens do not cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus directly, the maternal immune response to them is sufficient to alter fetal neurodevelopment, a phenomenon termed maternal immune activation (MIA). Low maternal choline is also a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, and most pregnant people do not receive enough of it. In addition to its role in neurodevelopment, choline is capable of inducing anti-inflammatory signaling through a nicotinic pathway. Therefore, it was hypothesized that maternal choline supplementation would blunt the neurodevelopmental impact of MIA in offspring through long-term instigation of cholinergic anti-inflammatory signaling. To model MIA in rats, the viral mimetic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) was used to elicit a maternal antiviral innate immune response in dams both with and without choline supplementation. Offspring were reared to both early and late adolescent stages (postnatal days 28 and 50, respectively), where anxiety-related behaviors and cognition were examined. After behavioral testing, animals were euthanized, and their prefrontal cortices (PFCs) were collected for analysis. MIA offspring demonstrated sex-specific patterns of altered cognition and repetitive behaviors, which were modulated by maternal choline supplementation. Choline supplementation also bolstered anti-inflammatory signaling in the PFCs of MIA animals at both early and late adolescent stages. These findings suggest that maternal choline supplementation may be sufficient to blunt some of the behavioral and neurobiological impacts of inflammatory exposures in utero, indicating that it may be a cheap, safe, and effective intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole King
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 1114 Mid-Campus Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Bethany Plakke
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, 1114 Mid-Campus Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
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2
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Munarriz-Cuezva E, Meana JJ. Poly (I:C)-induced maternal immune activation generates impairment of reversal learning performance in offspring. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 39183542 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) induces a variety of behavioral and brain abnormalities in offspring of rodent models, compatible with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia or autism. However, it remains controversial whether MIA impairs reversal learning, a basic expression of cognitive flexibility that seems to be altered in schizophrenia. In the present study, MIA was induced by administration of a single dose of polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly (I:C) (5 mg/kg i.p.)) or saline to mouse pregnant dams in gestational day (GD) 9.5. Immune activation was monitored through changes in weight and temperature. The offspring were evaluated when they reached adulthood (8 weeks) using a touchscreen-based system to investigate the effects of Poly (I:C) on discrimination and reversal learning performance. After an initial pre-training, mice were trained to discriminate between two different stimuli, of which only one was rewarded (acquisition phase). When the correct response reached above 80% values for two consecutive days, the images were reversed (reversal phase) to assess the adaptation capacity to a changing environment. Maternal Poly (I:C) treatment did not interfere with the learning process but induced deficits in reversal learning compared to control saline animals. Thus, the accuracy in the reversal phase was lower, and Poly (I:C) animals required more sessions to complete it, suggesting impairments in cognitive flexibility. This study advances the knowledge of how MIA affects behavior, especially cognitive domains that are impaired in schizophrenia. The findings support the validity of the Poly (I:C)-based MIA model as a tool to develop pharmacological treatments targeting cognitive deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Munarriz-Cuezva
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jose Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
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3
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Yates JR, Adhikari S, Bako RE, Berling KL, Broderick MR, Mains R, Zwick B. Methamphetamine increases risky choice in rats, but only when magnitude and probability of reinforcement are manipulated within a session. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 239:173751. [PMID: 38548247 PMCID: PMC11220734 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Risky choice is associated with maladaptive behaviors, particularly substance use disorders. Current animal models of risky choice are often confounded by other constructs like behavioral flexibility and suboptimal choice. The purpose of the current experiment was to determine if the psychostimulant methamphetamine, a drug whose popularity has increased in recent years, increases risky choice in an equivalent expected value (EEV) task. In the EEV task, rats are given a choice between two reinforcer alternatives that differ in magnitude and probability of delivery, but have equivalent expected value. Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were tested in three versions of the EEV task. In the first version of the EEV task, both reinforcer magnitude and probability were adjusted across blocks of trials for both alternatives. In the second and the third versions of the EEV task, reinforcer magnitude was held constant across each block of trials (either 1 vs. 2 pellets or 4 vs. 5 pellets). We found that male rats preferred the "riskier" option, except when reinforcer magnitudes were held constant at 4 and 5 pellets across each block of trials. Methamphetamine (0.5 mg/kg) increased preference for the risky option in both males and females, but only when both reinforcer magnitude and probability were manipulated across blocks of trials for each alternative. The current results demonstrate that both magnitude of reinforcement and probability of reinforcement interact to influence risky choice. Overall, this study provides additional support for using reinforcers with expected value to measure risky choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Yates
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America.
| | - Shreeukta Adhikari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America
| | - Rayah E Bako
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America
| | - Kevin L Berling
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America
| | - Maria R Broderick
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States of America
| | - Reuben Mains
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America; Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America
| | - Bradley Zwick
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America; Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, United States of America
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Wei M, Yang L, Su F, Liu Y, Zhao X, Luo L, Sun X, Liu S, Dong Z, Zhang Y, Shi YS, Liang J, Zhang C. ABHD6 drives endocytosis of AMPA receptors to regulate synaptic plasticity and learning flexibility. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 233:102559. [PMID: 38159878 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Trafficking of α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors (AMPARs), mediated by AMPAR interacting proteins, enabled neurons to maintain tuning capabilities at rest or active state. α/β-Hydrolase domain-containing 6 (ABHD6), an endocannabinoid hydrolase, was an AMPAR auxiliary subunit found to negatively regulate the surface delivery of AMPARs. While ABHD6 was found to prevent AMPAR tetramerization in endoplasmic reticulum, ABHD6 was also reported to localize at postsynaptic site. Yet, the role of ABHD6 interacting with AMPAR at postsynaptic site, and the physiological significance of ABHD6 regulating AMPAR trafficking remains elusive. Here, we generated the ABHD6 knockout (ABHD6KO) mice and found that deletion of ABHD6 selectively enhanced AMPAR-mediated basal synaptic responses and the surface expression of postsynaptic AMPARs. Furthermore, we found that loss of ABHD6 impaired hippocampal long-term depression (LTD) and synaptic downscaling in hippocampal synapses. AMPAR internalization assays revealed that ABHD6 was essential for neuronal activity-dependent endocytosis of surface AMPARs, which is independent of ABHD6's hydrolase activity. The defects of AMPAR endocytosis and LTD are expressed as deficits in learning flexibility in ABHD6KO mice. Collectively, we demonstrated that ABHD6 is an endocytic accessory protein promoting AMPAR endocytosis, thereby contributes to the formation of LTD, synaptic downscaling and reversal learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengping Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Lei Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Feng Su
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ying Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lin Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xinyue Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Sen Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhaoqi Dong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Research Institute, Key Lab for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of the PR China, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at PKU, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yun Stone Shi
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210032, China
| | - Jing Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China.
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5
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López-Aranda MF, Bach K, Bui R, Phan M, Lu O, Thadani C, Luchetti A, Mandanas R, Herrera I, López-Ávalos MD, Silva AJ. Early Post-Natal Immune Activation Leads to Object Memory Deficits in Female Tsc2+/- Mice: The Importance of Including Both Sexes in Neuroscience Research. Biomedicines 2024; 12:203. [PMID: 38255309 PMCID: PMC10813674 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that viral infections during pre-natal development constitute a risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders and lead to learning and memory deficits. However, little is known about why viral infections during early post-natal development have a different impact on learning and memory depending on the sex of the subject. We previously showed that early post-natal immune activation induces hippocampal-dependent social memory deficits in a male, but not in a female, mouse model of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC; Tsc2+/- mice). Here, we explored the impact of a viral-like immune challenge in object memory. We demonstrate that early post-natal immune activation (during the first 2 weeks of life) leads to object memory deficits in female, but not male, mice that are heterozygous for a gene responsible for tuberous sclerosis complex (Tsc2+/- mice), while no effect was observed in wild type (WT) mice. Moreover, we found that the same immune activation in Tsc2+/- adult mice was not able to cause object memory deficits in females, which suggests that the early post-natal development stage constitutes a critical window for the effects of immune challenge on adult memory. Also, our results suggest that mTOR plays a critical role in the observed deficit in object memory in female Tsc2+/- mice. These results, together with previous results published by our laboratory, showing sex-specific memory deficits due to early post-natal immune activation, reinforce the necessity of using both males and females for research studies. This is especially true for studies related to immune activation, since the higher levels of estrogens in females are known to affect inflammation and to provide neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel F. López-Aranda
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA)-Plataforma BIONAND, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - Karen Bach
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - Raymond Bui
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - Miranda Phan
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - Odilia Lu
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - Chirag Thadani
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - Alessandro Luchetti
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - Rochelle Mandanas
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - Isaiah Herrera
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
| | - María Dolores López-Ávalos
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA)-Plataforma BIONAND, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - Alcino J. Silva
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory and Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA (A.J.S.)
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6
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Sandini TM, Onofrychuk TJ, Roebuck AJ, Hammond SA, Udenze D, Hayat S, Herdzik MA, McElroy DL, Orvold SN, Greba Q, Laprairie RB, Howland JG. Repeated Exposure to High-THC Cannabis Smoke during Gestation Alters Sex Ratio, Behavior, and Amygdala Gene Expression of Sprague Dawley Rat Offspring. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0100-23.2023. [PMID: 37957008 PMCID: PMC10687874 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0100-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Because of the legalization of Cannabis in many jurisdictions and the trend of increasing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in Cannabis products, an urgent need exists to understand the impact of Cannabis use during pregnancy on fetal neurodevelopment and behavior. To this end, we exposed female Sprague Dawley rats to Cannabis smoke daily from gestational day 6 to 20 or room air. Maternal reproductive parameters, offspring behavior, and gene expression in the offspring amygdala were assessed. Body temperature was decreased in dams following smoke exposure and more fecal boli were observed in the chambers before and after smoke exposure in dams exposed to smoke. Maternal weight gain, food intake, gestational length, litter number, and litter weight were not altered by exposure to Cannabis smoke. A significant increase in the male-to-female ratio was noted in the Cannabis-exposed litters. In adulthood, male and female Cannabis smoke-exposed offspring explored the inner zone of an open field significantly less than control offspring. Gestational Cannabis smoke exposure did not affect behavior on the elevated plus maze test or social interaction test in the offspring. Cannabis offspring were better at visual pairwise discrimination and reversal learning tasks conducted in touchscreen-equipped operant conditioning chambers. Analysis of gene expression in the adult amygdala using RNA sequencing revealed subtle changes in genes related to development, cellular function, and nervous system disease in a subset of the male offspring. These results demonstrate that repeated exposure to high-THC Cannabis smoke during gestation alters maternal physiological parameters, sex ratio, and anxiety-like behaviors in the adulthood offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaisa M Sandini
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Timothy J Onofrychuk
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Andrew J Roebuck
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
- School of Liberal Arts, Yukon University, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory Y1A 5K4, Canada
| | - S Austin Hammond
- Global Institute for Food Security, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 4L8, Canada
| | - Daniel Udenze
- Next Generation Sequencing Facility, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Shahina Hayat
- Deparment of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Melissa A Herdzik
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Dan L McElroy
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Spencer N Orvold
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Robert B Laprairie
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
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Hanson KL, Grant SE, Funk LH, Schumann CM, Bauman MD. Impact of Maternal Immune Activation on Nonhuman Primate Prefrontal Cortex Development: Insights for Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:460-469. [PMID: 35773097 PMCID: PMC9888668 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Late adolescence is a period of dynamic change in the brain as humans learn to navigate increasingly complex environments. In particular, prefrontal cortical (PFC) regions undergo extensive remodeling as the brain is fine-tuned to orchestrate cognitive control over attention, reasoning, and emotions. Late adolescence also presents a uniquely vulnerable period as neurodevelopmental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, become evident and worsen into young adulthood. Challenges in early development, including prenatal exposure to infection, may set the stage for a cascade of maladaptive events that ultimately result in aberrant PFC connectivity and function before symptoms emerge. A growing body of research suggests that activation of the mother's immune system during pregnancy may act as a disease primer, in combination with other environmental and genetic factors, contributing to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia. Animal models provide an invaluable opportunity to examine the course of brain and behavioral changes in offspring exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA). Although the vast majority of MIA research has been carried out in rodents, here we highlight the translational utility of the nonhuman primate (NHP) as a model species more closely related to humans in PFC structure and function. In this review, we consider the protracted period of brain and behavioral maturation in the NHP, describe emerging findings from MIA NHP offspring in the context of rodent preclinical models, and lastly explore the translational relevance of the NHP MIA model to expand understanding of the etiology and developmental course of PFC pathology in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari L Hanson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Simone E Grant
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Lucy H Funk
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Cynthia M Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.
| | - Melissa D Bauman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.
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8
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Sandoval KC, Thackray SE, Wong A, Niewinski N, Chipak C, Rehal S, Dyck RH. Lack of Vesicular Zinc Does Not Affect the Behavioral Phenotype of Polyinosinic:Polycytidylic Acid-Induced Maternal Immune Activation Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:769322. [PMID: 35273483 PMCID: PMC8902171 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.769322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc is important in neural and synaptic development and neuronal transmission. Within the brain, zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) is essential for zinc uptake into vesicles. Loss of vesicular zinc has been shown to produce neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD)-like behavior, such as decreased social interaction and increased anxiety- and repetitive-like behavior. Maternal immune activation (MIA) has been identified as an environmental factor for NDDs, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia (SZ), in offspring, which occurs during pregnancy when the mother’s immune system reacts to the exposure to viruses or infectious diseases. In this study, we investigated the interaction effect of a genetic factor [ZnT3 knockout (KO) mice] and an environmental factor (MIA). We induced MIA in pregnant female (dams) mice during mid-gestation, using polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C), which mimics a viral infection. Male and female ZnT3 KO and wild-type (WT) offspring were tested in five behavioral paradigms: Ultrasonic Vocalizations (USVs) at postnatal day 9 (P9), Open Field Test, Marble Burying Test, three-Chamber Social Test, and Pre-pulse Inhibition (PPI) in adulthood (P60–75). Our results indicate that loss of vesicular zinc does not result in enhanced ASD- and SZ-like phenotype compared to WT, nor does it show a more pronounced phenotype in male ZnT3 KO compared to female ZnT3 KO. Finally, MIA offspring demonstrated an ASD- and SZ-like phenotype only in specific behavioral tests: increased calls emitted in USVs and fewer marbles buried. Our results suggest that there is no interaction between the loss of vesicular zinc and MIA induction in the susceptibility to developing an ASD- and SZ-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Celina Sandoval
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah E. Thackray
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alison Wong
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nicole Niewinski
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Colten Chipak
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Suhkjinder Rehal
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Richard H. Dyck
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Richard H. Dyck,
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9
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Maleninska K, Janikova M, Radostova D, Vojtechova I, Petrasek T, Kirdajova D, Anderova M, Svoboda J, Stuchlik A. Selective deficits in attentional set-shifting in mice induced by maternal immune activation with poly(I:C). Behav Brain Res 2022; 419:113678. [PMID: 34838932 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation has been identified as a significant risk factor for schizophrenia. Using rodent models, past work has demonstrated various behavioral and brain impairments in offspring after immune-activating events. We applied 5 mg/kg of poly(I:C) on gestation day 9 to pregnant mouse dams, whose offspring were then stressed during puberty. We show impairments in attentional set-shifting in a T-maze, and a decreased number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the hippocampus as a result of peripubertal stress specifically in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Maleninska
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Janikova
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic; First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dominika Radostova
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Vojtechova
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Petrasek
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Kirdajova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslava Anderova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Svoboda
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Laboratory of the Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 14220, Czech Republic.
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10
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Nakamura JP, Schroeder A, Gibbons A, Sundram S, Hill RA. Timing of maternal immune activation and sex influence schizophrenia-relevant cognitive constructs and neuregulin and GABAergic pathways. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 100:70-82. [PMID: 34808289 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is an established environmental risk factor for schizophrenia. Timing of immune activation exposure as well as sex of the exposed offspring are critical factors in defining the effects of MIA. However, the specificity of MIA on the component structure of schizophrenia, especially cognition, has been difficult to assess due to a lack of translational validity of maze-like testing paradigms. We aimed to assess cognitive domains relevant to schizophrenia using highly translational touchscreen-based tasks in male and female mice exposed to the viral mimetic, poly(I:C) (5 mg/k, i.p.), during early (gestational day (GD) 9-11) and late (GD13-15) gestational time points. Gene expression of schizophrenia candidate pathways were assessed in fetal brain immediately following poly(I:C) exposure and in adulthood to identify its influence on neurodevelopmental processes. Sex and window specific alterations in cognitive performance were found with the early window of MIA exposure causing female-specific disruptions to working memory and reduced perseverative behaviour, while late MIA exposure caused male-specific changes to working memory and deficits in reversal learning. GABAergic specification marker, Nkx2.1 gene expression was reduced in fetal brains and reelin expression was reduced in adult hippocampus of both early and late poly(I:C) exposed mice. Neuregulin and EGF signalling were initially upregulated in the fetal brain, but were reduced in the adult hippocampus, with male mice exposed in the late window showing reduced Nrg3 expression. Serine racemase was reduced in both fetal and adult brain, but again, adult reductions were specific to male mice exposed at the late time point. Overall, we show that cognitive constructs relevant to schizophrenia are altered by in utero exposure to maternal immune activation, but are highly dependent on the timing of infection and the sex of the offspring. Glutamatergic and epidermal growth factor pathways were similarly altered by MIA in a timing and sex dependent manner, while MIA-induced GABAergic deficits were independent of timing or sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Nakamura
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - A Schroeder
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - A Gibbons
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - S Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - R A Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
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11
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Lins B. Maternal immune activation as a risk factor for psychiatric illness in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 16:100297. [PMID: 34308388 PMCID: PMC8279925 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation, due to infectious pathogens or other non-infectious stimuli, during pregnancy is associated with elevated risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism in the offspring. Although historically identified through retrospective epidemiologic studies, the relationship between maternal immune activation and offspring neurodevelopmental disease risk is now well established because of clinical studies which utilized prospective birth cohorts, serologically confirmed infection records, and subsequent long-term offspring follow-up. These efforts have been corroborated by preclinical research which demonstrates anatomical, biochemical, and behavioural alterations that resemble the clinical features of psychiatric illnesses. Intervention studies further demonstrate causal roles of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, in these long-lasting changes in behaviour and brain. This review summarizes a selection of maternal immune activation literature that explores the relationship between these inflammatory mediators and the neuropsychiatric-like effects later observed in the offspring. This literature is presented alongside emerging information regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, with discussion of how these data may inform future research regarding the effects of the present coronavirus pandemic on emerging birth cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney Lins
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
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12
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Haddad FL, Lu L, Baines KJ, Schmid S. Sensory filtering disruption caused by poly I:C - Timing of exposure and other experimental considerations. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 9:100156. [PMID: 34589898 PMCID: PMC8474281 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) in response to infection during pregnancy has been linked through various epidemiological and preclinical studies to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia in exposed offspring. Sensory filtering disruptions occur in both of these disorders and are typically measured using the acoustic startle response in both humans and rodents. Our study focuses on characterizing the baseline reactivity, habituation and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response following exposure to MIA. We induced MIA using polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) at gestational day (GD) 9.5 or 14.5, and we tested sensory filtering phenotypes in adolescent and adult offspring. Our results show that startle reactivity was robustly increased in adult GD9.5 but not GD14.5 poly I:C offspring. In contrast to some previous studies, we found no consistent changes in short-term habituation, long-term habituation or prepulse inhibition of startle. Our study highlights the importance of MIA exposure timing and discusses sensory filtering phenotypes as they relate to ASD, schizophrenia and the poly I:C MIA model. Moreover, we analyze and discuss the potential impact of between- and within-litter variability on behavioural findings in poly I:C studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faraj L Haddad
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, Canada
| | - Lu Lu
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neurology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kelly J Baines
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, Canada
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13
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Plataki ME, Diskos K, Sougklakos C, Velissariou M, Georgilis A, Stavroulaki V, Sidiropoulou K. Effect of Neonatal Treatment With the NMDA Receptor Antagonist, MK-801, During Different Temporal Windows of Postnatal Period in Adult Prefrontal Cortical and Hippocampal Function. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:689193. [PMID: 34177484 PMCID: PMC8230549 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.689193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neonatal MK-801 model of schizophrenia has been developed based on the neurodevelopmental and NMDA receptor hypofunction hypotheses of schizophrenia. This animal model is generated with the use of the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, during different temporal windows of postnatal life of rodents leading to behavioral defects in adulthood. However, no studies have examined the role of specific postnatal time periods in the neonatal MK-801 (nMK-801) rodent model and the resulting behavioral and neurobiological effects. Thus, the goal of this study is to systematically investigate the role of NMDA hypofunction, during specific temporal windows in postnatal life on different cognitive and social behavioral paradigms, as well as various neurobiological effects during adulthood. Both female and male mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with MK-801 during postnatal days 7-14 (p7-14) or 11-15 (p11-15). Control mice were injected with saline during the respective time period. In adulthood, mice were tested in various cognitive and social behavioral tasks. Mice nMK-801-treated on p7-14 show impaired performance in the novel object, object-to-place, and temporal order object recognition (TOR) tasks, the sociability test, and contextual fear extinction. Mice nMK-801-treated on p11-15 only affects performance in the TOR task, the social memory test, and contextual fear extinction. No differences were identified in the expression of NMDA receptor subunits, the synapsin or PSD-95 proteins, either in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) or the hippocampus (HPC), brain regions significantly affected in schizophrenia. The number of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing cells is significantly reduced in the PFC, but not in the HPC, of nMK-801-treated mice on p7-14 compared to their controls. No differences in PV-expressing cells (PFC or HPC) were identified in nMK-801-treated mice on p11-15. We further examined PFC function by recording spontaneous activity in a solution that allows up state generation. We find that the frequency of up states is significantly reduced in both nMK-801-treated mice on p7-14 and p11-15 compared to saline-treated mice. Furthermore, we find adaptations in the gamma and high gamma activity in nMK-801-treated mice. In conclusion, our results show that MK-801 treatment during specific postnatal temporal windows has differential effects on cognitive and social behaviors, as well as on underlying neurobiological substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Plataki
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Diskos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Kyriaki Sidiropoulou
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
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14
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Involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in schizophrenia-like behaviour in young animals after maternal immune activation. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2020; 32:321-327. [PMID: 32660670 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2020.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the involvement of nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in schizophrenia-like behaviour in young animals exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA). METHODS To this aim, on the 15th gestational day, the females received an injection of lipopolysaccharides. When the animals completed 7, 14 and 45 postnatal days, they were killed and the whole brain was dissected for biochemical analysis. Animals with 45 postnatal days were submitted to behavioural tests of locomotor activity, social interaction and stereotyped movements. RESULTS It was observed that the animals presented schizophrenia-like behaviour at 45 postnatal days associated with the increase of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and IL-1β levels on 7, 14 and 45 postnatal days. CONCLUSION This study shows that MIA may be associated with a schizophrenia-like behaviour. This behaviour can be induced to a neuroinflammatory profile in the brain. These evidences may base future studies on the relationship between neuroinflammation and psychiatric disorders.
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15
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Goh JY, O'Sullivan SE, Shortall SE, Zordan N, Piccinini AM, Potter HG, Fone KCF, King MV. Gestational poly(I:C) attenuates, not exacerbates, the behavioral, cytokine and mTOR changes caused by isolation rearing in a rat 'dual-hit' model for neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 89:100-117. [PMID: 32485291 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many psychiatric illnesses have a multifactorial etiology involving genetic and environmental risk factors that trigger persistent neurodevelopmental impairments. Several risk factors have been individually replicated in rodents, to understand disease mechanisms and evaluate novel treatments, particularly for poorly-managed negative and cognitive symptoms. However, the complex interplay between various factors remains unclear. Rodent dual-hit neurodevelopmental models offer vital opportunities to examine this and explore new strategies for early therapeutic intervention. This study combined gestational administration of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C); PIC, to mimic viral infection during pregnancy) with post-weaning isolation of resulting offspring (to mirror adolescent social adversity). After in vitro and in vivo studies required for laboratory-specific PIC characterization and optimization, we administered 10 mg/kg i.p. PIC potassium salt to time-mated Lister hooded dams on gestational day 15. This induced transient hypothermia, sickness behavior and weight loss in the dams, and led to locomotor hyperactivity, elevated striatal cytokine levels, and increased frontal cortical JNK phosphorylation in the offspring at adulthood. Remarkably, instead of exacerbating the well-characterized isolation syndrome, gestational PIC exposure actually protected against a spectrum of isolation-induced behavioral and brain regional changes. Thus isolation reared rats exhibited locomotor hyperactivity, impaired associative memory and reversal learning, elevated hippocampal and frontal cortical cytokine levels, and increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation in the frontal cortex - which were not evident in isolates previously exposed to gestational PIC. Brains from adolescent littermates suggest little contribution of cytokines, mTOR or JNK to early development of the isolation syndrome, or resilience conferred by PIC. But notably hippocampal oxytocin, which can protect against stress, was higher in adolescent PIC-exposed isolates so might contribute to a more favorable outcome. These findings have implications for identifying individuals at risk for disorders like schizophrenia who may benefit from early therapeutic intervention, and justify preclinical assessment of whether adolescent oxytocin manipulations can modulate disease onset or progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Yin Goh
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Saoirse E O'Sullivan
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby DE22 3DT, UK
| | - Sinead E Shortall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Nicole Zordan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Anna M Piccinini
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Harry G Potter
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Kevin C F Fone
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Madeleine V King
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
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16
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Haddad FL, Patel SV, Schmid S. Maternal Immune Activation by Poly I:C as a preclinical Model for Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A focus on Autism and Schizophrenia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:546-567. [PMID: 32320814 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) in response to a viral infection during early and mid-gestation has been linked through various epidemiological studies to a higher risk for the child to develop autism or schizophrenia-related symptoms.. This has led to the establishment of the pathogen-free poly I:C-induced MIA animal model for neurodevelopmental disorders, which shows relatively high construct and face validity. Depending on the experimental variables, particularly the timing of poly I:C administration, different behavioural and molecular phenotypes have been described that relate to specific symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and/or schizophrenia. We here review and summarize epidemiological evidence for the effects of maternal infection and immune activation, as well as major findings in different poly I:C MIA models with a focus on poly I:C exposure timing, behavioural and molecular changes in the offspring, and characteristics of the model that relate it to autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faraj L Haddad
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Salonee V Patel
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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17
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Gogos A, Sbisa A, Witkamp D, van den Buuse M. Sex differences in the effect of maternal immune activation on cognitive and psychosis-like behaviour in Long Evans rats. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2614-2626. [PMID: 31901174 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of development of schizophrenia in later life. There are sex differences in schizophrenia, particularly in terms of age of onset, course of illness and severity of symptoms. However, there is limited and inconsistent literature on sex differences in the effects of maternal immune activation on behaviour with relevance to schizophrenia. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate sex differences in the effects of maternal immune activation by treating Long Evans rats with poly(I:C) on gestational day 15. We compared adult male and female offspring on spatial working memory in the touchscreen trial-unique nonmatching-to-location task, pairwise discrimination and reversal learning, as well as on prepulse inhibition and psychotropic drug-induced locomotor hyperactivity. Male, but not female poly(I:C) offspring displayed a deficit in spatial working memory, particularly at the longer delay. Neither pairwise discrimination nor reversal learning showed an effect of poly(I:C), but female controls outperformed male controls in the reversal learning task. Significant reduction of prepulse inhibition and enhancement of acute methamphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity was found similarly in male and female poly(I:C) offspring. These results show that maternal immune activation induces a range of behavioural effects in the offspring, with sex specificity in the effects of maternal immune activation on some aspects of cognition, but not psychosis-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alyssa Sbisa
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Diede Witkamp
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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18
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Environmental influences on placental programming and offspring outcomes following maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 83:44-55. [PMID: 31493445 PMCID: PMC6906258 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.08.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse experiences during pregnancy induce placental programming, affecting the fetus and its developmental trajectory. However, the influence of 'positive' maternal experiences on the placenta and fetus remain unclear. In animal models of early life stress, environmental enrichment (EE) has ameliorated and even prevented associated impairments in brain and behavior. Here, using a maternal immune activation (MIA) model in rats, we test whether EE attenuates maternal, placental and/or fetal responses to an inflammatory challenge, thereby offering a mechanism by which fetal programming may be prevented. Moreover, we evaluate life-long EE exposure on offspring development and examine a constellation of genes and epigenetic writers that may protect against MIA challenges. In our model, maternal plasma corticosterone and interleukin-1β were elevated 3 h after MIA, validating the maternal inflammatory response. Evidence for developmental programming was demonstrated by a simultaneous decrease in the placental enzymes Hsd11b2 and Hsd11b2/Hsd11b1, suggesting disturbances in glucocorticoid metabolism. Reductions of Hsd11b2 in response to challenge is thought to result in excess glucocorticoid exposure to the fetus and altered glucocorticoid receptor expression, increasing susceptibility to behavioral impairments later in life. The placental, but not maternal, glucocorticoid implications of MIA were attenuated by EE. There were also sustained changes in epigenetic writers in both placenta and fetal brain as a consequence of environmental experience and sex. Following MIA, both male and female juvenile animals were impaired in social discrimination ability. Life-long EE mitigated these impairments, in addition to the sex specific MIA associated disruptions in central Fkbp5 and Oprm1. These data provide the first evidence that EE protects placental functioning during stressor exposure, underscoring the importance of addressing maternal health and well-being throughout pregnancy. Future work must evaluate critical periods of EE use to determine if postnatal EE experience is necessary, or if prenatal exposure alone is sufficient to confer protection.
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19
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Osborne AL, Solowij N, Babic I, Lum JS, Huang XF, Newell KA, Weston-Green K. Cannabidiol improves behavioural and neurochemical deficits in adult female offspring of the maternal immune activation (poly I:C) model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 81:574-587. [PMID: 31326506 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a major source of disability in schizophrenia and current antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have minimal efficacy for this symptom domain. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-intoxicating component of Cannabis sativa L., exhibits antipsychotic and neuroprotective properties. We recently reported the effects of CBD on cognition in male offspring of a maternal immune activation (polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid (poly I:C)) model relevant to the aetiology of schizophrenia; however, the effects of CBD treatment in females are unknown. Sex differences are observed in the onset of schizophrenia symptoms and response to APD treatment. Furthermore, the endogenous cannabinoid system, a direct target of CBD, is sexually dimorphic in humans and rodents. Therefore, the present work aimed to assess the therapeutic impact of CBD treatment on behaviour and neurochemical signalling markers in female poly I:C offspring. Time-mated pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16) were administered poly I:C (4 mg/kg; i.v.) or saline (control) on gestational day 15. From postnatal day 56, female offspring received CBD (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle treatment for approximately 3 weeks. Following 2 weeks of CBD treatment, offspring underwent behavioural testing, including the novel object recognition, rewarded alternation T-maze and social interaction tests to assess recognition memory, working memory and sociability, respectively. After 3 weeks of CBD treatment, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC) were collected to assess effects on endocannabinoid, glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling markers. CBD attenuated poly I:C-induced deficits in recognition memory, social interaction and glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) binding in the PFC of poly I:C offspring. Working memory performance was similar between treatment groups. CBD also increased glutamate decarboxylase 67, the rate-limiting enzyme that converts glutamate to GABA, and parvalbumin protein levels in the HPC. In contrast to the CBD treatment effects observed in poly I:C offspring, CBD administration to control rats reduced social interaction, cannabinoid CB1 receptor and NMDAR binding density in the PFC, suggesting that CBD administration to healthy rats may have negative consequences on social behaviour and brain maturation in adulthood. Overall, the findings of this study support the therapeutic benefits of CBD on recognition memory and sociability in female poly I:C offspring, and provide insight into the neurochemical changes that may underlie the therapeutic benefits of CBD in the poly I:C model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh L Osborne
- Neuropharmacology and Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Nadia Solowij
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Ilijana Babic
- Neuropharmacology and Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Jeremy S Lum
- Neuropharmacology and Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- Centre for Translational Neuroscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Kelly A Newell
- Neuropharmacology and Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Katrina Weston-Green
- Neuropharmacology and Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Centre for Translational Neuroscience, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Australian Centre for Cannabinoid Clinical and Research Excellence, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia.
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20
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Lammert CR, Lukens JR. Modeling Autism-Related Disorders in Mice with Maternal Immune Activation (MIA). Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1960:227-236. [PMID: 30798536 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9167-9_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has emerged as one of the most prevalent and poorly understood disorders of our time. The etiology of autism currently remains poorly understood; however, emerging clinical and experimental evidence suggests central roles for maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy in ASD. In particular, children whose mothers suffered from an infectious disease or other inflammatory conditions during pregnancy are at a substantially higher risk of developing ASD. It has been shown that MIA-induced ASD can be modeled by treating pregnant mice with the viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C) during key neurodevelopmental time points. In this paradigm, PolyI:C treatment induces systemic inflammatory responses that model MIA during viral infections. Offspring from PolyI:C-treated mothers develop many of the defining features of ASD including defects in social interactions, communicative impairments, and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors, as well as neuropathologies that are commonly observed in human ASD. While the early use of this emerging ASD model system has provided important initial insights into the involvement of gestational immune dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorder pathogenesis, we have only just begun to scratch the surface in our understanding of how MIA affects brain maturation and contributes to neurodevelopmental disease. Here we describe best practices for how the PolyI:C model of MIA can be used to study autism-related disorders in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine R Lammert
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John R Lukens
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. .,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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21
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Sex-Dependent Effects of Perinatal Inflammation on the Brain: Implication for Neuro-Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092270. [PMID: 31071949 PMCID: PMC6539135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals born preterm have higher rates of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia, autistic spectrum, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders. These conditions are often sexually dimorphic and with different developmental trajectories. The etiology is likely multifactorial, however, infections both during pregnancy and in childhood have emerged as important risk factors. The association between sex- and age-dependent vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders has been suggested to relate to immune activation in the brain, including complex interactions between sex hormones, brain transcriptome, activation of glia cells, and cytokine production. Here, we will review sex-dependent effects on brain development, including glia cells, both under normal physiological conditions and following perinatal inflammation. Emphasis will be given to sex-dependent effects on brain regions which play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders and inflammatory reactions that may underlie early-life programming of neurobehavioral disturbances later in life.
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22
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Maternal Immune Activation during Pregnancy Alters the Behavior Profile of Female Offspring of Sprague Dawley Rats. eNeuro 2019; 6:eN-NWR-0437-18. [PMID: 31016229 PMCID: PMC6477592 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0437-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences are documented in psychiatric and neurological disorders, yet most preclinical animal research has been conducted in males only. There is a need to better understand of the nature of sex differences in brain disease in order to meet the needs of psychiatric patients. We present the behavior profile of adult female offspring produced using a maternal immune activation (MIA) model where pregnant rats receive an immune stimulant and the offspring typically show various abnormalities consistent with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and autism. The results in female offspring were compared to a previously published cohort of their male siblings (Lins et al., 2018). We examined prepulse inhibition (PPI), sociability, MK-801-induced locomotor activity, crossmodal object recognition (CMOR), and oddity discrimination; behaviors relevant to the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. No between-treatment differences in PPI or locomotor activity were noted. Tactile memory was observed in the control and treated female offspring, visual recognition memory was deficient in the polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) offspring only, and both groups lacked crossmodal recognition. PolyI:C offspring were impaired in oddity preference and had reduced preference for a stranger conspecific in a sociability assay. Systemic maternal CXCL1, IL-6, and TNF-a levels 3 h after polyI:C treatment were determined, but no relationship was found between these cytokines and the behavior seen in the adult female offspring. Overall, female offspring of polyI:C-treated dams display an array of behavior abnormalities relevant to psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia similar to those previously reported in male rats.
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23
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Mac Giollabhui N, Breen EC, Murphy SK, Maxwell SD, Cohn BA, Krigbaum NY, Cirillo PM, Perez C, Alloy LB, Drabick DAG, Ellman LM. Maternal inflammation during pregnancy and offspring psychiatric symptoms in childhood: Timing and sex matter. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 111:96-103. [PMID: 30690329 PMCID: PMC6644717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Maternal infection during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of offspring psychopathology, including depression. As most infections do not cross the placenta, maternal immune responses to infection have been considered as potentially contributing to this relationship. This study examined whether gestational timing of maternal inflammation during pregnancy is associated with offspring internalizing and/or externalizing symptoms during childhood and, further, whether fetal sex moderated this relationship. METHOD Participants were 737 pregnant women and their offspring who were continuously followed through late childhood. Archived first and second trimester sera were analyzed for markers of inflammation [interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-II (sTNF-RII)]. When offspring were aged 9-11, mothers completed a questionnaire assessing psychological symptoms. RESULTS Multivariate regression analyses indicated that elevated IL-8 in the first trimester was associated with significantly higher levels of externalizing symptoms in offspring. Higher IL-1ra in the second trimester was associated with higher offspring internalizing symptoms. Further, second trimester IL-1ra was associated with increased internalizing symptoms in females only. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that elevated maternal inflammation during pregnancy is associated with the emergence of separate psychological phenotypes and that timing of exposure and fetal sex matter for offspring outcomes. Given that internalizing and externalizing symptoms in childhood increase risk for a variety of mental disorders later in development, these findings potentially have major implications for early intervention and prevention work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth C Breen
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Shannon K Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Seth D Maxwell
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Barbara A Cohn
- Child Health and Development Studies, Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Nickilou Y Krigbaum
- Child Health and Development Studies, Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Piera M Cirillo
- Child Health and Development Studies, Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Christian Perez
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Lauren B Alloy
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Lauren M Ellman
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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24
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Amodeo DA, Lai CY, Hassan O, Mukamel EA, Behrens MM, Powell SB. Maternal immune activation impairs cognitive flexibility and alters transcription in frontal cortex. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 125:211-218. [PMID: 30716470 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies suggest that the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia is increased by prenatal exposure to viral or bacterial infection during pregnancy. It is still unclear how activation of the maternal immune response interacts with underlying genetic factors to influence observed ASD phenotypes. METHODS The current study investigated how maternal immune activation (MIA) in mice impacts gene expression in the frontal cortex in adulthood, and how these molecular changes relate to deficits in cognitive flexibility and social behavior, and increases in repetitive behavior that are prevalent in ASD. Poly(I:C) (20 mg/kg) was administered to dams on E12.5 and offspring were tested for social approach behavior, repetitive grooming, and probabilistic reversal learning in adulthood (n = 8 vehicle; n = 9 Poly(I:C)). We employed next-generation high-throughput mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to comprehensively investigate the transcriptome profile in frontal cortex of adult offspring of Poly(I:C)-exposed dams. RESULTS Exposure to poly(I:C) during gestation impaired probabilistic reversal learning and decreased social approach in MIA offspring compared to controls. We found long-term effects of MIA on expression of 24 genes, including genes involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission, mTOR signaling and potassium ion channel activity. Correlations between gene expression and specific behavioral measures provided insight into genes that may be responsible for ASD-like behavioral alterations. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that MIA can lead to impairments in cognitive flexibility in mice similar to those exhibited in ASD individuals, and that these impairments are associated with altered gene expression in frontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionisio A Amodeo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, United States
| | - Chi-Yu Lai
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Omron Hassan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Eran A Mukamel
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, CA 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - M Margarita Behrens
- Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
| | - Susan B Powell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; VISN-22 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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25
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Winship IR, Dursun SM, Baker GB, Balista PA, Kandratavicius L, Maia-de-Oliveira JP, Hallak J, Howland JG. An Overview of Animal Models Related to Schizophrenia. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2019; 64:5-17. [PMID: 29742910 PMCID: PMC6364139 DOI: 10.1177/0706743718773728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder that is poorly treated with current therapies. In this brief review, we provide an update regarding the use of animal models to study schizophrenia in an attempt to understand its aetiology and develop novel therapeutic strategies. Tremendous progress has been made developing and validating rodent models that replicate the aetiologies, brain pathologies, and behavioural abnormalities associated with schizophrenia in humans. Here, models are grouped into 3 categories-developmental, drug induced, and genetic-to reflect the heterogeneous risk factors associated with schizophrenia. Each of these models is associated with varied but overlapping pathophysiology, endophenotypes, behavioural abnormalities, and cognitive impairments. Studying schizophrenia using multiple models will permit an understanding of the core features of the disease, thereby facilitating preclinical research aimed at the development and validation of better pharmacotherapies to alter the progression of schizophrenia or alleviate its debilitating symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Winship
- 1 Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - Serdar M Dursun
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.,3 National Institute of Science and Technology-Translational Science, Brazil
| | - Glen B Baker
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.,3 National Institute of Science and Technology-Translational Science, Brazil
| | - Priscila A Balista
- 4 Department of Pharmacy, Centro Universitario das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ludmyla Kandratavicius
- 5 Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Joao Paulo Maia-de-Oliveira
- 3 National Institute of Science and Technology-Translational Science, Brazil.,6 Department of Clinical Medicine, Rio Grande do Norte Federal University, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jaime Hallak
- 3 National Institute of Science and Technology-Translational Science, Brazil.,5 Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.,7 Department of Psychiatry (NRU), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - John G Howland
- 8 Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
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26
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Bergdolt L, Dunaevsky A. Brain changes in a maternal immune activation model of neurodevelopmental brain disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 175:1-19. [PMID: 30590095 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The developing brain is sensitive to a variety of insults. Epidemiological studies have identified prenatal exposure to infection as a risk factor for a range of neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Animal models corroborate this association and have been used to probe the contribution of gene-environment interactions to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we review the behavior and brain phenotypes that have been characterized in MIA offspring, including the studies that have looked at the interaction between maternal immune activation and genetic risk factors for autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. These phenotypes include behaviors relevant to autism, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders, alterations in brain anatomy, and structural and functional neuronal impairments. The link between maternal infection and these phenotypic changes is not fully understood, but there is increasing evidence that maternal immune activation induces prolonged immune alterations in the offspring's brain which could underlie epigenetic alterations which in turn may mediate the behavior and brain changes. These concepts will be discussed followed by a summary of the pharmacological interventions that have been tested in the maternal immune activation model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Bergdolt
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Neurological Sciences, 985960 Nebraska Medical Center, 68105, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Anna Dunaevsky
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Neurological Sciences, 985960 Nebraska Medical Center, 68105, Omaha, NE, United States.
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27
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De Felice M, Melis M, Aroni S, Muntoni AL, Fanni S, Frau R, Devoto P, Pistis M. The PPARα agonist fenofibrate attenuates disruption of dopamine function in a maternal immune activation rat model of schizophrenia. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:549-561. [PMID: 30461214 PMCID: PMC6488881 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Prenatal maternal immune activation (MIA) is associated with a risk to develop schizophrenia and affects dopamine systems in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), key region in the neurobiology of psychoses. Considering the well‐described sex differences in schizophrenia, we investigated whether sex affects MIA impact on dopamine system and on schizophrenia‐related behavioral phenotype. Furthermore, considering peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPARα) expression in the CNS as well as its anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, we tested if PPARα activation by prenatal treatment with a clinically available fibrate (fenofibrate) may mitigate MIA‐related effects. Methods We induced MIA in rat dams with polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) and assessed prepulse inhibition and dopamine neuron activity in the VTA by means of electrophysiological recordings in male and female preweaned and adult offspring. Results Poly I:C‐treated males displayed prepulse inhibition deficits, reduced number and firing rate of VTA dopamine neurons, and paired‐pulse facilitation of inhibitory and excitatory synapses. Prenatal fenofibrate administration attenuated detrimental effects induced by MIA on both the schizophrenia‐like behavioral phenotype and dopamine transmission in male offspring. Conclusion Our study confirms previous evidence that females are less susceptible to MIA and highlights PPARα as a potential target for treatments in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta De Felice
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
| | - Silvia Fanni
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Roberto Frau
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.,Section of Cagliari, Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Monserrato, Italy
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28
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Paylor JW, Wendlandt E, Freeman TS, Greba Q, Marks WN, Howland JG, Winship IR. Impaired Cognitive Function after Perineuronal Net Degradation in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. eNeuro 2018; 5:ENEURO.0253-18.2018. [PMID: 30627657 PMCID: PMC6325561 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0253-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are highly organized components of the extracellular matrix that surround a subset of mature neurons in the CNS. These structures play a critical role in regulating neuronal plasticity, particularly during neurodevelopment. Consistent with this role, their presence is associated with functional and structural stability of the neurons they ensheath. A loss of PNNs in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been suggested to contribute to cognitive impairment in disorders such as schizophrenia. However, the direct consequences of PNN loss in medial PFC (mPFC) on cognition has not been demonstrated. Here, we examined behavior after disruption of PNNs in mPFC of Long-Evans rats following injection of the enzyme chondroitinase ABC (ChABC). Our data show that ChABC-treated animals were impaired on tests of object oddity perception. Performance in the cross-modal object recognition (CMOR) task was not significantly different for ChABC-treated rats, although ChABC-treated rats were not able to perform above chance levels whereas control rats were. ChABC-treated animals were not significantly different from controls on tests of prepulse inhibition (PPI), set-shifting (SS), reversal learning, or tactile and visual object recognition memory. Posthumous immunohistochemistry confirmed significantly reduced PNNs in mPFC due to ChABC treatment. Moreover, PNN density in the mPFC predicted performance on the oddity task, where higher PNN density was associated with better performance. These findings suggest that PNN loss within the mPFC impairs some aspects of object oddity perception and recognition and that PNNs contribute to cognitive function in young adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Paylor
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2R3 Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1 Canada
| | - Eszter Wendlandt
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2R3 Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1 Canada
| | - Tara S. Freeman
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2R3 Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1 Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E Canada
| | - Wendie N. Marks
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E Canada
| | - John G. Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E Canada
| | - Ian R. Winship
- Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2R3 Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1 Canada
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29
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Wang X, Qiao Y, Dai Z, Sui N, Shen F, Zhang J, Liang J. Medium spiny neurons of the anterior dorsomedial striatum mediate reversal learning in a cell-type-dependent manner. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 224:419-434. [PMID: 30367246 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1780-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The striatum has been implicated in the regulation of cognitive flexibility. Abnormalities in the anterior dorsomedial striatum (aDMS) are revealed in many mental disorders in which cognitive inflexibility is commonly observed. However, it remains poorly understood whether the aDMS plays a special role in flexible cognitive control and what the regulation pattern is in different neuronal populations. Based on the reversal learning task in mice, we showed that optogenetic activation in dopamine receptor 1-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs) of the aDMS impaired flexibility; meanwhile, suppressing these neurons facilitated behavioral performance. Conversely, D2R-MSN activation accelerated reversal learning, but it induced no change through neuronal suppression. The acquisition and retention of discrimination learning were unaffected by the manipulation of any type of MSN. Through bi-direct optogenetic modulation in D1R-MSNs of the same subject in a serial reversal learning task, we further revealed the function of D1R-MSNs during different stages of reversal learning, where inhibiting and exciting the same group of neurons reduced perseverative errors and increased regressive errors. Following D1R- and D2R-MSN activation in the aDMS, neuronal activity of the mediodorsal thalamus decreased and increased, respectively, in parallel with behavioral impairment and facilitation, but not as a direct result of the activation of the striatal MSNs. We propose that D1R- and D2R-MSN sub-populations in the aDMS exert opposing functions in cognitive flexibility regulation, with more important and complex roles of D1R-MSNs involved. Mental disorders with cognitive flexibility problems may feature an underlying functional imbalance in the aDMS' two types of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyue Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhua Qiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhonghua Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Sui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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30
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Prospective Analysis of the Effects of Maternal Immune Activation on Rat Cytokines during Pregnancy and Behavior of the Male Offspring Relevant to Schizophrenia. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0249-18. [PMID: 30225350 PMCID: PMC6140112 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0249-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza during pregnancy is associated with the development of psychopathology in the offspring. We sought to determine whether maternal cytokines produced following administration of viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) to pregnant rats were predictive of behavioral abnormalities in the adult offspring. Timed-pregnant Sprague Dawley rats received a single intravenous injection of 4-mg/kg polyI:C or saline on gestational day (GD)15. Blood was collected 3 h later for serum analysis of cytokine levels with ELISA. Male offspring were tested in a battery of behavioral tests during adulthood and behavior was correlated with maternal cytokine levels. Maternal serum levels of CXCL1 and interleukin (IL)-6, but not tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α or CXCL2, were elevated in polyI:C-treated dams. PolyI:C-treated dams experienced post-treatment weight loss and polyI:C pups were smaller than controls at postnatal day (PND)1. Various behavior alterations were seen in the polyI:C-treated offspring. Male polyI:C offspring had enhanced MK-801-induced locomotion, and reduced sociability. PolyI:C offspring failed to display crossmodal and visual memory, and oddity preference was also impaired. Set-shifting, assessed with a lever-based operant conditioning task, was facilitated while touchscreen-based reversal learning was impaired. Correlations were found between maternal serum concentrations of CXCL1, acute maternal temperature and body weight changes, neonatal pup mass, and odd object discrimination and social behavior. Overall, while the offspring of polyI:C-treated rats displayed behavior abnormalities, maternal serum cytokines were not related to the long-term behavior changes in the offspring. Maternal sickness effects and neonatal pup size may be better indicators of later effects of maternal inflammation in the offspring.
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31
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Simulated viral infection in early-life alters brain morphology, activity and behavior in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Physiol Behav 2018; 196:36-46. [PMID: 30134141 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Early-life immune challenges (ELIC) have long-term effects on adult behavior and brain development. ELIC studies on birds are still few, but they are epidemiologically crucial since birds are important hosts of many mosquito-borne viruses. In this study, we administered a viral infection mimicking agent, Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), to nestling zebra finches on post-hatch day 14. When birds became sexually mature, their general activity (i.e., hopping, feeding behavior) and mosquito defense behaviors (i.e., hops, head movements, pecks, wing movements, foot movements, and scratches) were measured. Following behavioral trials, brains of male birds were collected for anatomical and histochemical analyses. Poly I:C challenge had sex-dependent effects on general activity and mosquito defense behaviors. When compared to control females, Poly I:C challenged females hopped and fed less often in their general activities, but hopped more often in the presence of mosquitoes. Poly I:C challenged males did not differ from control males in any behaviors. Brain analysis revealed that the nucleus taeniae of the amygdala (TnA) of Poly I:C challenged males were smaller in volume yet had more neurons expressing immediate-early gene proteins compared with controls, suggesting a more active TnA. These results suggest that immune challenges early in the life could have long-term effects on behaviors and brains of zebra finches, which may influence disease spread and fitness of individual birds.
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Careaga M, Taylor SL, Chang C, Chiang A, Ku KM, Berman RF, Van de Water JA, Bauman MD. Variability in PolyIC induced immune response: Implications for preclinical maternal immune activation models. J Neuroimmunol 2018; 323:87-93. [PMID: 30196839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy may increase the risk of offspring neurodevelopmental disorders. The preclinical Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyIC) model has become one of the most widely used approaches in maternal immune activation (MIA) research. However, variability in molecular weight may impact the immune activating potential of PolyIC. Nulliparous rats injected with high molecular weight PolyIC exhibit pronounced cytokine response and sickness behavior that was not observed in rats injected low molecular weight PolyIC. Although an essential next step is to extend these studies to pregnant animals, the preliminary results suggest that PolyIC molecular weight is an important experimental design consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milo Careaga
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA; The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Sandra L Taylor
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Carolyn Chang
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Alex Chiang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA; The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Katherine M Ku
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA; The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Robert F Berman
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Judy A Van de Water
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, USA; Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Melissa D Bauman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA; The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, USA.
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Horska K, Ruda-Kucerova J, Drazanova E, Karpisek M, Demlova R, Kasparek T, Kotolova H. Aripiprazole-induced adverse metabolic alterations in polyI:C neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia in rats. Neuropharmacology 2018; 123:148-158. [PMID: 28595931 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia appears to be linked to higher incidence of metabolic syndrome even in the absence of antipsychotic treatment. Atypical antipsychotics substantially differ in their propensity to induce metabolic alterations. Aripiprazole is considered to represent an antipsychotic drug with low risk of metabolic syndrome development. The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic phenotype of neurodevelopmental polyI:C rat model and assess metabolic effects of chronic aripiprazole treatment with regard to complex neuroendocrine regulations of energy homeostasis. Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 8 mg/kg in 10 ml on gestational day 15 to female Wistar rats. For this study 20 polyI:C and 20 control adult male offspring were used, randomly divided into 2 groups per 10 animals for chronic aripiprazole treatment and vehicle. Aripiprazole (5 mg/kg, dissolved tablets, ABILIFY®) was administered once daily via oral gavage for a month. Altered lipid profile in polyI:C model was observed and a trend towards different dynamics of weight gain in polyI:C rats was noted in the absence of significant antipsychotic treatment effect. PolyI:C model was not associated with changes in other parameters i.e. adipokines, gastrointestinal hormones and cytokines levels. Aripiprazole did not influence body weight but it induced alterations in neurohumoral regulations. Leptin and GLP-1 serum levels were significantly reduced, while ghrelin level was elevated. Furthermore aripiprazole decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our data indicate dysregulation of adipokines and gastrointestinal hormones present after chronic treatment with aripiprazole which is considered metabolically neutral in the polyI:C model of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Horska
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Eva Drazanova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Scientific Instruments, ASCR, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Karpisek
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; R&D Department, Biovendor - Laboratorni Medicina, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Regina Demlova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Kasparek
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kotolova
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
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Solek CM, Farooqi N, Verly M, Lim TK, Ruthazer ES. Maternal immune activation in neurodevelopmental disorders. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:588-619. [PMID: 29226543 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Converging lines of evidence from basic science and clinical studies suggest a relationship between maternal immune activation (MIA) and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. The mechanisms through which MIA increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders have become a subject of intensive research. This review aims to describe how dysregulation of microglial function and immune mechanisms may link MIA and neurodevelopmental pathologies. We also summarize the current evidence in animal models of MIA. Developmental Dynamics 247:588-619, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M Solek
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nasr Farooqi
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Myriam Verly
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tony K Lim
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Edward S Ruthazer
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Drazanova E, Ruda-Kucerova J, Kratka L, Horska K, Demlova R, Starcuk Z, Kasparek T. Poly(I:C) model of schizophrenia in rats induces sex-dependent functional brain changes detected by MRI that are not reversed by aripiprazole treatment. Brain Res Bull 2017; 137:146-155. [PMID: 29155259 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE One of the hallmarks of schizophrenia is altered brain structure, potentially due to antipsychotic treatment, the disorder itself or both. It was proposed that functional changes may precede the structural ones. In order to understand and potentially prevent this unwanted process, brain function assessment should be validated as a diagnostic tool. METHODS We used Arterial Spin Labelling MRI technique for the evaluation of brain perfusion in several brain regions in a neurodevelopmental poly(I:C) model of schizophrenia (8mg/kg on a gestational day 15) in rats taking into account sex-dependent effects and chronic treatment with aripiprazole (30days), an atypical antipsychotic acting as a partial agonist on dopaminergic receptors. RESULTS We found the sex of the animal to have a highly significant effect in all regions of interest, with females showing lower blood perfusion than males. However, both males and females treated prenatally with poly(I:C) showed enlargement of the lateral ventricles. Furthermore, we detected increased perfusion in the circle of Willis, hippocampus, and sensorimotor cortex, which was not influenced by chronic atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole treatment in male poly(I:C) rats. CONCLUSION We hypothesize that perfusion alterations may be caused by the hyperdopaminergic activity in the poly(I:C) model, and the absence of aripiprazole effect on perfusion in brain regions related to schizophrenia may be due to its partial agonistic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Drazanova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Scientific Instruments, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ruda-Kucerova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Lucie Kratka
- Institute of Scientific Instruments, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Horska
- Department of Human Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Regina Demlova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zenon Starcuk
- Institute of Scientific Instruments, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Kasparek
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Circadian disruption affects initial learning but not cognitive flexibility in an automated set-shifting task in adult Long-Evans rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 179:226-234. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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37
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Functional inactivation of dorsal medial striatum alters behavioral flexibility and recognition process in mice. Physiol Behav 2017; 179:467-477. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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38
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Perinatal inflammation and adult psychopathology: From preclinical models to humans. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 77:104-114. [PMID: 28890420 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal environment plays a crucial role in brain development and determines its function through life. Epidemiological studies and clinical reports link perinatal exposure to infection and/or immune activation to various psychiatric disorders. In addition, accumulating evidence from animal models shows that perinatal inflammation can affect various behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, anxiety and depression. Remarkably, the effects on behavior and brain function do not always depend on the type of inflammatory stimulus or the perinatal age targeted, so diverse inflammatory events can have similar consequences on the brain. Moreover, other perinatal environmental factors that affect behavior (e.g. diet and stress) also elicit inflammatory responses. Understanding the interplay between perinatal environment and inflammation on brain development is required to identify the mechanisms through which perinatal inflammation affect brain function in the adult animal. Evidence for the role of the peripheral immune system and glia on perinatal programming of behavior is discussed in this review, along with recent evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms affecting gene expression in the brain.
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Monaikul S, Eubig P, Floresco S, Schantz S. Strategy set-shifting and response inhibition in adult rats exposed to an environmental polychlorinated biphenyl mixture during adolescence. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2017; 63:14-23. [PMID: 28822742 PMCID: PMC5716807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Converging evidence from studies with animal models and humans suggests that early developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) leads to deficits in cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. These processes are mediated to a large extent by the prefrontal cortex, thus we examined the effects of PCB exposure during adolescence-a period of robust prefrontal cortical development-on both processes. Specifically, we used operant set-shifting and differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) tasks to assess cognitive flexibility and response inhibition, respectively. One male and one female pup from each of 14 litters were assigned to each of three treatment groups: 0, 3 or 6mgPCB/kg/day. Rats were dosed orally from postnatal day (PND) 27-50 to capture the whole period of adolescence in rats. At approximately PND 90, they began testing in the set-shifting task which included an initial visual cue discrimination, an extra-dimensional shift to a position discrimination and a reversal of the position discrimination. There were no statistically significant group differences in errors to criterion on visual cue discrimination or on the shift from visual to position discrimination in either males or females. During the position reversal, the 6mg/kg PCB males made significantly fewer errors to reach criterion than control males. The 3mg/kg PCB males showed a trend in the same direction, but this did not reach statistical significance. Interestingly, error analysis revealed that PCB-exposed males made significantly fewer perseverative errors than controls in this phase. No group differences were observed in females. These results suggest a male-specific effect of adolescent PCB-exposure on the reversal phase of the set-shifting task. Following set-shifting, rats progressed to the DRL task in which they were required to withhold responding for a specified period of time (15s) in order to receive a reinforcer. There were no exposure-related group differences in total presses or efficiency ratio in males or in females. In summary, there were subtle sex-specific effects of adolescent PCB exposure on the reversal phase of a set-shifting task, but no effects of exposure on performance on a DRL15 task, suggesting an effect on cognitive flexibility but not response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supida Monaikul
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 405 N Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, United States.
| | - Paul Eubig
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 405 N Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, United States
| | - Stan Floresco
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Susan Schantz
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 405 N Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, United States
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40
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Levit A, Regis AM, Garabon JR, Oh SH, Desai SJ, Rajakumar N, Hachinski V, Agca Y, Agca C, Whitehead SN, Allman BL. Behavioural inflexibility in a comorbid rat model of striatal ischemic injury and mutant hAPP overexpression. Behav Brain Res 2017; 333:267-275. [PMID: 28693862 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) and stroke coexist and interact; yet how they interact is not sufficiently understood. Both AD and basal ganglia stroke can impair behavioural flexibility, which can be reliably modeled in rats using an established operant based set-shifting test. Transgenic Fischer 344-APP21 rats (TgF344) overexpress pathogenic human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) but do not spontaneously develop overt pathology, hence TgF344 rats can be used to model the effect of vascular injury in the prodromal stages of Alzheimer disease. We demonstrate that the injection of endothelin-1 (ET1) into the dorsal striatum of TgF344 rats (Tg-ET1) produced an exacerbation of behavioural inflexibility with a behavioural phenotype that was distinct from saline-injected wildtype & TgF344 rats as well as ET1-injected wildtype rats (Wt-ET1). In addition to profiling the types of errors made, interpolative modeling using logistic exposure-response regression provided an informative analysis of the timing and efficiency of behavioural flexibility. During set-shifting, Tg-ET1 committed fewer perseverative errors than Wt-ET1. However, Tg-ET1 committed significantly more regressive errors and had a less efficient strategy change than all other groups. Thus, behavioural flexibility was more vulnerable to striatal ischemic injury in TgF344 rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Levit
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada
| | - Aaron M Regis
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada
| | - Jessica R Garabon
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada
| | - Seung-Hun Oh
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada
| | - Sagar J Desai
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada
| | - Nagalingam Rajakumar
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada
| | - Vladimir Hachinski
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University Hospital, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Yuksel Agca
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Cansu Agca
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Shawn N Whitehead
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University Hospital, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Brian L Allman
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London ON, Canada.
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Meehan C, Harms L, Frost JD, Barreto R, Todd J, Schall U, Shannon Weickert C, Zavitsanou K, Michie PT, Hodgson DM. Effects of immune activation during early or late gestation on schizophrenia-related behaviour in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:8-20. [PMID: 27423491 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.07.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal exposure to infectious agents during gestation has been identified as a significant risk factor for schizophrenia. Using a mouse model, past work has demonstrated that the gestational timing of the immune-activating event can impact the behavioural phenotype and expression of dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission markers in the offspring. In order to determine the inter-species generality of this effect to rats, another commonly used model species, the current study investigated the impact of a viral mimetic Poly (I:C) at either an early (gestational day 10) or late (gestational day 19) time-point on schizophrenia-related behaviour and neurotransmitter receptor expression in rat offspring. Exposure to Poly (I:C) in late, but not early, gestation resulted in transient impairments in working memory. In addition, male rats exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA) in either early or late gestation exhibited sensorimotor gating deficits. Conversely, neither early nor late MIA exposure altered locomotor responses to MK-801 or amphetamine. In addition, increased dopamine 1 receptor mRNA levels were found in the nucleus accumbens of male rats exposed to early gestational MIA. The findings from this study diverge somewhat from previous findings in mice with MIA exposure, which were often found to exhibit a more comprehensive spectrum of schizophrenia-like phenotypes in both males and females, indicating potential differences in the neurodevelopmental vulnerability to MIA exposure in the rat with regards to schizophrenia related changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Meehan
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauren Harms
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Jade D Frost
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Rafael Barreto
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Juanita Todd
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Ulrich Schall
- Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
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Straley ME, Van Oeffelen W, Theze S, Sullivan AM, O'Mahony SM, Cryan JF, O'Keeffe GW. Distinct alterations in motor & reward seeking behavior are dependent on the gestational age of exposure to LPS-induced maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:21-34. [PMID: 27266391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The dopaminergic system is involved in motivation, reward and the associated motor activities. Mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) regulate motivation and reward, whereas those in the substantia nigra (SN) are essential for motor control. Defective VTA dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in schizophrenia, drug addiction and depression whereas dopaminergic neurons in the SN are lost in Parkinson's disease. Maternal immune activation (MIA) leading to in utero inflammation has been proposed to be a risk factor for these disorders, yet it is unclear how this stimulus can lead to the diverse disturbances in dopaminergic-driven behaviors that emerge at different stages of life in affected offspring. Here we report that gestational age is a critical determinant of the subsequent alterations in dopaminergic-driven behavior in rat offspring exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MIA. Behavioral analysis revealed that MIA on gestational day 16 but not gestational day 12 resulted in biphasic impairments in motor behavior. Specifically, motor impairments were evident in early life, which were resolved by adolescence, but subsequently re-emerged in adulthood. In contrast, reward seeking behaviors were altered in offspring exposed MIA on gestational day 12. These changes were not due to a loss of dopaminergic neurons per se in the postnatal period, suggesting that they reflect functional changes in dopaminergic systems. This highlights that gestational age may be a key determinant of how MIA leads to distinct alterations in dopaminergic-driven behavior across the lifespan of affected offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Straley
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Wesley Van Oeffelen
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sarah Theze
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aideen M Sullivan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Siobhain M O'Mahony
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
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43
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Gallant S, Welch L, Martone P, Shalev U. Effects of chronic prenatal MK-801 treatment on object recognition, cognitive flexibility, and drug-induced locomotor activity in juvenile and adult rat offspring. Behav Brain Res 2017; 328:62-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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44
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Murray BG, Davies DA, Molder JJ, Howland JG. Maternal immune activation during pregnancy in rats impairs working memory capacity of the offspring. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 141:150-156. [PMID: 28434949 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation during pregnancy is an environmental risk factor for psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia in the offspring. Patients with schizophrenia display an array of cognitive symptoms, including impaired working memory capacity. Rodent models have been developed to understand the relationship between maternal immune activation and the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. The present experiment was designed to test whether maternal immune activation with the viral mimetic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) during pregnancy affects working memory capacity of the offspring. Pregnant Long Evans rats were treated with either saline or polyI:C (4mg/kg; i.v.) on gestational day 15. Male offspring of the litters (2-3months of age) were subsequently trained on a nonmatching-to-sample task with odors. After a criterion was met, the rats were tested on the odor span task, which requires rats to remember an increasing span of different odors to receive food reward. Rats were tested using delays of approximately 40s during the acquisition of the task. Importantly, polyI:C- and saline-treated offspring did not differ in performance of the nonmatching-to-sample task suggesting that both groups could perform a relatively simple working memory task. In contrast, polyI:C-treated offspring had reduced span capacity in the middle and late phases of odor span task acquisition. After task acquisition, the rats were tested using the 40s delay and a 10min delay. Both groups showed a delay-dependent decrease in span, although the polyI:C-treated offspring had significantly lower spans regardless of delay. Our results support the validity of the maternal immune activation model for studying the cognitive symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan G Murray
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Don A Davies
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Joel J Molder
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada.
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45
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Ronovsky M, Berger S, Molz B, Berger A, Pollak DD. Animal Models of Maternal Immune Activation in Depression Research. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 14:688-704. [PMID: 26666733 PMCID: PMC5050397 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666151215095359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract: Background Depression and schizophrenia are debilitating mental illnesses with significant socio-economic impact. The high degree of comorbidity between the two disorders, and shared symptoms and risk factors, suggest partly common pathogenic mechanisms. Supported by human and animal studies, maternal immune activation (MIA) has been intimately associated with the development of schizophrenia. However, the link between MIA and depression has remained less clear, in part due to the lack of appropriate animal models. Objective Here we aim to summarize findings obtained from studies using MIA animal models and discuss their relevance for preclinical depression research. Methods Results on molecular, cellular and behavioral phenotypes in MIA animal models were collected by literature search (PubMed) and evaluated for their significance for depression. Results Several reports on offspring depression-related behavioral alterations indicate an involvement of MIA in the development of depression later in life. Depression-related behavioral phenotypes were frequently paralleled by neurogenic and neurotrophic deficits and modulated by several genetic and environmental factors. Conclusion Literature evidence analyzed in this review supports a relevance of MIA as animal model for a specific early life adversity, which may prime an individual for the development of distinct psychopathologies later life. MIA animal models may present a unique tool for the identification of additional exogenous and endogenous factors, which are required for the manifestation of a specific neuropsychiatric disorder, such as depression, later in life. Hereby, novel insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of depression may be obtained, supporting the identification of alternative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daniela D Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Paylor JW, Lins BR, Greba Q, Moen N, de Moraes RS, Howland JG, Winship IR. Developmental disruption of perineuronal nets in the medial prefrontal cortex after maternal immune activation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37580. [PMID: 27876866 PMCID: PMC5120325 DOI: 10.1038/srep37580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy increases the risk of offspring developing schizophrenia later in life. Similarly, animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA) induce behavioural and anatomical disturbances consistent with a schizophrenia-like phenotype in offspring. Notably, cognitive impairments in tasks dependent on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are observed in humans with schizophrenia and in offspring after MIA during pregnancy. Recent studies of post-mortem tissue from individuals with schizophrenia revealed deficits in extracellular matrix structures called perineuronal nets (PNNs), particularly in PFC. Given these findings, we examined PNNs over the course of development in a well-characterized rat model of MIA using polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C). We found selective reductions of PNNs in the PFC of polyI:C offspring which did not manifest until early adulthood. These deficits were not associated with changes in parvalbumin cell density, but a decrease in the percentage of parvalbumin cells surrounded by a PNN. Developmental expression of PNNs was also significantly altered in the amygdala of polyI:C offspring. Our results indicate MIA causes region specific developmental abnormalities in PNNs in the PFC of offspring. These findings confirm the polyI:C model replicates neuropathological alterations associated with schizophrenia and may identify novel mechanisms for cognitive and emotional dysfunction in the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Paylor
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1, AB, Canada.,Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2B7, AB, Canada
| | - Brittney R Lins
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, SK, Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, SK, Canada
| | - Nicholas Moen
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1, AB, Canada
| | | | - John G Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, SK, Canada
| | - Ian R Winship
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1, AB, Canada.,Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2B7, AB, Canada
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Postnatal behavioral and inflammatory alterations in female pups prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 72:11-21. [PMID: 27337090 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a bias to a higher incidence in boys than in girls has been reported. With the aim to identify biological mechanisms acting in female animals that could underlie this bias, we used an extensively validated mouse model of ASD: the prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). We found postnatal behavioral alterations in female VPA pups: a longer latency in righting reflex at postnatal day (P) 3, and a delay in the acquisition of the acoustic startle response. We also analyzed the density of glial cells in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, in VPA and control animals. Female VPA pups showed alterations in the density of astrocytes and microglial cells between P21 and P42, with specific dynamics in each brain region. We also found a decrease in histone 3 acetylation in the cerebellum of female VPA pups at P14, suggesting that the changes in glial cell density could be due to alterations in the epigenetic developmental program. Finally, no differences in maternal behavior were found. Our results show that female VPA pups exhibit behavioral and inflammatory alterations postnatally, although they have been reported to have normal levels of sociability in adulthood. With our work, we contribute to the understanding of biological mechanisms underlying different effects of VPA on male and female rodents, and we hope to help elucidate whether there are factors increasing susceptibility to ASD in boys and/or resilience in girls.
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A systematic review comparing sex differences in cognitive function in schizophrenia and in rodent models for schizophrenia, implications for improved therapeutic strategies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 68:979-1000. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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49
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Effects of stress on behavioral flexibility in rodents. Neuroscience 2016; 345:176-192. [PMID: 27066767 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between different rules or concepts and behavioral flexibility is the overt physical manifestation of these shifts. Behavioral flexibility is essential for adaptive responses and commonly measured by reversal learning and set-shifting performance in rodents. Both tasks have demonstrated vulnerability to stress with effects dependent upon stressor type and number of repetitions. This review compares the effects of stress on reversal learning and set-shifting to provide insight into the differential effect of stress on cognition. Acute and short-term repetition of stress appears to facilitate reversal learning whereas the longer term repetition of stress impairs reversal learning. Stress facilitated intradimensional set-shifting within a single, short-term stress protocol but otherwise generally impaired set-shifting performance in acute and repeated stress paradigms. Chronic unpredictable stress impairs reversal learning and set-shifting whereas repeated cold intermittent stress selectively impairs reversal learning and has no effect on set-shifting. In considering the mechanisms underlying the effects of stress on behavioral flexibility, pharmacological manipulations performed in conjunction with stress are also reviewed. Blocking corticosterone receptors does not affect the facilitation of reversal learning following acute stress but the prevention of corticosterone synthesis rescues repeated stress-induced set-shifting impairment. Enhancing post-synaptic norepinephrine function, serotonin availability, and dopamine receptor activation rescues and/or prevents behavioral flexibility performance following stress. While this review highlights a lack of a standardization of stress paradigms, some consistent effects are apparent. Future studies are necessary to specify the mechanisms underlying the stress-induced impairments of behavioral flexibility, which will aid in alleviating these symptoms in patients with some psychiatric disorders.
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50
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de Souza DF, Wartchow KM, Lunardi PS, Brolese G, Tortorelli LS, Batassini C, Biasibetti R, Gonçalves CA. Changes in Astroglial Markers in a Maternal Immune Activation Model of Schizophrenia in Wistar Rats are Dependent on Sex. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:489. [PMID: 26733814 PMCID: PMC4689875 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Data from epidemiological studies suggest that prenatal exposure to bacterial and viral infection is an important environmental risk factor for schizophrenia. The maternal immune activation (MIA) animal model is used to study how an insult directed at the maternal host can have adverse effects on the fetus, leading to behavioral and neurochemical changes later in life. We evaluated whether the administration of LPS to rat dams during late pregnancy affects astroglial markers (S100B and GFAP) of the offspring in later life. The frontal cortex and hippocampus were compared in male and female offspring on postnatal days (PND) 30 and 60. The S100B protein exhibited an age-dependent pattern of expression, being increased in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the MIA group at PND 60, while at PND 30, male rats presented increased S100B levels only in the frontal cortex. Considering that S100B secretion is reduced by elevation of glutamate levels, we may hypothesize that this early increment in frontal cortex tissue of males is associated with elevated extracellular levels of glutamate and glutamatergic hypofunction, an alteration commonly associated with SCZ pathology. Moreover, we also found augmented GFAP in the frontal cortex of the LPS group at PND 30, but not in the hippocampus. Taken together data indicate that astroglial changes induced by MIA are dependent on sex and brain region and that these changes could reflect astroglial dysfunction. Such alterations may contribute to our understanding of the abnormal neuronal connectivity and developmental aspects of SCZ and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela F de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Krista M Wartchow
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paula S Lunardi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Giovana Brolese
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucas S Tortorelli
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Batassini
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Regina Biasibetti
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carlos-Alberto Gonçalves
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil
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