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Baronio D, Puttonen HAJ, Sundvik M, Semenova S, Lehtonen E, Panula P. Embryonic exposure to valproic acid affects the histaminergic system and the social behaviour of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:797-809. [PMID: 29235100 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Histamine modulates several behaviours and physiological functions, and its deficiency is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Gestational intake of valproic acid (VPA) is linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterized by impaired sociability and stereotypies. VPA effects on the neurochemistry and functional morphology of the histaminergic system in ASD are unclear. Zebrafish are highly social, and given the similarities between zebrafish and human neurotransmitter systems, we have studied the effects of VPA on histamine in zebrafish. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Histaminergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems of larval and adult zebrafish exposed to VPA from the end of gastrulation until neural tube formation were studied using HPLC, quantitative PCR, immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Sociability, dark-flash response and locomotion were also studied. KEY RESULTS Zebrafish larvae exposed to VPA showed decreased locomotion and an abnormal dark-flash response. Additionally, a reduced number of histaminergic neurons, low histamine and altered mRNA expression of key genes of the monoaminergic systems were also detected. The reduced mRNA expression of genes of the studied systems persisted until adulthood. Furthermore, adult VPA-exposed animals presented lower brain levels of noradrenaline and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, along with impaired sociability. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS VPA exposure in early development causes molecular and neurochemical alterations in zebrafish, which persist into adulthood and accompany impaired sociability. These findings will highlight the possible involvement of the histaminergic system in outcomes related to neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, it supports zebrafish as a tool to investigate mechanisms underlying these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Baronio
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henri A J Puttonen
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria Sundvik
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Svetlana Semenova
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi Lehtonen
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pertti Panula
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Łażewska D, Kieć-Kononowicz K. Progress in the development of histamine H 3 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists: a patent review (2013-2017). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2018; 28:175-196. [PMID: 29334795 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2018.1424135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since years, ligands blocking histamine H3 receptor (H3R) activity (antagonists/inverse agonists) are interesting targets in the search for new cures for CNS disorders. Intensive works done by academic and pharmaceutical company researchers have led to many potent and selective H3R antagonists/inverse agonists. Some of them have reached to clinical trials. AREAS COVERED Patent applications from January 2013 to September 2017 and the most important topics connected with H3R field are analysed. Espacenet, Patentscope, Pubmed, GoogleScholar or Cochrane Library online databases were principially used to collect all the materials. EXPERT OPINION The research interest in histamine H3R field is still high although the number of patent applications has decreased during the past 4 years (around 20 publications). Complexity of histamine H3R biology e.g. many isoforms, constitutive activity, heteromerization with other receptors (dopamine D2, D1, adenosine A2A) and pharmacology make not easy realization and evaluation of therapeutic potential of anti-H3R ligands. First results from clinical trials have verified potential utility of histamine H3R antagonist/inverse agonists in some diseases. However, more studies are necessary for better understanding of an involvement of the histaminergic system in CNS-related disorders and helping more ligands approach to clinical trials and the market. Lists of abbreviations: hAChEI - human acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; hBuChEI - human butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor; hMAO - human monoamine oxidase; MAO - monoamine oxidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Łażewska
- a Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs , Jagiellonian University Medical College , Kraków , Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kieć-Kononowicz
- a Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs , Jagiellonian University Medical College , Kraków , Poland
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Liberman AC, Trias E, da Silva Chagas L, Trindade P, Dos Santos Pereira M, Refojo D, Hedin-Pereira C, Serfaty CA. Neuroimmune and Inflammatory Signals in Complex Disorders of the Central Nervous System. Neuroimmunomodulation 2018; 25:246-270. [PMID: 30517945 DOI: 10.1159/000494761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An extensive microglial-astrocyte-monocyte-neuronal cross talk seems to be crucial for normal brain function, development, and recovery. However, under certain conditions neuroinflammatory interactions between brain cells and neuroimmune cells influence disease outcome and brain pathology. Microglial cells express a range of functional states with dynamically pleomorphic profiles from a surveilling status of synaptic transmission to an active player in major events of development such as synaptic elimination, regeneration, and repair. Also, inflammation mediates a series of neurotoxic roles in neuropsychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. The present review discusses data on the involvement of neuroinflammatory conditions that alter neuroimmune interactions in four different pathologies. In the first section of this review, we discuss the ability of the early developing brain to respond to a focal lesion with a rapid compensatory plasticity of intact axons and the role of microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokines in brain repair. In the second section, we present data of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders and discuss the role of reactive astrocytes in motor neuron toxicity and the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the third section, we discuss major depressive disorders as the consequence of dysfunctional interactions between neural and immune signals that result in increased peripheral immune responses and increase proinflammatory cytokines. In the last section, we discuss autism spectrum disorders and altered brain circuitries that emerge from abnormal long-term responses of innate inflammatory cytokines and microglial phenotypic dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Liberman
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA)-CONICET-Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
| | - Emiliano Trias
- Neurodegeneration Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Pablo Trindade
- D'OR Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marissol Dos Santos Pereira
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation - INCT-NIM, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory for Cellular NeuroAnatomy, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Damian Refojo
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA)-CONICET-Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Hedin-Pereira
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation - INCT-NIM, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory for Cellular NeuroAnatomy, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- VPPCB, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudio A Serfaty
- Neuroscience Program, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil
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54
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Servadio M, Manduca A, Melancia F, Leboffe L, Schiavi S, Campolongo P, Palmery M, Ascenzi P, di Masi A, Trezza V. Impaired repair of DNA damage is associated with autistic-like traits in rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:85-96. [PMID: 29174949 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to the antiepileptic and mood stabilizer valproic acid (VPA) is an environmental risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), although recent epidemiological studies show that the public awareness of this association is still limited. Based on the clinical findings, prenatal VPA exposure in rodents is a widely used preclinical model of ASD. However, there is limited information about the precise biochemical mechanisms underlying the link between ASD and VPA. Here, we tested the effects of increasing doses of VPA on behavioral features resembling core and secondary symptoms of ASD in rats. Only when administered prenatally at the dose of 500mg/kg, VPA induced deficits in communication and social discrimination in rat pups, and altered social behavior and emotionality in the adolescent and adult offspring in the absence of gross malformations. This dose of VPA inhibited histone deacetylase in rat embryos and favored the formation of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), but impaired their repair. The defective DSB response was no more visible in one-day-old pups, thus supporting the hypothesis that unrepaired VPA-induced DNA damage at the time of neural tube closure may underlie the autistic-like traits displayed in the course of development by rats prenatally exposed to VPA. These experiments help to understand the neurodevelopmental trajectories affected by prenatal VPA exposure and identify a biochemical link between VPA exposure during gestation and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Servadio
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Manduca
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Melancia
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Loris Leboffe
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Schiavi
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maura Palmery
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Ascenzi
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra di Masi
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Chadman KK. Animal models for autism in 2017 and the consequential implications to drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:1187-1194. [PMID: 28971687 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1383982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted interests/repetitive behaviors, for which there are currently no approved drug treatments. The core symptoms of ASD vary widely in severity and are often accompanied by other neuropsychiatric disorders. Drug discovery has been challenging because of the lack of understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ASD as well as the heterogeneity of symptoms and symptom severity. Areas covered: In this review, the author discusses animal models of ASD used as targets for drug discovery, focusing primarily on non-syndromic models, primarily rodents. They highlight the wide range of drug targets examined in animal models. While very little of this work has resulted in drug therapy for the behavioral symptoms of ASD yet, it has increased our knowledge of the biology of ASD that is critical for driving drug discovery and has already provided many new drug targets for investigation. Expert opinion: The information gathered from the animal models of ASD is increasing our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology for ASD and is leading to better therapeutic targets. However, the issue of small sample size, heterogeneity within clinical samples, and a lack of replicable outcome measures must be addressed to move forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn K Chadman
- a Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory , NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities , Staten Island , NY , USA
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56
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Ansari MA, Nadeem A, Attia SM, Bakheet SA, Raish M, Ahmad SF. Adenosine A2A receptor modulates neuroimmune function through Th17/retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) signaling in a BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J mouse model of autism. Cell Signal 2017; 36:14-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Wright C, Shin JH, Rajpurohit A, Deep-Soboslay A, Collado-Torres L, Brandon NJ, Hyde TM, Kleinman JE, Jaffe AE, Cross AJ, Weinberger DR. Altered expression of histamine signaling genes in autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1126. [PMID: 28485729 PMCID: PMC5534955 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The histaminergic system (HS) has a critical role in cognition, sleep and other behaviors. Although not well studied in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the HS is implicated in many neurological disorders, some of which share comorbidity with ASD, including Tourette syndrome (TS). Preliminary studies suggest that antagonism of histamine receptors 1-3 reduces symptoms and specific behaviors in ASD patients and relevant animal models. In addition, the HS mediates neuroinflammation, which may be heightened in ASD. Together, this suggests that the HS may also be altered in ASD. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we investigated genome-wide expression, as well as a focused gene set analysis of key HS genes (HDC, HNMT, HRH1, HRH2, HRH3 and HRH4) in postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) initially in 13 subjects with ASD and 39 matched controls. At the genome level, eight transcripts were differentially expressed (false discovery rate <0.05), six of which were small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). There was no significant diagnosis effect on any of the individual HS genes but expression of the gene set of HNMT, HRH1, HRH2 and HRH3 was significantly altered. Curated HS gene sets were also significantly differentially expressed. Differential expression analysis of these gene sets in an independent RNA-seq ASD data set from DLPFC of 47 additional subjects confirmed these findings. Understanding the physiological relevance of an altered HS may suggest new therapeutic options for the treatment of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Wright
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,AstraZeneca Postdoc Program, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - J H Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Rajpurohit
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Deep-Soboslay
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - L Collado-Torres
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - N J Brandon
- AstraZeneca Neuroscience, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - T M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A E Jaffe
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A J Cross
- AstraZeneca Neuroscience, Innovative Medicines and Early Development, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - D R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Clinical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, 855 North Wolfe Street, Suite 300, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. E-mail:
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Immune Alterations in CD8+ T Cells Are Associated with Neuronal C-C and C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Regulation Through Adenosine A2A Receptor Signaling in a BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Autistic Mouse Model. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:2603-2616. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0548-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Ciproxifan, a histamine H 3 receptor antagonist, reversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase A and B. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40541. [PMID: 28084411 PMCID: PMC5233962 DOI: 10.1038/srep40541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciproxifan is a well-investigated histamine H3 receptor (H3R) inverse agonist/antagonist, showing an exclusively high species-specific affinity at rodent compared to human H3R. It is well studied as reference compound for H3R in rodent models for neurological diseases connected with neurotransmitter dysregulation, e.g. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or Alzheimer’s disease. In a screening for potential monoamine oxidase A and B inhibition ciproxifan showed efficacy on both enzyme isoforms. Further characterization of ciproxifan revealed IC50 values in a micromolar concentration range for human and rat monoamine oxidases with slight preference for monoamine oxidase B in both species. The inhibition by ciproxifan was reversible for both human isoforms. Regarding inhibitory potency of ciproxifan on rat brain MAO, these findings should be considered, when using high doses in rat models for neurological diseases. As the H3R and monoamine oxidases are all capable of affecting neurotransmitter modulation in brain, we consider dual targeting ligands as interesting approach for treatment of neurological disorders. Since ciproxifan shows only moderate activity at human targets, further investigations in animals are not of primary interest. On the other hand, it may serve as starting point for the development of dual targeting ligands.
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Pharmacological inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase attenuates social behavioural deficits in male rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Pharmacol Res 2016; 113:228-235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Targeting anandamide metabolism rescues core and associated autistic-like symptoms in rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e902. [PMID: 27676443 PMCID: PMC5048215 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by altered sociability, compromised communication and stereotyped/repetitive behaviors, for which no specific treatments are currently available. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is a known, although still underestimated, environmental risk factor for ASD. Altered endocannabinoid activity has been observed in autistic patients, and endocannabinoids are known to modulate behavioral traits that are typically affected in ASD. On this basis, we tested the hypothesis that changes in the endocannabinoid tone contribute to the altered phenotype induced by prenatal VPA exposure in rats, with focus on behavioral features that resemble the core and associated symptoms of ASD. In the course of development, VPA-exposed rats showed early deficits in social communication and discrimination, compromised sociability and social play behavior, stereotypies and increased anxiety, thus providing preclinical proof of the long-lasting deleterious effects induced by prenatal VPA exposure. At the neurochemical level, VPA-exposed rats displayed altered phosphorylation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in different brain areas, associated with changes in anandamide metabolism from infancy to adulthood. Interestingly, enhancing anandamide signaling through inhibition of its degradation rescued the behavioral deficits displayed by VPA-exposed rats at infancy, adolescence and adulthood. This study therefore shows that abnormalities in anandamide activity may underlie the deleterious impact of environmental risk factors on ASD-relevant behaviors and that the endocannabinoid system may represent a therapeutic target for the core and associated symptoms displayed by autistic patients.
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Resveratrol Ameliorates Dysregulation of Th1, Th2, Th17, and T Regulatory Cell-Related Transcription Factor Signaling in a BTBR T + tf/J Mouse Model of Autism. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:5201-5212. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0066-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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63
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Castro K, Baronio D, Perry IS, Riesgo RDS, Gottfried C. The effect of ketogenic diet in an animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. Nutr Neurosci 2016; 20:343-350. [PMID: 26856821 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2015.1133029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and by restricted repetitive behaviors and interests. Its etiology is still unknown, but different environmental factors during pregnancy, such as exposure to valproic acid (VPA), are associated with high incidence of ASD in children. In this context, prenatal exposure to VPA in rodents has been used as a reliable model of ASD. Ketogenic diet (KD) is an alternative therapeutic option for refractory epilepsy; however, the effects of this approach in ASD-like behavior need to be evaluated. We conducted a behavioral assessment of the effects of KD in the VPA model of autism. METHODS Pregnant animals received a single-intraperitoneal injection of 600 mg/kg VPA, and their offspring were separated into four groups: (1) control group with standard diet (C-SD), (2) control group with ketogenic diet (C-KD), (3) VPA group with standard diet (VPA-SD), and (4) VPA group with ketogenic diet (VPA-KD). RESULTS When compared with the control group, VPA animals presented increased social impairment, repetitive behavior and higher nociceptive threshold. Interestingly, the VPA group fed with KD presented improvements in social behavior. These mice displayed higher scores in sociability index and social novelty index when compared with the SD-fed VPA mice. DISCUSSION VPA mice chronically exposed to a KD presented behavioral improvements; however, the mechanism by which KD improves ASD-like features needs to be further investigated. In conclusion, the present study reinforces the potential use of KD as a treatment for the core deficits of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Castro
- a Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.,b Food and Nutrition Research Center , Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil.,c Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Diego Baronio
- a Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.,c Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Ingrid Schweigert Perry
- b Food and Nutrition Research Center , Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil.,d Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Academic Unit of Health Science , Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense , Criciúma , SC , Brazil
| | - Rudimar Dos Santos Riesgo
- a Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil.,c Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , Brazil.,e Child Neurology Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- a Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA) , Porto Alegre , Brazil
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Mabunga DFN, Gonzales ELT, Kim JW, Kim KC, Shin CY. Exploring the Validity of Valproic Acid Animal Model of Autism. Exp Neurobiol 2015; 24:285-300. [PMID: 26713077 PMCID: PMC4688329 DOI: 10.5607/en.2015.24.4.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The valproic acid (VPA) animal model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most widely used animal model in the field. Like any other disease models, it can't model the totality of the features seen in autism. Then, is it valid to model autism? This model demonstrates many of the structural and behavioral features that can be observed in individuals with autism. These similarities enable the model to define relevant pathways of developmental dysregulation resulting from environmental manipulation. The uncovering of these complex pathways resulted to the growing pool of potential therapeutic candidates addressing the core symptoms of ASD. Here, we summarize the validity points of VPA that may or may not qualify it as a valid animal model of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darine Froy N Mabunga
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Edson Luck T Gonzales
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Ji-Woon Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Ki Chan Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, SMART-IABS and KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea. ; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
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Kim B, Colon E, Chawla S, Vandenberg LN, Suvorov A. Endocrine disruptors alter social behaviors and indirectly influence social hierarchies via changes in body weight. Environ Health 2015; 14:64. [PMID: 26242739 PMCID: PMC4524022 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-015-0051-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In humans, the causal link between socioeconomic status (SES) and body weight (BW) is bidirectional, as chronic stress associated with low SES may increase risk of obesity and excess weight may worsen career opportunities resulting in lower SES. We hypothesize that environmental factors affecting BW and/or social stress might reprogram physiological and social trajectories of individuals. OBJECTIVES To analyze interactions between BW and social behaviors in mice perinatally exposed to one of several environmental endocrine disruptors. METHODS CD-1 mice were fed 0.2 mg/kg BW/day tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), 2,2,4,4-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), bisphenol S (BPS), or oil (vehicle) from pregnancy day 8 through postpartum day 21. Three male offspring (triad) from each litter were housed together until week 15 and subjected to a Sociability Test and Tube Tests. Cages were then rearranged so that animals of the same social rank from the four exposure groups were housed together in tetrads. Social hierarchy in tetrads was again analyzed by Tube Tests. RESULTS In Sociability Tests, the mean velocity of all exposed animals increased when they encountered a stranger mouse and less time was spent with conspecifics. BW and social dominance of animals in triads and tetrads were inversely associated. BDE-47 and BPS caused transient decreases in BW. CONCLUSIONS Developmental exposure to environmental xenobiotics shifted behavior towards increased anxiety and decreased interest in social interactions. Our mouse model reproduces negative associations between social hierarchy status and BW. These results suggest that manipulation of BW by endocrine disruptors may affect social ranking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences (SPHHS), University of Massachusetts, 686 N. Pleasant Street, Goessmann 149A, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Eliezer Colon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences (SPHHS), University of Massachusetts, 686 N. Pleasant Street, Goessmann 149A, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Shivansh Chawla
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences (SPHHS), University of Massachusetts, 686 N. Pleasant Street, Goessmann 149A, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences (SPHHS), University of Massachusetts, 686 N. Pleasant Street, Goessmann 149A, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Alexander Suvorov
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences (SPHHS), University of Massachusetts, 686 N. Pleasant Street, Goessmann 149A, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
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Perinatal Influences of Valproate on Brain and Behaviour: An Animal Model for Autism. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2015; 29:363-386. [PMID: 26510739 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2015_404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid or valproate (VPA) is an anti-convulsant and mood stabiliser effective in treating epilepsy and bipolar disorders. Although in adults VPA is well tolerated and safe, there is convincing evidence that it has teratogenic properties, ranging from mild neurodevelopmental changes to severe congenital malformations. In particular, studies involving humans and other animals have shown that prenatal exposure to VPA can induce developmental abnormalities reminiscent of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this chapter, we discuss the connection between VPA and ASD, evaluate the VPA animal model of ASD, and describe the possible molecular mechanisms underlying VPA's teratogenic properties.
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