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Binder MS, Escobar I, Xu Y, Sokolov AM, Zhang L, Bordey A. Reducing Filamin A Restores Cortical Synaptic Connectivity and Early Social Communication Following Cellular Mosaicism in Autism Spectrum Disorder Pathways. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1245232024. [PMID: 39164108 PMCID: PMC11426378 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1245-23.2024] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Communication in the form of nonverbal, social vocalization, or crying is evolutionary conserved in mammals and is impaired early in human infants that are later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Defects in infant vocalization have been proposed as an early sign of ASD that may exacerbate ASD development. However, the neural mechanisms associated with early communicative deficits in ASD are not known. Here, we expressed a constitutively active mutant of Rheb (RhebS16H), which is known to upregulate two ASD core pathways, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and ERK1/2, in Layer (L) 2/3 pyramidal neurons of the neocortex of mice of either sex. We found that cellular mosaic expression of RhebS16H in L2/3 pyramidal neurons altered the production of isolation calls from neonatal mice. This was accompanied by an expected misplacement of neurons and dendrite overgrowth, along with an unexpected increase in spine density and length, which was associated with increased excitatory synaptic activity. This contrasted with the known decrease in spine density in RhebS16H neurons of 1-month-old mice. Reducing the levels of the actin cross-linking and adaptor protein filamin A (FLNA), known to be increased downstream of ERK1/2, attenuated dendrite overgrowth and fully restored spine properties, synaptic connectivity, and the production of pup isolation calls. These findings suggest that upper-layer cortical pyramidal neurons contribute to communicative deficits in a condition known to affect two core ASD pathways and that these mechanisms are regulated by FLNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Binder
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Iris Escobar
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Youfen Xu
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Aidan M Sokolov
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Longbo Zhang
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
| | - Angélique Bordey
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8082
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Morin-Parent F, Champigny C, Côté S, Mohamad T, Hasani SA, Çaku A, Corbin F, Lepage JF. Neurophysiological effects of a combined treatment of lovastatin and minocycline in patients with fragile X syndrome: Ancillary results of the LOVAMIX randomized clinical trial. Autism Res 2024. [PMID: 39248107 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3222] [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: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the primary hereditary cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. It is characterized by exacerbated neuronal excitability, and its correction is considered an objective measure of treatment response in animal models, a marker albeit rarely used in clinical trials. Here, we used an extensive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) battery to assess the neurophysiological effects of a therapy combining two disease-modifying drugs, lovastatin (40 mg) and minocycline (100 mg), administered alone for 8 weeks and in combination for 12 weeks, in 19 patients (mean age of 23.58 ± 1.51) with FXS taking part in the LOVAmix trial. The TMS battery, which included the resting motor threshold, short-interval intracortical inhibition, long-interval intracortical inhibition, corticospinal silent period, and intracortical facilitation, was completed at baseline after 8 weeks of monotherapy (visit 2 of the clinical trial) and after 12 weeks of dual therapy (visit 4 of the clinical trial). Repeated measure ANOVAs were performed between baseline and visit 2 (monotherapy) and visit 3 (dual therapy) with interactions for which monotherapy the participants received when they began the clinical trial. Results showed that dual therapy was associated with reduced cortical excitability after 20 weeks. This was reflected by a significant increase in the resting-motor threshold after dual therapy compared to baseline. There was a tendency for enhanced short-intracortical inhibition, a marker of GABAa-mediated inhibition after 8 weeks of monotherapy compared to baseline. Together, these results suggest that a combined therapy of minocycline and lovastatin might act on the core neurophysiopathology of FXS. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02680379).
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Morin-Parent
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Sherbrooke University Hospital Research Center, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Camille Champigny
- Sherbrooke University Hospital Research Center, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Samantha Côté
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Teddy Mohamad
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Sherbrooke University Hospital Research Center, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Seyede Anis Hasani
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Sherbrooke University Hospital Research Center, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Artuela Çaku
- Sherbrooke University Hospital Research Center, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - François Corbin
- Sherbrooke University Hospital Research Center, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Jean-François Lepage
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Sherbrooke University Hospital Research Center, Sherbrooke, Canada
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Ferraguto C, Piquemal-Lagoueillat M, Lemaire V, Moreau MM, Trazzi S, Uguagliati B, Ciani E, Bertrand SS, Louette E, Bontempi B, Pietropaolo S. Therapeutic efficacy of the BKCa channel opener chlorzoxazone in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01956-6. [PMID: 39223257 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01956-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by several behavioral abnormalities, including hyperactivity, anxiety, sensory hyper-responsiveness, and autistic-like symptoms such as social deficits. Despite considerable efforts, effective pharmacological treatments are still lacking, prompting the need for exploring the therapeutic value of existing drugs beyond their original approved use. One such repurposed drug is chlorzoxazone which is classified as a large-conductance calcium-dependent potassium (BKCa) channel opener. Reduced BKCa channel functionality has been reported in FXS patients, suggesting that molecules activating these channels could serve as promising treatments for this syndrome. Here, we sought to characterize the therapeutic potential of chlorzoxazone using the Fmr1-KO mouse model of FXS which recapitulates the main phenotypes of FXS, including BKCa channel alterations. Chlorzoxazone, administered either acutely or chronically, rescued hyperactivity and acoustic hyper-responsiveness as well as impaired social interactions exhibited by Fmr1-KO mice. Chlorzoxazone was more efficacious in alleviating these phenotypes than gaboxadol and metformin, two repurposed treatments for FXS that do not target BKCa channels. Systemic administration of chlorzoxazone modulated the neuronal activity-dependent gene c-fos in selected brain areas of Fmr1-KO mice, corrected aberrant hippocampal dendritic spines, and was able to rescue impaired BKCa currents recorded from hippocampal and cortical neurons of these mutants. Collectively, these findings provide further preclinical support for BKCa channels as a valuable therapeutic target for treating FXS and encourage the repurposing of chlorzoxazone for clinical applications in FXS and other related neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valerie Lemaire
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maïté M Moreau
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Stefania Trazzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Uguagliati
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ciani
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Bruno Bontempi
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France
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Sudhahar S, Ozer B, Chang J, Chadwick W, O'Donovan D, Campbell A, Tulip E, Thompson N, Roberts I. An experimentally validated approach to automated biological evidence generation in drug discovery using knowledge graphs. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5703. [PMID: 38977662 PMCID: PMC11231212 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50024-6] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Explaining predictions for drug repositioning with biological knowledge graphs is a challenging problem. Graph completion methods using symbolic reasoning predict drug treatments and associated rules to generate evidence representing the therapeutic basis of the drug. Yet the vast amounts of generated paths that are biologically irrelevant or not mechanistically meaningful within the context of disease biology can limit utility. We use a reinforcement learning based knowledge graph completion model combined with an automatic filtering approach that produces the most relevant rules and biological paths explaining the predicted drug's therapeutic connection to the disease. In this work we validate the approach against preclinical experimental data for Fragile X syndrome demonstrating strong correlation between automatically extracted paths and experimentally derived transcriptional changes of selected genes and pathways of drug predictions Sulindac and Ibudilast. Additionally, we show it reduces the number of generated paths in two case studies, 85% for Cystic fibrosis and 95% for Parkinson's disease.
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Stamenkovic V, Lautz JD, Harsh FM, Smith SEP. SRC family kinase inhibition rescues molecular and behavioral phenotypes, but not protein interaction network dynamics, in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1392-1405. [PMID: 38297084 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02418-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Glutamatergic synapses encode information from extracellular inputs using dynamic protein interaction networks (PINs) that undergo widespread reorganization following synaptic activity, allowing cells to distinguish between signaling inputs and generate coordinated cellular responses. Here, we investigate how Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP) deficiency disrupts signal transduction through a glutamatergic synapse PIN downstream of NMDA receptor or metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) stimulation. In cultured cortical neurons or acute cortical slices from P7, P17 and P60 FMR1-/y mice, the unstimulated protein interaction network state resembled that of wildtype littermates stimulated with mGluR agonists, demonstrating resting state pre-activation of mGluR signaling networks. In contrast, interactions downstream of NMDAR stimulation were similar to WT. We identified the Src family kinase (SFK) Fyn as a network hub, because many interactions involving Fyn were pre-activated in FMR1-/y animals. We tested whether targeting SFKs in FMR1-/y mice could modify disease phenotypes, and found that Saracatinib (SCB), an SFK inhibitor, normalized elevated basal protein synthesis, novel object recognition memory and social behavior in FMR1-/y mice. However, SCB treatment did not normalize the PIN to a wild-type-like state in vitro or in vivo, but rather induced extensive changes to protein complexes containing Shank3, NMDARs and Fyn. We conclude that targeting abnormal nodes of a PIN can identify potential disease-modifying drugs, but behavioral rescue does not correlate with PIN normalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Stamenkovic
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Lautz
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Felicia M Harsh
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephen E P Smith
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Lyu K, Li J, Chen M, Li W, Zhang W, Hu M, Zhang Y, Feng X. A bibliometric analysis of autism spectrum disorder signaling pathways research in the past decade. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1304916. [PMID: 38410675 PMCID: PMC10895046 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1304916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study employs bibliometric methods to comprehensively understand the fundamental structure of research about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Signaling Pathways by examining key indicators such as nations, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords. Methodology We utilized the WoScc database to retrieve literature relevant to ASD Signaling Pathways published between 2013 and 2023. Through visual analysis and tools like CiteSpace and VosViewer, we explored nations, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords, thereby constructing relevant networks. Results 26 The study encompasses 1,396 articles, revealing a consistent increase in publications. The United States, China, and Germany are leading nations in this literature. Regarding research institutions, the University of California system and Eric Klann have garnered significant attention due to their substantial contributions to the field of ASD Signaling Pathways. Most relevant research is published in the journal "Molecular Autism." Research interests are concentrated across various themes, including "elevating neuronal β-catenin levels," "Tunisian children," "Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice," "de novo mutations," "autistic children," "local translation," "propionic acid-induced mouse models," "neurosystems," "glucose metabolism," and "neuronal migration." Future research may emphasize exploring aspects such as gut microbiota, genes, stress, maternal immune activation, memory, and neurodevelopmental disorders of ASD. Conclusion This study, through bibliometric analysis of key indicators such as nations, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on ASD Signaling Pathways. These investigations predominantly focus on molecular mechanisms, animal model studies, population-based research, and the structure and function of neurosystems. Future research directions are also clearly proposed. First, in-depth research on the genes and neurodevelopmental disorders associated with ASD will continue to reveal the genetic basis and provide support for precise treatments. At the same time, attention to the gut microbiota will help explore its association with ASD, which may provide clues for new treatments. In addition, the relationship between stress and ASD will become the focus of research to understand better the emotional and behavioral characteristics of ASD patients in stressful situations. Maternal immune activation will also be further studied to explore how environmental factors influence the risk and development of ASD. Finally, a deeper understanding of the cognitive functions of patients with ASD, especially memory and learning, will help develop individualized treatment strategies to improve patients' quality of life. These directions will work together and are expected to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Signaling Pathways research in ASD and provide new ideas and opportunities for future intervention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifeng Lyu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Jiangshan Li
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Min Chen
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Wu Li
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Pediatrics One, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Meichao Hu
- Rehabilitation Department, Chifeng Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospitalal, Chifeng, China
| | - Yuxing Zhang
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Feng
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Massage, and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
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Subramanian M, Mills WT, Paranjpe MD, Onuchukwu US, Inamdar M, Maytin AR, Li X, Pomerantz JL, Meffert MK. Growth-suppressor microRNAs mediate synaptic overgrowth and behavioral deficits in Fragile X mental retardation protein deficiency. iScience 2024; 27:108676. [PMID: 38235335 PMCID: PMC10792201 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108676] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal neuronal and synapse growth is a core pathology resulting from deficiency of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), but molecular links underlying the excessive synthesis of key synaptic proteins remain incompletely defined. We find that basal brain levels of the growth suppressor let-7 microRNA (miRNA) family are selectively lowered in FMRP-deficient mice and activity-dependent let-7 downregulation is abrogated. Primary let-7 miRNA transcripts are not altered in FMRP-deficiency and posttranscriptional misregulation occurs downstream of MAPK pathway induction and elevation of Lin28a, a let-7 biogenesis inhibitor. Neonatal restoration of brain let-7 miRNAs corrects hallmarks of FMRP-deficiency, including dendritic spine overgrowth and social and cognitive behavioral deficits, in adult mice. Blockade of MAPK hyperactivation normalizes let-7 miRNA levels in both brain and peripheral blood plasma from Fmr1 KO mice. These results implicate dysregulated let-7 miRNA biogenesis in the pathogenesis of FMRP-deficiency, and highlight let-7 miRNA-based strategies for future biomarker and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Subramanian
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - William T. Mills
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Manish D. Paranjpe
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Uche S. Onuchukwu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Manasi Inamdar
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Amanda R. Maytin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Xinbei Li
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joel L. Pomerantz
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Mollie K. Meffert
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Milla LA, Corral L, Rivera J, Zuñiga N, Pino G, Nunez-Parra A, Cea-Del Rio CA. Neurodevelopment and early pharmacological interventions in Fragile X Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1213410. [PMID: 37599992 PMCID: PMC10433175 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1213410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and the leading monogenic cause of autism and intellectual disability. For years, several efforts have been made to develop an effective therapeutic approach to phenotypically rescue patients from the disorder, with some even advancing to late phases of clinical trials. Unfortunately, none of these attempts have completely succeeded, bringing urgency to further expand and refocus research on FXS therapeutics. FXS arises at early stages of postnatal development due to the mutation and transcriptional silencing of the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 gene (FMR1) and consequent loss of the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP) expression. Importantly, FMRP expression is critical for the normal adult nervous system function, particularly during specific windows of embryogenic and early postnatal development. Cellular proliferation, migration, morphology, axonal guidance, synapse formation, and in general, neuronal network establishment and maturation are abnormally regulated in FXS, underlying the cognitive and behavioral phenotypes of the disorder. In this review, we highlight the relevance of therapeutically intervening during critical time points of development, such as early postnatal periods in infants and young children and discuss past and current clinical trials in FXS and their potential to specifically target those periods. We also discuss potential benefits, limitations, and disadvantages of these pharmacological tools based on preclinical and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A. Milla
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lucia Corral
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiopatologia, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jhanpool Rivera
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiopatologia, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nolberto Zuñiga
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiopatologia, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela Pino
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiopatologia, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexia Nunez-Parra
- Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Cell Physiology Center, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian A. Cea-Del Rio
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiopatologia, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Life B, Bettio LE, Gantois I, Christie BR, Leavitt BR. Progranulin is an FMRP target that influences macroorchidism but not behaviour in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100094. [PMID: 37416094 PMCID: PMC10319828 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has implicated progranulin in neurodevelopment and indicated that aberrant progranulin expression may be involved in neurodevelopmental disease. Specifically, increased progranulin expression in the prefrontal cortex has been suggested to be pathologically relevant in male Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1 KO) mice, a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Further investigation into the role of progranulin in FXS is warranted to determine if therapies that reduce progranulin expression represent a viable strategy for treating patients with FXS. Several key knowledge gaps remain. The mechanism of increased progranulin expression in Fmr1 KO mice is poorly understood and the extent of progranulin's involvement in FXS-like phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice has been incompletely explored. To this end, we have performed a thorough characterization of progranulin expression in Fmr1 KO mice. We find that the phenomenon of increased progranulin expression is post-translational and tissue-specific. We also demonstrate for the first time an association between progranulin mRNA and FMRP, suggesting that progranulin mRNA is an FMRP target. Subsequently, we show that progranulin over-expression in Fmr1 wild-type mice causes reduced repetitive behaviour engagement in females and mild hyperactivity in males but is largely insufficient to recapitulate FXS-associated behavioural, morphological, and electrophysiological abnormalities. Lastly, we determine that genetic reduction of progranulin expression on an Fmr1 KO background reduces macroorchidism but does not alter other FXS-associated behaviours or biochemical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Life
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 0B3, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Luis E.B. Bettio
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Ilse Gantois
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2T5, Quebec, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2T5, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brian R. Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
- Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Blair R. Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 0B3, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
- Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Murari K, Abushaibah A, Rho JM, Turner RW, Cheng N. A clinically relevant selective ERK-pathway inhibitor reverses core deficits in a mouse model of autism. EBioMedicine 2023; 91:104565. [PMID: 37088035 PMCID: PMC10149189 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathway in the brain is hypothesized to be a critical convergent node in the development of autism spectrum disorder. We reasoned that selectively targeting this pathway could reverse core autism-like phenotype in animal models. METHODS Here we tested a clinically relevant, selective inhibitor of ERK pathway, PD325901 (Mirdametinib), in a mouse model of idiopathic autism, the BTBR mice. FINDINGS We report that treating juvenile mice with PD325901 reduced ERK pathway activation, dose and duration-dependently reduced core disease-modeling deficits in sociability, vocalization and repetitive behavior, and reversed abnormal EEG signals. Further analysis revealed that subchronic treatment did not affect weight gain, locomotion, or neuronal density in the brain. Parallel treatment in the C57BL/6J mice did not alter their phenotype. INTERPRETATION Our data indicate that selectively inhibiting ERK pathway using PD325901 is beneficial in the BTBR model, thus further support the notion that ERK pathway is critically involved in the pathophysiology of autism. These results suggest that a similar approach could be applied to animal models of syndromic autism with dysregulated ERK signaling, to further test selectively targeting ERK pathway as a new approach for treating autism. FUNDING This has beenwork was supported by Alberta Children's Hospital Research Foundation (JMR & NC), University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (NC), Kids Brain Health Network (NC), and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartikeya Murari
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Abdulrahman Abushaibah
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Jong M Rho
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Ray W Turner
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Ning Cheng
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada.
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11
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Abstract
The fragile X-related disorders are an important group of hereditary disorders that are caused by expanded CGG repeats in the 5' untranslated region of the FMR1 gene or by mutations in the coding sequence of this gene. Two categories of pathological CGG repeats are associated with these disorders, full mutation alleles and shorter premutation alleles. Individuals with full mutation alleles develop fragile X syndrome, which causes autism and intellectual disability, whereas those with premutation alleles, which have shorter CGG expansions, can develop fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Thus, fragile X-related disorders can manifest as neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders, depending on the size of the repeat expansion. Here, we review mouse models of fragile X-related disorders and discuss how they have informed our understanding of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. We also assess the translational value of these models for developing rational targeted therapies for intellectual disability and autism disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
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12
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Lymphocytic Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 62:582-592.e2. [PMID: 36638885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2022.09.437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) is a conserved central intracellular signaling cascade involved in many aspects of neuronal development and plasticity. Converging evidence support investigation of ERK1/2 activity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We previously reported enhanced baseline lymphocytic ERK1/2 activation in autism, and now we extend our work to investigate the early phase kinetics of lymphocytic ERK1/2 activation in idiopathic ASD. METHOD Study participants included 67 individuals with ASD (3-25 years of age), 65 age- and sex-matched typical developing control (TDC) subjects, and 36 age-, sex-, and IQ-matched developmental disability control (DDC) subjects matched to those with ASD and IQ <90. We completed an additional analysis comparing results from ASD, TDC, and DDC groups with data from 37 individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS). All subjects had blood lymphocyte samples analyzed by flow cytometry following stimulation with phorbol ester and sequentially analyzed for ERK1/2 activation (phosphorylation) at several time points. RESULTS The ASD group (mean = 5.81 minutes; SD = 1.5) had a significantly lower (more rapid) mean ERK1/2 T1/2 activation value than both the DDC group (mean = 6.78 minutes; SD = 1.6; p = .00078) and the TDC group (mean = 6.4 minutes; SD = 1.5; p = .025). More rapid ERK1/2 T1/2 activation times did correlate with increased social impairment across all study groups including the ASD cohort. Differences in ERK1/2 T1/2 activation were more pronounced in younger than in older individuals in the primary analysis. The ASD group additionally had more rapid activation times than the FXS group, and the FXS group activation kinetics did not differ from those of the TDC and DDC groups. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that lymphocytic ERK1/2 activation kinetics are dysregulated in persons with ASD, marked by more rapid early phase activation. Group differences in ERK1/2 activation kinetics appear to be driven by findings from the youngest children analyzed. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.
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13
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Leahy SN, Song C, Vita DJ, Broadie K. FMRP activity and control of Csw/SHP2 translation regulate MAPK-dependent synaptic transmission. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001969. [PMID: 36701299 PMCID: PMC9879533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Noonan syndrome (NS) and NS with multiple lentigines (NSML) cognitive dysfunction are linked to SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) gain-of-function (GoF) and loss-of-function (LoF), respectively. In Drosophila disease models, we find both SHP2 mutations from human patients and corkscrew (csw) homolog LoF/GoF elevate glutamatergic transmission. Cell-targeted RNAi and neurotransmitter release analyses reveal a presynaptic requirement. Consistently, all mutants exhibit reduced synaptic depression during high-frequency stimulation. Both LoF and GoF mutants also show impaired synaptic plasticity, including reduced facilitation, augmentation, and post-tetanic potentiation. NS/NSML diseases are characterized by elevated MAPK/ERK signaling, and drugs suppressing this signaling restore normal neurotransmission in mutants. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is likewise characterized by elevated MAPK/ERK signaling. Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) binds csw mRNA and neuronal Csw protein is elevated in Drosophila fragile X mental retardation 1 (dfmr1) nulls. Moreover, phosphorylated ERK (pERK) is increased in dfmr1 and csw null presynaptic boutons. We find presynaptic pERK activation in response to stimulation is reduced in dfmr1 and csw nulls. Trans-heterozygous csw/+; dfmr1/+ recapitulate elevated presynaptic pERK activation and function, showing FMRP and Csw/SHP2 act within the same signaling pathway. Thus, a FMRP and SHP2 MAPK/ERK regulative mechanism controls basal and activity-dependent neurotransmission strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon N. Leahy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Chunzhu Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Dominic J. Vita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Kendal Broadie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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14
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Schmitt LM, Li J, Liu R, Horn PS, Sweeney JA, Erickson CA, Pedapati EV. Altered frontal connectivity as a mechanism for executive function deficits in fragile X syndrome. Mol Autism 2022; 13:47. [PMID: 36494861 PMCID: PMC9733336 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00527-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Executive function (EF), necessary for adaptive goal-oriented behavior and dependent on frontal lobe function, is impaired in individuals with FXS. Yet, little is known how alterations in frontal lobe neural activity is related to EF deficits in FXS. METHODS Sixty-one participants with FXS (54% males) and 71 age- and sex-matched typically-developing controls (TDC; 58% males) completed a five-minute resting state electroencephalography (EEG) protocol and a computerized battery of tests of EF, the Test of Attentional Performance for Children (KiTAP). Following source localization (minimum-norm estimate), we computed debiased weighted phase lag index (dWPLI), a phase connectivity value, for pairings between 18 nodes in frontal regions for gamma (30-55 Hz) and alpha (10.5-12.5 Hz) bands. Linear models were generated with fixed factors of group, sex, frequency, and connection. Relationships between frontal connectivity and EF variables also were examined. RESULTS Individuals with FXS demonstrated increased gamma band and reduced alpha band connectivity across all frontal regions and across hemispheres compared to TDC. After controlling for nonverbal IQ, increased error rates on EF tasks were associated with increased gamma band and reduced alpha band connectivity. LIMITATIONS Frontal connectivity findings are limited to intrinsic brain activity during rest and may not generalize to frontal connectivity during EF tasks or everyday function. CONCLUSIONS We report gamma hyper-connectivity and alpha hypo-connectivity within source-localized frontal brain regions in FXS compared to TDC during resting-state EEG. For the first time in FXS, we report significant associations between EF and altered frontal connectivity, with increased error rate relating to increased gamma band connectivity and reduced alpha band connectivity. These findings suggest increased phase connectivity within gamma band may impair EF performance, whereas greater alpha band connectivity may provide compensatory support for EF. Together, these findings provide important insight into neurophysiological mechanisms of EF deficits in FXS and provide novel targets for treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Schmitt
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Joy Li
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Rui Liu
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Paul S. Horn
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - John A. Sweeney
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Craig A. Erickson
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Ernest V. Pedapati
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 4002, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
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15
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Chen J, Ding Q, An L, Wang H. Ca2+-stimulated adenylyl cyclases as therapeutic targets for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:949384. [PMID: 36188604 PMCID: PMC9523369 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.949384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As the main secondary messengers, cyclic AMP (cAMP) and Ca2+ trigger intracellular signal transduction cascade and, in turn, regulate many aspects of cellular function in developing and mature neurons. The group I adenylyl cyclase (ADCY, also known as AC) isoforms, including ADCY1, 3, and 8 (also known as AC1, AC3, and AC8), are stimulated by Ca2+ and thus functionally positioned to integrate cAMP and Ca2+ signaling. Emerging lines of evidence have suggested the association of the Ca2+-stimulated ADCYs with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and autism. In this review, we discuss the molecular and cellular features as well as the physiological functions of ADCY1, 3, and 8. We further discuss the recent therapeutic development to target the Ca2+-stimulated ADCYs for potential treatments of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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16
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ERK/MAPK signalling in the developing brain: Perturbations and consequences. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:792-805. [PMID: 34634357 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular regulated kinase/microtubule-associated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) signalling pathway transduces signals that cause an alteration in the ongoing metabolic pathways and modifies gene expression patterns; thus, influencing cellular behaviour. ERK/MAPK signalling is essential for the proper development of the nervous system from neural progenitor cells derived from the embryonic mesoderm. Several signalling molecules that regulate the well-coordinated process of neurodevelopment transduce developmental information through the ERK/MAPK signalling pathway. The ERK/MAPK is a potential novel therapeutic target in several neurodevelopmental disorders, however, despite years of study, there is still significant uncertainty about the exact mechanism by which the ERK/MAPK signalling pathway elicits specific responses in neurodevelopment. Here, we will review the evidence highlighting the role of ERK/MAPK signalling in neurodevelopment. We will also discuss the structural implication and behavioural deficits associated with perturbed ERK/MAPK signalling pathway in cortical development, whilst examining its contribution to the neuropathology of several neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, Fragile X, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
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17
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Dionne O, Corbin F. A new strategy to uncover fragile X proteomic biomarkers using the nascent proteome of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Sci Rep 2021; 11:15148. [PMID: 34312401 PMCID: PMC8313568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most prevalent inherited cause of intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. FXS result from the loss of expression of the FMRP protein, an RNA-binding protein that regulates the expression of key synaptic effectors. FXS is also characterized by a wide array of behavioural, cognitive and metabolic impairments. The severity and penetrance of those comorbidities are extremely variable, meaning that a considerable phenotypic heterogeneity is found among fragile X individuals. Unfortunately, clinicians currently have no tools at their disposal to assay a patient prognosis upon diagnosis. Since the absence of FMRP was repeatedly associated with an aberrant protein synthesis, we decided to study the nascent proteome in order to screen for potential proteomic biomarkers of FXS. We used a BONCAT (Biorthogonal Non-canonical Amino Acids Tagging) method coupled to label-free mass spectrometry to purify and quantify nascent proteins of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 7 fragile X male patients and 7 age-matched controls. The proteomic analysis identified several proteins which were either up or downregulated in PBMCs from FXS individuals. Eleven of those proteins were considered as potential biomarkers, of which 5 were further validated by Western blot. The gene ontology enrichment analysis highlighted molecular pathways that may contribute to FXS physiopathology. Our results suggest that the nascent proteome of PBMCs is well suited for the discovery of FXS biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Dionne
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke and Centre de Recherche du CHUS, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - François Corbin
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomic, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke and Centre de Recherche du CHUS, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
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18
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Boksha IS, Prokhorova TA, Tereshkina EB, Savushkina OK, Burbaeva GS. Protein Phosphorylation Signaling Cascades in Autism: The Role of mTOR Pathway. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 86:577-596. [PMID: 33993859 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921050072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a central regulator of cell metabolism, growth, and survival in response to hormones, growth factors, nutrients, and stress-induced signals. In this review, we analyzed the studies on the molecular abnormalities of the mTOR-associated signaling cascades in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and outlined the prospects for the pathogenicity-targeting pharmacotherapeutic approaches to ASDs, in particular syndromic ASDs. Based on available experimental and clinical data, we suggest that very early detection of molecular abnormalities in the ASD risk groups can be facilitated by using peripheral blood platelets. Also, identification of the time window of critical dysregulations in the described pathways in the ASD risk groups might suggest further research directions leading to more efficacious pharmacotherapeutic interventions in ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina S Boksha
- Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, 115522, Russia. .,Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098, Russia
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19
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Ash RT, Buffington SA, Park J, Suter B, Costa-Mattioli M, Zoghbi HY, Smirnakis SM. Inhibition of Elevated Ras-MAPK Signaling Normalizes Enhanced Motor Learning and Excessive Clustered Dendritic Spine Stabilization in the MECP2-Duplication Syndrome Mouse Model of Autism. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0056-21.2021. [PMID: 34021030 PMCID: PMC8260274 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0056-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The inflexible repetitive behaviors and "insistence on sameness" seen in autism imply a defect in neural processes controlling the balance between stability and plasticity of synaptic connections in the brain. It has been proposed that abnormalities in the Ras-ERK/MAPK pathway, a key plasticity-related cell signaling pathway known to drive consolidation of clustered synaptic connections, underlie altered learning phenotypes in autism. However, a link between altered Ras-ERK signaling and clustered dendritic spine plasticity has yet to be explored in an autism animal model in vivo The formation and stabilization of dendritic spine clusters is abnormally increased in the MECP2-duplication syndrome mouse model of syndromic autism, suggesting that ERK signaling may be increased. Here, we show that the Ras-ERK pathway is indeed hyperactive following motor training in MECP2-duplication mouse motor cortex. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK signaling normalizes the excessive clustered spine stabilization and enhanced motor learning behavior in MECP2-duplication mice. We conclude that hyperactive ERK signaling may contribute to abnormal clustered dendritic spine consolidation and motor learning in this model of syndromic autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Thomas Ash
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, CA 94305
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Jamaica Plain Veterans Administration Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Shelly Alexandra Buffington
- Memory and Brain Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Jiyoung Park
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Jamaica Plain Veterans Administration Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Bernhard Suter
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Jamaica Plain Veterans Administration Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Mauro Costa-Mattioli
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Memory and Brain Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Huda Yaya Zoghbi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Stelios Manolis Smirnakis
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Jamaica Plain Veterans Administration Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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20
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Tiwari A, Rahi S, Mehan S. Elucidation of Abnormal Extracellular Regulated Kinase (ERK) Signaling and Associations with Syndromic and Non-syndromic Autism. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:1071-1086. [PMID: 33081671 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666201020155010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a highly inherited and extremely complex disorder in which results from various cases indicate chromosome anomalies, unusual single-gene mutations, and multiplicative effects of particular gene variants, characterized primarily by impaired speech and social interaction and restricted behavior. The precise etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is currently unclear. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling mechanism affects neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity during the development of the central nervous mechanism. In this regard, the pathway of ERK has recently gained significant interest in the pathogenesis of ASD. The mutation occurs in a few ERK components. Besides, the ERK pathway dysfunction lies in the upstream of modified translation and contributes to synapse pathology in syndromic types of autism. In this review, we highlight the ERK pathway as a target for neurodevelopmental disorder autism. In addition, we summarize the regulation of the ERK pathway with ERK inhibitors in neurological disorders. In conclusion, a better understanding of the ERK signaling pathway provides a range of therapeutic options for autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Tiwari
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Saloni Rahi
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
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21
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Dionne O, Corbin F. An "Omic" Overview of Fragile X Syndrome. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:433. [PMID: 34068266 PMCID: PMC8153138 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with a wide range of cognitive, behavioral and medical problems. It arises from the silencing of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene and, consequently, in the absence of its encoded protein, FMRP (fragile X mental retardation protein). FMRP is a ubiquitously expressed and multifunctional RNA-binding protein, primarily considered as a translational regulator. Pre-clinical studies of the past two decades have therefore focused on this function to relate FMRP's absence to the molecular mechanisms underlying FXS physiopathology. Based on these data, successful pharmacological strategies were developed to rescue fragile X phenotype in animal models. Unfortunately, these results did not translate into humans as clinical trials using same therapeutic approaches did not reach the expected outcomes. These failures highlight the need to put into perspective the different functions of FMRP in order to get a more comprehensive understanding of FXS pathophysiology. This work presents a review of FMRP's involvement on noteworthy molecular mechanisms that may ultimately contribute to various biochemical alterations composing the fragile X phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Dionne
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke and Centre de Recherche du CHUS, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5H4, Canada;
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22
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Reynolds KE, Wong CR, Scott AL. Astrocyte-mediated purinergic signaling is upregulated in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. Glia 2021; 69:1816-1832. [PMID: 33754385 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. With increasing investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying FXS, there is growing evidence that perturbations in glial signaling are widely associated with neurological pathology. Purinergic signaling, which utilizes nucleoside triphosphates as signaling molecules, provides one of the most ubiquitous signaling systems for glial-neuronal and glial-glial crosstalk. Here, we sought to identify whether purinergic signaling is dysregulated within the FXS mouse cortex, and whether this dysregulation contributes to aberrant intercellular communication. In primary astrocyte cultures derived from the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS, we found that application of exogenous ATP and UTP evoked elevated intracellular calcium responses compared to wildtype levels. Accordingly, purinergic P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptor expression was increased in Fmr1 KO astrocytes both in vitro and in acutely dissociated tissue, while P2Y antagonism via suramin prevented intracellular calcium elevations, suggesting a role for these receptors in aberrant FXS astrocyte activation. To investigate the impact of elevated purinergic signaling on astrocyte-mediated synaptogenesis, we quantified synaptogenic protein TSP-1, known to be regulated by P2Y activation. TSP-1 secretion and expression were both heightened in Fmr1 KO vs wildtype astrocytes following UTP application, while naïve TSP-1 cortical expression was also transiently elevated in vivo, indicating increased potential for excitatory TSP-1-mediated synaptogenesis in the FXS cortex. Together, our results demonstrate novel and significant purinergic signaling elevations in Fmr1 KO astrocytes, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate the signaling aberrations observed in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Reynolds
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chloe R Wong
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela L Scott
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Peltier D, Radosevich M, Ravikumar V, Pitchiaya S, Decoville T, Wood SC, Hou G, Zajac C, Oravecz-Wilson K, Sokol D, Henig I, Wu J, Kim S, Taylor A, Fujiwara H, Sun Y, Rao A, Chinnaiyan AM, Goldstein DR, Reddy P. RNA-seq of human T cells after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation identifies Linc00402 as a regulator of T cell alloimmunity. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/585/eaaz0316. [PMID: 33731431 PMCID: PMC8589011 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz0316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms governing allogeneic T cell responses after solid organ and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are incompletely understood. To identify lncRNAs that regulate human donor T cells after clinical HSCT, we performed RNA sequencing on T cells from healthy individuals and donor T cells from three different groups of HSCT recipients that differed in their degree of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatch. We found that lncRNA differential expression was greatest in T cells after MHC-mismatched HSCT relative to T cells after either MHC-matched or autologous HSCT. Differential expression was validated in an independent patient cohort and in mixed lymphocyte reactions using ex vivo healthy human T cells. We identified Linc00402, an uncharacterized lncRNA, among the lncRNAs differentially expressed between the mismatched unrelated and matched unrelated donor T cells. We found that Linc00402 was conserved and exhibited an 88-fold increase in human T cells relative to all other samples in the FANTOM5 database. Linc00402 was also increased in donor T cells from patients who underwent allogeneic cardiac transplantation and in murine T cells. Linc00402 was reduced in patients who subsequently developed acute graft-versus-host disease. Linc00402 enhanced the activity of ERK1 and ERK2, increased FOS nuclear accumulation, and augmented expression of interleukin-2 and Egr-1 after T cell receptor engagement. Functionally, Linc00402 augmented the T cell proliferative response to an allogeneic stimulus but not to a nominal ovalbumin peptide antigen or polyclonal anti-CD3/CD28 stimulus. Thus, our studies identified Linc00402 as a regulator of allogeneic T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Peltier
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Molly Radosevich
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Visweswaran Ravikumar
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Radiation Oncology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | | | - Thomas Decoville
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Sherri C. Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Guoqing Hou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Cynthia Zajac
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Katherine Oravecz-Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - David Sokol
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Israel Henig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Julia Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Stephanie Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Austin Taylor
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Hideaki Fujiwara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Yaping Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Arvind Rao
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Radiation Oncology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Arul M. Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, 48109
| | - Daniel R. Goldstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gerontology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Program of Michigan Biology of Cardiovascular Aging, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109
| | - Pavan Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109.,Corresponding Author: Pavan Reddy,
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Shukla T, de la Peña JB, Perish JM, Ploski JE, Stumpf CR, Webster KR, Thorn CA, Campbell ZT. A Highly Selective MNK Inhibitor Rescues Deficits Associated with Fragile X Syndrome in Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:624-639. [PMID: 33006091 PMCID: PMC8116363 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited source of intellectual disability in humans. FXS is caused by mutations that trigger epigenetic silencing of the Fmr1 gene. Loss of Fmr1 results in increased activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. An important downstream consequence is activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting protein kinase (MNK). MNK phosphorylates the mRNA cap-binding protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). Excessive phosphorylation of eIF4E has been directly implicated in the cognitive and behavioral deficits associated with FXS. Pharmacological reduction of eIF4E phosphorylation is one potential strategy for FXS treatment. We demonstrate that systemic dosing of a highly specific, orally available MNK inhibitor, eFT508, attenuates numerous deficits associated with loss of Fmr1 in mice. eFT508 resolves a range of phenotypic abnormalities associated with FXS including macroorchidism, aberrant spinogenesis, and alterations in synaptic plasticity. Key behavioral deficits related to anxiety, social interaction, obsessive and repetitive activities, and object recognition are ameliorated by eFT508. Collectively, this work establishes eFT508 as a potential means to reverse deficits associated with FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarjani Shukla
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - June Bryan de la Peña
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - John M Perish
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jonathan E Ploski
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | | | | | - Catherine A Thorn
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Zachary T Campbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
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25
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Champigny C, Morin-Parent F, Bellehumeur-Lefebvre L, Çaku A, Lepage JF, Corbin F. Combining Lovastatin and Minocycline for the Treatment of Fragile X Syndrome: Results From the LovaMiX Clinical Trial. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:762967. [PMID: 35058813 PMCID: PMC8763805 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.762967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Limited success of previous clinical trials for Fragile X syndrome (FXS) has led researchers to consider combining different drugs to correct the pleiotropic consequences caused by the absence of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Here, we report the results of the LovaMiX clinical trial, the first trial for FXS combining two disease-modifying drugs, lovastatin, and minocycline, which have both shown positive effects when used independently. Aim: The main goals of the study were to assess the safety and efficacy of a treatment combining lovastatin and minocycline for patients with FXS. Design: Pilot Phase II open-label clinical trial. Patients with a molecular diagnostic of FXS were first randomized to receive, in two-step titration either lovastatin or minocycline for 8 weeks, followed by dual treatment with lovastatin 40 mg and minocycline 100 mg for 2 weeks. Clinical assessments were performed at the beginning, after 8 weeks of monotherapy, and at week 20 (12 weeks of combined therapy). Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C) global score. Secondary outcome measures included subscales of the FXS specific ABC-C (ABC-CFX), the Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF), and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale second edition (VABS-II). Results: Twenty-one individuals out of 22 completed the trial. There were no serious adverse events related to the use of either drugs alone or in combination, suggesting good tolerability and safety profile of the combined therapy. Significant improvement was noted on the primary outcome measure with a 40% decrease on ABC-C global score with the combined therapy. Several outcome measures also showed significance. Conclusion: The combination of lovastatin and minocycline is safe in patients for FXS individuals and appears to improve several elements of the behavior. These results set the stage for a larger, placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial to confirm the beneficial effects of the combined therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Champigny
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche du CHUS (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Laurence Bellehumeur-Lefebvre
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche du CHUS (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Artuela Çaku
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche du CHUS (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-François Lepage
- Centre de Recherche du CHUS (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - François Corbin
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche du CHUS (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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26
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Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Cabal-Herrera AM, Punatar RH, Clark CJ, Romney CA, Hagerman RJ. Overlapping Molecular Pathways Leading to Autism Spectrum Disorders, Fragile X Syndrome, and Targeted Treatments. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:265-283. [PMID: 33215285 PMCID: PMC8116395 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are subdivided into idiopathic (unknown) etiology and secondary, based on known etiology. There are hundreds of causes of ASD and most of them are genetic in origin or related to the interplay of genetic etiology and environmental toxicology. Approximately 30 to 50% of the etiologies can be identified when using a combination of available genetic testing. Many of these gene mutations are either core components of the Wnt signaling pathway or their modulators. The full mutation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene leads to fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common cause of monogenic origin of ASD, accounting for ~ 2% of the cases. There is an overlap of molecular mechanisms in those with idiopathic ASD and those with FXS, an interaction between various signaling pathways is suggested during the development of the autistic brain. This review summarizes the cross talk between neurobiological pathways found in ASD and FXS. These signaling pathways are currently under evaluation to target specific treatments in search of the reversal of the molecular abnormalities found in both idiopathic ASD and FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDHS, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Ana Maria Cabal-Herrera
- Group on Congenital Malformations and Dysmorphology, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, 00000, Colombia
| | - Ruchi Harendra Punatar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDHS, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Courtney Jessica Clark
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDHS, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Christopher Allen Romney
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDHS, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDHS, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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27
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Carbamazepine Restores Neuronal Signaling, Protein Synthesis, and Cognitive Function in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239327. [PMID: 33297570 PMCID: PMC7731004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a leading genetic disorder of intellectual disability caused by the loss of the functional fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). To date, there is no efficacious mechanism-based medication for FXS. With regard to potential disease mechanisms in FXS, it is widely accepted that the lack of FMRP causes elevated protein synthesis and deregulation of neuronal signaling. Abnormal enhancement of the ERK½ (extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½) and PI3K-Akt (Phosphoinositide 3 kinase-protein kinase B) signaling pathways has been identified in both FXS patients and FXS mouse models. In this study, we show that carbamazepine, which is an FDA-approved drug and has been mainly used to treat seizure and neuropathic pain, corrects cognitive deficits including passive avoidance and object location memory in FXS mice. Carbamazepine also rescues hyper locomotion and social deficits. At the cellular level, carbamazepine dampens the elevated level of ERK½ and Akt signaling as well as protein synthesis in FXS mouse neurons. Together, these results advocate repurposing carbamazepine for FXS treatment.
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28
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Neurobiological Mechanisms of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy, Insights from Animal Models. Neuroscience 2020; 445:69-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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29
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Hooshmandi M, Wong C, Khoutorsky A. Dysregulation of translational control signaling in autism spectrum disorders. Cell Signal 2020; 75:109746. [PMID: 32858122 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Deviations from the optimal level of mRNA translation are linked to disorders with high rates of autism. Loss of function mutations in genes encoding translational repressors such as PTEN, TSC1, TSC2, and FMRP are associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in humans and their deletion in animals recapitulates many ASD-like phenotypes. Importantly, the activity of key translational control signaling pathways such as PI3K-mTORC1 and ERK is frequently dysregulated in autistic patients and animal models and their normalization rescues many abnormal phenotypes, suggesting a causal relationship. Mutations in several genes encoding proteins not directly involved in translational control have also been shown to mediate ASD phenotypes via altered signaling upstream of translation. This raises the possibility that the dysregulation of translational control signaling is a converging mechanism not only in familiar but also in sporadic forms of autism. Here, we overview the current knowledge on translational signaling in ASD and highlight how correcting the activity of key pathways upstream of translation reverses distinct ASD-like phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Hooshmandi
- Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Calvin Wong
- Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Arkady Khoutorsky
- Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada.
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30
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Telias M. Pharmacological Treatments for Fragile X Syndrome Based on Synaptic Dysfunction. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4394-4404. [PMID: 31682210 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191102165206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of monogenic hereditary cognitive impairment, including intellectual disability, autism, hyperactivity, and epilepsy. METHODS This article reviews the literature pertaining to the role of synaptic dysfunction in FXS. RESULTS In FXS, synaptic dysfunction alters the excitation-inhibition ratio, dysregulating molecular and cellular processes underlying cognition, learning, memory, and social behavior. Decades of research have yielded important hypotheses that could explain, at least in part, the development of these neurological disorders in FXS patients. However, the main goal of translating lab research in animal models to pharmacological treatments in the clinic has been so far largely unsuccessful, leaving FXS a still incurable disease. CONCLUSION In this concise review, we summarize and analyze the main hypotheses proposed to explain synaptic dysregulation in FXS, by reviewing the scientific evidence that led to pharmaceutical clinical trials and their outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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31
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Ju Y, Park JS, Kim D, Kim B, Lee JH, Nam Y, Yoo HW, Lee BH, Han YM. SHP2 mutations induce precocious gliogenesis of Noonan syndrome-derived iPSCs during neural development in vitro. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:209. [PMID: 32493428 PMCID: PMC7268229 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01709-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Noonan syndrome (NS) is a developmental disorder caused by mutations of Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2). Although NS patients have diverse neurological manifestations, the mechanisms underlying the involvement of SHP2 mutations in neurological dysfunction remain elusive. Methods Induced pluripotent stem cells generated from dermal fibroblasts of three NS-patients (NS-iPSCs) differentiated to the neural cells by using two different culture systems, 2D- and 3D-cultured systems in vitro. Results Here we represent that SHP2 mutations cause aberrant neural development. The NS-iPSCs exhibited impaired development of EBs in which BMP and TGF-β signalings were activated. Defective early neuroectodermal development of NS-iPSCs recovered by inhibition of both signalings and further differentiated into NPCs. Intriguingly, neural cells developed from NS-NPCs exhibited abundancy of the glial cells, neurites of neuronal cells, and low electrophysiological property. Those aberrant phenotypes were also detected in NS-cerebral organoids. SHP2 inhibition in the NS-NPCs and NS-cerebral organoids ameliorated those anomalies such as biased glial differentiation and low neural activity. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that SHP2 mutations contribute to precocious gliogenesis in NS-iPSCs during neural development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younghee Ju
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Sung Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Daejeong Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Bumsoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Ho Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonkey Nam
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Wook Yoo
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Hee Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Mahn Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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32
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Utami KH, Yusof NABM, Kwa JE, Peteri UK, Castrén ML, Pouladi MA. Elevated de novo protein synthesis in FMRP-deficient human neurons and its correction by metformin treatment. Mol Autism 2020; 11:41. [PMID: 32460900 PMCID: PMC7251671 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00350-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
FXS is the most common genetic cause of intellectual (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). FXS is caused by loss of FMRP, an RNA-binding protein involved in the translational regulation of a large number of neuronal mRNAs. Absence of FMRP has been shown to lead to elevated protein synthesis and is thought to be a major cause of the synaptic plasticity and behavioural deficits in FXS. The increase in protein synthesis results in part from abnormal activation of key protein translation pathways downstream of ERK1/2 and mTOR signalling. Pharmacological and genetic interventions that attenuate hyperactivation of these pathways can normalize levels of protein synthesis and improve phenotypic outcomes in animal models of FXS. Several efforts are currently underway to trial this strategy in patients with FXS. To date, elevated global protein synthesis as a result of FMRP loss has not been validated in the context of human neurons. Here, using an isogenic human stem cell-based model, we show that de novo protein synthesis is elevated in FMRP-deficient neural cells. We further show that this increase is associated with elevated ERK1/2 and Akt signalling and can be rescued by metformin treatment. Finally, we examined the effect of normalizing protein synthesis on phenotypic abnormalities in FMRP-deficient neural cells. We find that treatment with metformin attenuates the increase in proliferation of FMRP-deficient neural progenitor cells but not the neuronal deficits in neurite outgrowth. The elevated level of protein synthesis and the normalization of neural progenitor proliferation by metformin treatment were validated in additional control and FXS patient-derived hiPSC lines. Overall, our results validate that loss of FMRP results in elevated de novo protein synthesis in human neurons and suggest that approaches targeting this abnormality are likely to be of partial therapeutic benefit in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kagistia Hana Utami
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Jing Eugene Kwa
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Ulla-Kaisa Peteri
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija L Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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33
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Ding Q, Sethna F, Wu XT, Miao Z, Chen P, Zhang Y, Xiao H, Feng W, Feng Y, Li X, Wang H. Transcriptome signature analysis repurposes trifluoperazine for the treatment of fragile X syndrome in mouse model. Commun Biol 2020; 3:127. [PMID: 32179850 PMCID: PMC7075969 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0833-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a prevailing genetic disorder of intellectual disability and autism. There is no efficacious medication for FXS. Through in silico screening with a public database, computational analysis of transcriptome profile in FXS mouse neurons predicts therapeutic value of an FDA-approved drug trifluoperazine. Systemic administration of low-dose trifluoperazine at 0.05 mg/kg attenuates multiple FXS- and autism-related behavioral symptoms. Moreover, computational analysis of transcriptome alteration caused by trifluoperazine suggests a new mechanism of action against PI3K (Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase) activity. Consistently, trifluoperazine suppresses PI3K activity and its down-stream targets Akt (protein kinase B) and S6K1 (S6 kinase 1) in neurons. Further, trifluoperazine normalizes the aberrantly elevated activity of Akt and S6K1 and enhanced protein synthesis in FXS mouse. Together, our data demonstrate a promising value of transcriptome-based computation in identification of therapeutic strategy and repurposing drugs for neurological disorders, and suggest trifluoperazine as a potential treatment for FXS. Qi Ding, Ferzin Sethna et al. perform a computational analysis of the transcriptome profile of Fmr1−/− neurons and identify trifluoperazine as potential therapeutic agent against Fragile X Syndrome. Next, they show that low doses of trifluoperazine ameliorate some of the behavioral and molecular phenotypes present in Fmr1−/− mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Ding
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Ferzin Sethna
- Genetics Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Xue-Ting Wu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuang Miao
- Genetics Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Ping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqi Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Hua Xiao
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Wei Feng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, Georgia
| | - Yue Feng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, Georgia
| | - Xuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongbing Wang
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. .,Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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Synaptic GluN2A-Containing NMDA Receptors: From Physiology to Pathological Synaptic Plasticity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041538. [PMID: 32102377 PMCID: PMC7073220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors (NMDARs) are ionotropic glutamate-gated receptors. NMDARs are tetramers composed by several homologous subunits of GluN1-, GluN2-, or GluN3-type, leading to the existence in the central nervous system of a high variety of receptor subtypes with different pharmacological and signaling properties. NMDAR subunit composition is strictly regulated during development and by activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Given the differences between GluN2 regulatory subunits of NMDAR in several functions, here we will focus on the synaptic pool of NMDARs containing the GluN2A subunit, addressing its role in both physiology and pathological synaptic plasticity as well as the contribution in these events of different types of GluN2A-interacting proteins.
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35
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Seese RR, Le AA, Wang K, Cox CD, Lynch G, Gall CM. A TrkB agonist and ampakine rescue synaptic plasticity and multiple forms of memory in a mouse model of intellectual disability. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 134:104604. [PMID: 31494285 PMCID: PMC7258745 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is associated with deficits in various types of learning, including those that require the hippocampus. Relatedly, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is impaired in the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS. Prior research found that infusion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rescues LTP in the KOs. Here, we tested if, in Fmr1 KO mice, up-regulating BDNF production or treatment with an agonist for BDNF's TrkB receptor restores synaptic plasticity and improves learning. In hippocampal slices, bath infusion of the TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) completely restored otherwise impaired hippocampal field CA1 LTP of Fmr1 KOs without effect in wild types (WTs). Similarly, acute, semi-chronic, or chronic treatments with 7,8-DHF rescued a simple hippocampus-dependent form of spatial learning (object location memory: OLM) in Fmr1 KOs without effect in WTs. The agonist also restored object recognition memory, which depends on cortical regions. Semi-chronic, but not acute, treatment with the ampakine CX929, which up-regulates BDNF expression, lowered the training threshold for OLM in WT mice and rescued learning in the KOs. Positive results were also obtained in a test for social recognition. An mGluR5 antagonist did not improve learning. Quantification of synaptic immunolabeling demonstrated that 7,8-DHF and CX929 increase levels of activated TrkB at excitatory synapses. Moreover, CX929 induced a robust synaptic activation of the TrkB effector ERK1/2. These results suggest that enhanced synaptic BDNF signaling constitutes a plausible strategy for treating certain aspects of the cognitive disabilities associated with FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald R Seese
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Aliza A Le
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Conor D Cox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Gary Lynch
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America.
| | - Christine M Gall
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America.
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36
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Gonzalez D, Tomasek M, Hays S, Sridhar V, Ammanuel S, Chang CW, Pawlowski K, Huber KM, Gibson JR. Audiogenic Seizures in the Fmr1 Knock-Out Mouse Are Induced by Fmr1 Deletion in Subcortical, VGlut2-Expressing Excitatory Neurons and Require Deletion in the Inferior Colliculus. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9852-9863. [PMID: 31666356 PMCID: PMC6891051 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0886-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and the leading monogenetic cause of autism. One symptom of FXS and autism is sensory hypersensitivity (also called sensory over-responsivity). Perhaps related to this, the audiogenic seizure (AGS) is arguably the most robust behavioral phenotype in the FXS mouse model-the Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse. Therefore, the AGS may be considered a mouse model of sensory hypersensitivity. Hyperactive circuits are hypothesized to underlie dysfunction in a number of brain regions in patients with FXS and Fmr1 KO mice, and the AGS may be a result of this. But the specific cell types and brain regions underlying AGSs in the Fmr1 KO are unknown. We used conditional deletion or expression of Fmr1 in different cell populations to determine whether Fmr1 deletion in those cells was sufficient or necessary, respectively, for the AGS phenotype in males. Our data indicate that Fmr1 deletion in glutamatergic neurons that express vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGlut2) and are located in subcortical brain regions is sufficient and necessary to cause AGSs. Furthermore, the deletion of Fmr1 in glutamatergic neurons of the inferior colliculus is necessary for AGSs. When we demonstrate necessity, we show that Fmr1 expression in either the larger population of VGlut2-expressing glutamatergic neurons or the smaller population of inferior collicular glutamatergic neurons-in an otherwise Fmr1 KO mouse-eliminates AGSs. Therefore, targeting these neuronal populations in FXS and autism may be part of a therapeutic strategy to alleviate sensory hypersensitivity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism patients significantly interferes with quality of life. Audiogenic seizures (AGSs) are arguably the most robust behavioral phenotype in the FXS mouse model-the Fmr1 knockout-and may be considered a model of sensory hypersensitivity in FXS. We provide the clearest and most precise genetic evidence to date for the cell types and brain regions involved in causing AGSs in the Fmr1 knockout and, more broadly, for any mouse mutant. The expression of Fmr1 in these same cell types in an otherwise Fmr1 knockout eliminates AGSs indicating possible cellular targets for alleviating sensory hypersensitivity in FXS and other forms of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seth Hays
- Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, and
| | | | | | | | - Karen Pawlowski
- Department of Otolaryngology and Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9035
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37
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Association of genes with phenotype in autism spectrum disorder. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:10742-10770. [PMID: 31744938 PMCID: PMC6914398 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetic heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by impairments in social interaction and speech development and is accompanied by stereotypical behaviors such as body rocking, hand flapping, spinning objects, sniffing and restricted behaviors. The considerable significance of the genetics associated with autism has led to the identification of many risk genes for ASD used for the probing of ASD specificity and shared cognitive features over the past few decades. Identification of ASD risk genes helps to unravel various genetic variants and signaling pathways which are involved in ASD. This review highlights the role of ASD risk genes in gene transcription and translation regulation processes, as well as neuronal activity modulation, synaptic plasticity, disrupted key biological signaling pathways, and the novel candidate genes that play a significant role in the pathophysiology of ASD. The current emphasis on autism spectrum disorders has generated new opportunities in the field of neuroscience, and further advancements in the identification of different biomarkers, risk genes, and genetic pathways can help in the early diagnosis and development of new clinical and pharmacological treatments for ASD.
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38
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Adenosine A2A receptor as potential therapeutic target in neuropsychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Res 2019; 147:104338. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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39
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Szczurkowska J, Pischedda F, Pinto B, Managò F, Haas CA, Summa M, Bertorelli R, Papaleo F, Schäfer MK, Piccoli G, Cancedda L. NEGR1 and FGFR2 cooperatively regulate cortical development and core behaviours related to autism disorders in mice. Brain 2019; 141:2772-2794. [PMID: 30059965 PMCID: PMC6113639 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions with diverse aetiologies, all characterized by common core symptoms such as impaired social skills and communication, as well as repetitive behaviour. Cell adhesion molecules, receptor tyrosine kinases and associated downstream signalling have been strongly implicated in both neurodevelopment and autism spectrum disorders. We found that downregulation of the cell adhesion molecule NEGR1 or the receptor tyrosine kinase fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) similarly affects neuronal migration and spine density during mouse cortical development in vivo and results in impaired core behaviours related to autism spectrum disorders. Mechanistically, NEGR1 physically interacts with FGFR2 and modulates FGFR2-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT) signalling by decreasing FGFR2 degradation from the plasma membrane. Accordingly, FGFR2 overexpression rescues all defects due to Negr1 knockdown in vivo. Negr1 knockout mice present phenotypes similar to Negr1-downregulated animals. These data indicate that NEGR1 and FGFR2 cooperatively regulate cortical development and suggest a role for defective NEGR1-FGFR2 complex and convergent downstream ERK and AKT signalling in autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Szczurkowska
- Local Micro-environment and Brain Development Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy.,Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Balbi, 5, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Pischedda
- Laboratory of Biology of Synapse. Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Bruno Pinto
- Local Micro-environment and Brain Development Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy.,Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Managò
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carola A Haas
- Experimental Epilepsy Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maria Summa
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michael K Schäfer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Giovanni Piccoli
- Laboratory of Biology of Synapse. Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Varese Street 16b - 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Local Micro-environment and Brain Development Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Varese Street 16b - 00185 Rome, Italy
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40
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Lovastatin, not Simvastatin, Corrects Core Phenotypes in the Fragile X Mouse Model. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0097-19.2019. [PMID: 31147392 PMCID: PMC6565377 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0097-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin corrects neurological phenotypes in animal models of fragile X syndrome (FX), a commonly identified genetic cause of autism and intellectual disability (ID). The therapeutic efficacy of lovastatin is being tested in clinical trials for FX; however, the structurally similar drug simvastatin has been proposed as an alternative due to an increased potency and brain penetrance. Here, we perform a side-by-side comparison of the effects of lovastatin and simvastatin treatment on two core phenotypes in Fmr1-/y mice versus WT littermates: excessive hippocampal protein synthesis and susceptibility to audiogenic seizures (AGSs). We find that simvastatin does not correct excessive hippocampal protein synthesis in the Fmr1-/y hippocampus at any dose tested. In fact, simvastatin significantly increases protein synthesis in both Fmr1-/y and WT. Moreover, injection of simvastatin does not reduce AGS in the Fmr1-/y mouse, while lovastatin significantly reduces AGS incidence and severity versus vehicle-treated animals. These results show that unlike lovastatin, simvastatin does not correct core phenotypes in the Fmr1-/y mouse model.
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41
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Bagni C, Zukin RS. A Synaptic Perspective of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuron 2019; 101:1070-1088. [PMID: 30897358 PMCID: PMC9628679 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Altered synaptic structure and function is a major hallmark of fragile X syndrome (FXS), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and other intellectual disabilities (IDs), which are therefore classified as synaptopathies. FXS and ASDs, while clinically and genetically distinct, share significant comorbidity, suggesting that there may be a common molecular and/or cellular basis, presumably at the synapse. In this article, we review brain architecture and synaptic pathways that are dysregulated in FXS and ASDs, including spine architecture, signaling in synaptic plasticity, local protein synthesis, (m)RNA modifications, and degradation. mRNA repression is a powerful mechanism for the regulation of synaptic structure and efficacy. We infer that there is no single pathway that explains most of the etiology and discuss new findings and the implications for future work directed at improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of FXS and related ASDs and the design of therapeutic strategies to ameliorate these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bagni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - R Suzanne Zukin
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
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42
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Patel J, Lukkes JL, Shekhar A. Overview of genetic models of autism spectrum disorders. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 241:1-36. [PMID: 30447752 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopment disorders that are characterized by heterogenous cognitive deficits and genetic factors. As more ASD risk genes are identified, genetic animal models have been developed to parse out the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of ASD. In this review, we discuss a subset of genetic models of ASD, focusing on those that have been widely studied and strongly linked to ASD. We focus our discussion of these models in the context of the theories and potential mechanisms of ASD, including disruptions in cell growth and proliferation, spine dynamics, synaptic transmission, excitation/inhibition balance, intracellular signaling, neuroinflammation, and behavior. In addition to ASD pathophysiology, we examine the limitations and challenges that genetic models pose for the study of ASD biology. We end with a review of innovative techniques and concepts of ASD pathology that can be further applied to and studied using genetic ASD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jheel Patel
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jodi L Lukkes
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Anantha Shekhar
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Indiana Clinical and Translation Sciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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43
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Abstract
The MAPK pathway is a prominent intracellular signaling pathway regulating various intracellular functions. Components of this pathway are mutated in a related collection of congenital syndromes collectively referred to as neuro-cardio-facio-cutaneous syndromes (NCFC) or Rasopathies. Recently, it has been appreciated that these disorders are associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In addition, idiopathic ASD has also implicated the MAPK signaling cascade as a common pathway that is affected by many of the genetic variants that have been found to be linked to ASDs. This chapter describes the components of the MAPK pathway and how it is regulated. Furthermore, this chapter will highlight the various functions of the MAPK pathway during both embryonic development of the central nervous system (CNS) and its roles in neuronal physiology and ultimately, behavior. Finally, we will summarize the perturbations to MAPK signaling in various models of autism spectrum disorders and Rasopathies to highlight how dysregulation of this pivotal pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of autism.
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44
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Gantois I, Popic J, Khoutorsky A, Sonenberg N. Metformin for Treatment of Fragile X Syndrome and Other Neurological Disorders. Annu Rev Med 2018; 70:167-181. [PMID: 30365357 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-081117-041238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most frequent inherited form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Loss of the fragile X mental retardation protein, FMRP, engenders molecular, behavioral, and cognitive deficits in FXS patients. Experiments using different animal models advanced our knowledge of the pathophysiology of FXS and led to the discovery of many targets for drug treatments. In this review, we discuss the potential of metformin, an antidiabetic drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, to correct core symptoms of FXS and other neurological disorders in humans. We summarize its mechanisms of action in different animal and cellular models and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Gantois
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal H3A 2T5, Québec, Canada; , , .,Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal H3A 2T5, Québec, Canada
| | - Jelena Popic
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal H3A 2T5, Québec, Canada; , , .,Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal H3A 2T5, Québec, Canada
| | - Arkady Khoutorsky
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montréal H3A 2T5, Québec, Canada;
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal H3A 2T5, Québec, Canada; , , .,Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal H3A 2T5, Québec, Canada
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45
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Dahlhaus R. Of Men and Mice: Modeling the Fragile X Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:41. [PMID: 29599705 PMCID: PMC5862809 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common forms of inherited intellectual disability in all human societies. Caused by the transcriptional silencing of a single gene, the fragile x mental retardation gene FMR1, FXS is characterized by a variety of symptoms, which range from mental disabilities to autism and epilepsy. More than 20 years ago, a first animal model was described, the Fmr1 knock-out mouse. Several other models have been developed since then, including conditional knock-out mice, knock-out rats, a zebrafish and a drosophila model. Using these model systems, various targets for potential pharmaceutical treatments have been identified and many treatments have been shown to be efficient in preclinical studies. However, all attempts to turn these findings into a therapy for patients have failed thus far. In this review, I will discuss underlying difficulties and address potential alternatives for our future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Dahlhaus
- Institute for Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Centre, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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46
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Grissom NM, McKee SE, Schoch H, Bowman N, Havekes R, O'Brien WT, Mahrt E, Siegel S, Commons K, Portfors C, Nickl-Jockschat T, Reyes TM, Abel T. Male-specific deficits in natural reward learning in a mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:544-555. [PMID: 29038598 PMCID: PMC5822461 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, are highly male biased, but the underpinnings of this are unknown. Striatal dysfunction has been strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, raising the question of whether there are sex differences in how the striatum is impacted by genetic risk factors linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we report male-specific deficits in striatal function important to reward learning in a mouse model of 16p11.2 hemideletion, a genetic mutation that is strongly associated with the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. We find that male, but not female, 16p11.2 deletion animals show impairments in reward-directed learning and maintaining motivation to work for rewards. Male, but not female, deletion animals overexpress mRNA for dopamine receptor 2 and adenosine receptor 2a in the striatum, markers of medium spiny neurons signaling via the indirect pathway, associated with behavioral inhibition. Both sexes show a 50% reduction of mRNA levels of the genes located within the 16p11.2 region in the striatum, including the kinase extracellular-signal related kinase 1 (ERK1). However, hemideletion males show increased activation in the striatum for ERK1, both at baseline and in response to sucrose, a signaling change associated with decreased striatal plasticity. This increase in ERK1 phosphorylation is coupled with a decrease in the abundance of the ERK phosphatase striatum-enriched protein-tyrosine phosphatase in hemideletion males. In contrast, females do not show activation of ERK1 in response to sucrose, but notably hemideletion females show elevated protein levels for ERK1 as well as the related kinase ERK2 over what would be predicted by mRNA levels. These data indicate profound sex differences in the impact of a genetic lesion linked with neurodevelopmental disorders, including mechanisms of male-specific vulnerability and female-specific resilience impacting intracellular signaling in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Grissom
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - S E McKee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - H Schoch
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - N Bowman
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - R Havekes
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - W T O'Brien
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - E Mahrt
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, WA, USA
| | - S Siegel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - K Commons
- Department of Anesthesia, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - C Portfors
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, WA, USA
| | - T Nickl-Jockschat
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany,Jülich Aachen Research Alliance—Translational Brain Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - T M Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - T Abel
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 2312 Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, 162 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. E-mail:
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47
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Harkins CM, Dominick KC, Wink LK, Pedapati EV, Shaffer RC, Fitzpatrick SE, Davenport MH, Sweeney JA, Erickson CA. Challenges in Conducting Clinical Trials for Pharmacotherapies in Fragile X Syndrome: Lessons Learned. Pharmaceut Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40290-017-0199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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48
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Pellerin D, Lortie A, Corbin F. Platelets as a surrogate disease model of neurodevelopmental disorders: Insights from Fragile X Syndrome. Platelets 2017; 29:113-124. [PMID: 28660769 DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2017.1317733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability and the leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Despite a large number of therapeutics developed in past years, there is currently no targeted treatment approved for FXS. In fact, translation of the positive and very promising preclinical findings from animal models to human subjects has so far fallen short owing in part to the low predictive validity of the Fmr1 ko mouse, an overly simplistic model of the complex human disease. This issue stresses the critical need to identify new surrogate human peripheral cell models of FXS, which may in fact allow for the identification of novel and more efficient therapies. Of all described models, blood platelets appear to be one of the most promising and appropriate disease models of FXS, in part owing to their close biochemical similarities with neurons. Noteworthy, they also recapitulate some of FXS neuron's core molecular dysregulations, such as hyperactivity of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, elevated enzymatic activity of MMP9 and decreased production of cAMP. Platelets might therefore help furthering our understanding of FXS pathophysiology and might also lead to the identification of disease-specific biomarkers, as was shown in several psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, there is additional evidence suggesting that platelet signaling may assist with prediction of cognitive phenotype and could represent a potent readout of drug efficacy in clinical trials. Globally, given the neurobiological overlap between different forms of intellectual disability, platelets may be a valuable window to access the molecular underpinnings of ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) sharing similar synaptic plasticity defects with FXS. Platelets are indeed an attractive model for unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms involved in NDD as well as to search for diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pellerin
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada.,b Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine , McGill University , Montreal , QC , Canada
| | - Audrey Lortie
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada
| | - François Corbin
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada
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49
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Erickson CA, Davenport MH, Schaefer TL, Wink LK, Pedapati EV, Sweeney JA, Fitzpatrick SE, Brown WT, Budimirovic D, Hagerman RJ, Hessl D, Kaufmann WE, Berry-Kravis E. Fragile X targeted pharmacotherapy: lessons learned and future directions. J Neurodev Disord 2017; 9:7. [PMID: 28616096 PMCID: PMC5467059 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-017-9186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of fragile X syndrome (FXS) pathophysiology continues to improve and numerous potential drug targets have been identified. Yet, current prescribing practices are only symptom-based in order to manage difficult behaviors, as no drug to date is approved for the treatment of FXS. Drugs impacting a diversity of targets in the brain have been studied in recent FXS-specific clinical trials. While many drugs have focused on regulation of enhanced glutamatergic or deficient GABAergic neurotransmission, compounds studied have not been limited to these mechanisms. As a single-gene disorder, it was thought that FXS would have consistent drug targets that could be modulated with pharmacotherapy and lead to significant improvement. Unfortunately, despite promising results in FXS animal models, translational drug treatment development in FXS has largely failed. Future success in this field will depend on learning from past challenges to improve clinical trial design, choose appropriate outcome measures and age range choices, and find readily modulated drug targets. Even with many negative placebo-controlled study results, the field continues to move forward exploring both the new mechanistic drug approaches combined with ways to improve trial execution. This review summarizes the known phenotype and pathophysiology of FXS and past clinical trial rationale and results, and discusses current challenges facing the field and lessons from which to learn for future treatment development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (MLC 4002), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Matthew H Davenport
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (MLC 4002), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Tori L Schaefer
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (MLC 4002), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Logan K Wink
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (MLC 4002), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Ernest V Pedapati
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (MLC 4002), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - John A Sweeney
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Sarah E Fitzpatrick
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (MLC 4002), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - W Ted Brown
- Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY USA
| | - Dejan Budimirovic
- Clinical Research Center, Clinical Trials Unit, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD USA.,Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Child Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Davis Medical Center, University of California, Sacramento, CA USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Davis Medical Center, University of California, Sacramento, California USA
| | - David Hessl
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, Davis Medical Center, University of California, Sacramento, CA USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Davis Medical Center, University of California, Sacramento, California USA
| | - Walter E Kaufmann
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC USA.,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts USA
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois USA
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50
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Schaefer TL, Davenport MH, Grainger LM, Robinson CK, Earnheart AT, Stegman MS, Lang AL, Ashworth AA, Molinaro G, Huber KM, Erickson CA. Acamprosate in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome: modulation of spontaneous cortical activity, ERK1/2 activation, locomotor behavior, and anxiety. J Neurodev Disord 2017; 9:6. [PMID: 28616095 PMCID: PMC5467053 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-017-9184-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) occurs as a result of a silenced fragile X mental retardation 1 gene (FMR1) and subsequent loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) expression. Loss of FMRP alters excitatory/inhibitory signaling balance, leading to increased neuronal hyperexcitability and altered behavior. Acamprosate (the calcium salt of N-acetylhomotaurinate), a drug FDA-approved for relapse prevention in the treatment of alcohol dependence in adults, is a novel agent with multiple mechanisms that may be beneficial for people with FXS. There are questions regarding the neuroactive effects of acamprosate and the significance of the molecule's calcium moiety. Therefore, the electrophysiological, cellular, molecular, and behavioral effects of acamprosate were assessed in the Fmr1-/y (knock out; KO) mouse model of FXS controlling for the calcium salt in several experiments. METHODS Fmr1 KO mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates were utilized to assess acamprosate treatment on cortical UP state parameters, dendritic spine density, and seizure susceptibility. Brain extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation was used to investigate this signaling molecule as a potential biomarker for treatment response. Additional adult mice were used to assess chronic acamprosate treatment and any potential effects of the calcium moiety using CaCl2 treatment on behavior and nuclear ERK1/2 activation. RESULTS Acamprosate attenuated prolonged cortical UP state duration, decreased elevated ERK1/2 activation in brain tissue, and reduced nuclear ERK1/2 activation in the dentate gyrus in KO mice. Acamprosate treatment modified behavior in anxiety and locomotor tests in Fmr1 KO mice in which control-treated KO mice were shown to deviate from control-treated WT mice. Mice treated with CaCl2 were not different from saline-treated mice in the adult behavior battery or nuclear ERK1/2 activation. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that acamprosate, and not calcium, improves function reminiscent of reduced anxiety-like behavior and hyperactivity in Fmr1 KO mice and that acamprosate attenuates select electrophysiological and molecular dysregulation that may play a role in the pathophysiology of FXS. Differences between control-treated KO and WT mice were not evident in a recognition memory test or in examination of acoustic startle response/prepulse inhibition which impeded conclusions from being made about the treatment effects of acamprosate in these instances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori L Schaefer
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Matthew H Davenport
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Lindsay M Grainger
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Chandler K Robinson
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Anthony T Earnheart
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Melinda S Stegman
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Present address: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Anna L Lang
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Present address: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202 USA
| | - Amy A Ashworth
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Present address: BlackbookHR, Cincinnati, OH 45202 USA
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Craig A Erickson
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
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