101
|
Trujillo Villarreal LA, Cárdenas-Tueme M, Maldonado-Ruiz R, Reséndez-Pérez D, Camacho-Morales A. Potential role of primed microglia during obesity on the mesocorticolimbic circuit in autism spectrum disorder. J Neurochem 2020; 156:415-434. [PMID: 32902852 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disease which involves functional and structural defects in selective central nervous system (CNS) regions that harm function and individual ability to process and respond to external stimuli. Individuals with ASD spend less time engaging in social interaction compared to non-affected subjects. Studies employing structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging reported morphological and functional abnormalities in the connectivity of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway between the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in response to social stimuli, as well as diminished medial prefrontal cortex in response to visual cues, whereas stronger reward system responses for the non-social realm (e.g., video games) than social rewards (e.g., approval), associated with caudate nucleus responsiveness in ASD children. Defects in the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway have been modulated in transgenic murine models using D2 dopamine receptor heterozygous (D2+/-) or dopamine transporter knockout mice, which exhibit sociability deficits and repetitive behaviors observed in ASD phenotypes. Notably, the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway is modulated by systemic and central inflammation, such as primed microglia, which occurs during obesity or maternal overnutrition. Therefore, we propose that a positive energy balance during obesity/maternal overnutrition coordinates a systemic and central inflammatory crosstalk that modulates the dopaminergic neurotransmission in selective brain areas of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway. Here, we will describe how obesity/maternal overnutrition may prime microglia, causing abnormalities in dopamine neurotransmission of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway, postulating a possible immune role in the development of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis A- Trujillo Villarreal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México.,Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Marcela Cárdenas-Tueme
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Roger Maldonado-Ruiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México.,Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Diana Reséndez-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| | - Alberto Camacho-Morales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México.,Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolas de los Garza, México
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
Dan Z, Mao X, Liu Q, Guo M, Zhuang Y, Liu Z, Chen K, Chen J, Xu R, Tang J, Qin L, Gu B, Liu K, Su C, Zhang F, Xia Y, Hu Z, Liu X. Altered gut microbial profile is associated with abnormal metabolism activity of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Gut Microbes 2020; 11:1246-1267. [PMID: 32312186 PMCID: PMC7524265 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2020.1747329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. To enhance the understanding of the gut microbiota structure in ASD children at different ages as well as the relationship between gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, we first used the 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the gut microbial population in a cohort of 143 children aged 2-13 years old. We found that the α-diversity of ASD group showed no significant change with age, while the TD group showed increased α-diversity with age, which indicates that the compositional development of the gut microbiota in ASD varies at different ages in ways that are not consistent with TD group. Recent studies have shown that chronic constipation is one of the most commonly obvious gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms along with ASD core symptoms. To further investigate the potential interaction effects between ASD and GI symptoms, the 30 C-ASD and their aged-matched TD were picked out to perform metagenomics analysis. We observed that C-ASD group displayed decreased diversity, depletion of species of Sutterella, Prevotella, and Bacteroides as well as dysregulation of associated metabolism activities, which may involve in the pathogenesis of C-ASD. Consistent with metagenomic analysis, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) revealed some of the differential metabolites between C-ASD and TD group were involved in the metabolic network of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, histidine, and GABA. Furthermore, we found these differences in metabolites were associated with altered abundance of specific bacteria. The study suggested possible future modalities for ASD intervention through targeting the specific bacteria associated with neurotransmitter metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Dan
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuhua Mao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Yixing People’s Hospital, Jiangsu University, Wuxi, China
| | - Qisha Liu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengchen Guo
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaoyao Zhuang
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junyu Chen
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junming Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Yixing People’s Hospital, Jiangsu University, Wuxi, China
| | - Lianhong Qin
- Children Growth Center of Bo’ai Homestead in Yixing, Yixing, China
| | - Bing Gu
- Medical Technological College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kangjian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuan Su
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Faming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingyin Liu
- Department of Pathogen-Microbiology Division, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Pathogen of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Enterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,CONTACT Xingyin Liu Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
103
|
Kutuk MO, Tufan E, Gokcen C, Kilicaslan F, Karadag M, Mutluer T, Yektas C, Coban N, Kandemir H, Buber A, Coskun S, Acikbas U, Guler G, Topal Z, Celik F, Altintas E, Giray A, Aka Y, Kutuk O. Cytokine expression profiles in Autism spectrum disorder: A multi-center study from Turkey. Cytokine 2020; 133:155152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
104
|
Cytokine changes associated with the maternal immune activation (MIA) model of autism: A penalized regression approach. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231609. [PMID: 32760152 PMCID: PMC7410235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy induces a cytokine storm that alters neurodevelopment and behavior in the progeny. In humans, MIA increases the odds of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In mice, MIA can be induced by injecting the viral mimic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) to pregnant dams. Although the murine model of MIA has been extensively studied, it is not clear whether MIA results in cytokine changes in the progeny at early postnatal stages. Further, the murine model of MIA suffers from a lack of reproducibility and high inter-individual variability. Multivariable (MV) statistical analysis is widely used in human studies to control for confounders and covariates such as sex, age and exposure to environmental factors. We therefore reasoned that animal studies in general and studies on the MIA model in particular could benefit from MV analyses to account for complex phenotype interactions and high inter-individual variability. Here, we used MV statistical analysis to identify cytokines associated with MIA after adjustment for covariates. Besides confirming the association between previously described variables and MIA, we identified new cytokines that could play a role in behavioural alterations in the progeny during the early postnatal period.
Collapse
|
105
|
Solmaz V, Tekatas A, Erdoğan MA, Erbaş O. Exenatide, a GLP-1 analog, has healing effects on LPS-induced autism model: Inflammation, oxidative stress, gliosis, cerebral GABA, and serotonin interactions. Int J Dev Neurosci 2020; 80:601-612. [PMID: 32745285 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have established anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of Exenatide in the central nervous system. Since these mechanisms are thought to have important roles in the pathophysiology of autism, we hypothesized that Exenatide may have healing effects in autism. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effects of Exenatide in an experimental autism model created by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in the womb, with behavioral tests, histopathological examinations, and biochemical measurements. The autism model was created by administration of LPS (i.p) to pregnant rats on the 10th day of their pregnancy at a dose of 100 µg/kg. On postnatal 21st day, a total of four groups were formed from offspring with regard to sex distribution and treatment. After a 45-day treatment, behavioral analysis tests were performed on rats. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed and biochemical analysis [superoxide dismutase, tumor necrotizing factor alpha, nerve growth factor, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and glutamic acid decarboxylase-67] and histopathological analysis were performed. On the 10th day of the intrauterine period, LPS exposure was found to disrupt behavioral findings, increase inflammation and hippocampal gliosis, and decrease 5-HIAA, GAD-67, and NGF, especially in male rats. However, among the rats exposed to LPS in the intrauterine period, recipients of Exenatide demonstrated significant amelioration of findings. Exenatide therapy shows positive effects on behavioral disorders in an LPS-induced autism model. This agent probably exerts its effects by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress and reducing hippocampal gliosis. In addition, Exenatide has also been shown to positively affect cerebral serotonergic and GABAergic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Volkan Solmaz
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Hizmet Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Aslan Tekatas
- Department of Neurology, Medikent Hospital, Lüleburgaz, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Mümin Alper Erdoğan
- Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Katip Celebi University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Oytun Erbaş
- Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Demiroğlu Bilim University, İstanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
Yin F, Wang H, Liu Z, Gao J. Association between peripheral blood levels of C-reactive protein and Autism Spectrum Disorder in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 88:432-441. [PMID: 32272227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the past five years, a growing number of studies have tried to illustrate the association between the peripheral blood level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, the results have been inconsistent. To assess whether abnormal CRP in peripheral blood was associated with ASD, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using the Embase, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases through August 27, 2019. Reference lists were also checked by hand-searching. Clinical studies exploring CRP concentration in the peripheral blood of autistic children and healthy controls were included in our meta-analysis. Overlapping samples were excluded. We pooled obtained data using a fixed- or random-effect model based on a heterogeneity test with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software and STATA software. Standardized mean differences were converted to Hedges' g statistic in order to obtain the effect size adjusted for sample size. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, meta-regression, and publication bias tests were also undertaken. RESULTS Nine studies with 592 ASD children and 604 healthy children were included in our meta-analysis. Significantly elevated CRP levels in peripheral blood were found in ASD children compared with healthy controls (Hedges' g = 0.527, 95% CI: 0.224-0.830, p = 0.001). Subgroup analyses based on sample types and ethnicity also showed similar results, except for the plasma subgroup. There was also a significant association between peripheral CRP concentration and ASD after removing the studies identified by Galbraith plots. The results of the sensitivity analysis revealed that no single study could reverse our results. Meta-regression analyses revealed that the gender of autistic children had a moderating effect on the outcome of the meta-analysis. In addition, no obvious publication bias was found in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In our study, peripheral CRP levels were significantly elevated in autistic children compared with healthy children. These results may provide us some new insights about ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangna Yin
- Clinical Laboratory, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei 061000, China
| | - Hongbing Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei 061000, China
| | - Zeya Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Junwei Gao
- Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China.
| |
Collapse
|
107
|
Barbosa S, Khalfallah O, Forhan A, Galera C, Heude B, Glaichenhaus N, Davidovic L. Serum cytokines associated with behavior: A cross-sectional study in 5-year-old children. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 87:377-387. [PMID: 31923553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly 10% of 5-year-old children experience social, emotional or behavioral problems and are at increased risk of developing mental disorders later in life. While animal and human studies have demonstrated that cytokines can regulate brain functions, it is unclear whether individual cytokines are associated with specific behavioral dimensions in population-based pediatric samples. Here, we used data and biological samples from 786 mother-child pairs participating to the French national mother-child cohort EDEN. At the age of 5, children were assessed for behavioral difficulties using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and had their serum collected. Serum samples were analyzed for levels of well-characterized effector or regulatory cytokines. We then used a penalized logistic regression method (Elastic Net), to investigate associations between serum levels of cytokines and each of the five SDQ-assessed behavioral dimensions after adjustment for relevant covariates and confounders, including psychosocial variables. We found that interleukin (IL)-6, IL-7, and IL-15 were associated with increased odds of problems in prosocial behavior, emotions, and peer relationships, respectively. In contrast, eight cytokines were associated with decreased odds of problems in one dimension: IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17A with emotional problems, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α with conduct problems, C-C motif chemokine Ligand (CCL)2 with hyperactivity/inattention, C-X-C motif chemokine Ligand (CXCL)10 with peer problems, and CCL3 and IL-16 with abnormal prosocial behavior. Without implying causation, these associations support the notion that cytokines regulate brain functions and behavior and provide a rationale for launching longitudinal studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Barbosa
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Olfa Khalfallah
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Anne Forhan
- Université de Paris, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et Statistiques, Paris, France
| | - Cédric Galera
- University Bordeaux Segalen, Charles Perrens Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Bordeaux, France
| | - Barbara Heude
- Université de Paris, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et Statistiques, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Glaichenhaus
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
| | - Laetitia Davidovic
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Sciara AN, Beasley B, Crawford JD, Anderson EP, Carrasco T, Zheng S, Ordway GA, Chandley MJ. Neuroinflammatory Gene Expression Alterations in Anterior Cingulate Cortical White and Gray Matter of Males With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:870-884. [PMID: 32129578 PMCID: PMC7540672 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Evidence for putative pathophysiological mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including peripheral inflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, white matter alterations, and abnormal synaptic overgrowth, indicate a possible involvement of neuroinflammation in the disorder. Neuroinflammation plays a role in the development and maintenance of the dendritic spines involved in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission, and also influences blood-brain permeability. Cytokines released from microglia can impact the length, location or organization of dendritic spines on excitatory and inhibitory cells as well as recruit and impact glial cell function around the neurons. In this study, gene expression levels of anti- and pro-inflammatory signaling molecules, as well as oligodendrocyte and astrocyte marker proteins, were measured in both gray and white matter tissue in the anterior cingulate cortex from ASD and age-matched typically developing (TD) control brain donors, ranging from ages 4 to 37 years. Expression levels of the pro-inflammatory gene, HLA-DR, were significantly reduced in gray matter and expression levels of the anti-inflammatory gene MRC1 were significantly elevated in white matter from ASD donors as compared to TD donors, but neither retained statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Modest trends toward differences in expression levels were also observed for the pro-inflammatory (CD68, IL1β) and anti-inflammatory genes (IGF1, IGF1R) comparing ASD donors to TD donors. The direction of gene expression changes comparing ASD to TD donors did not reveal consistent findings implicating an elevated pro- or anti-inflammatory state in ASD. However, altered expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory gene expression indicates some involvement of neuroinflammation in ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 870-884. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: The anterior cingulate cortex is an integral brain region in modulating social behaviors including nonverbal communication. The study found that inflammatory gene expression levels were altered in this brain region. We hypothesize that the inflammatory changes in this area could impact neuronal function. The finding has future implications in using these molecular markers to identify potential environmental exposures and distinct cell differences in autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey N. Sciara
- Department of Biological SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTennessee
| | - Brooke Beasley
- Department of Health SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Jessica D. Crawford
- Department of Biomedical SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Emma P. Anderson
- Department of Health SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Tiffani Carrasco
- Department of Health SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Shimin Zheng
- Department of Biostatistics and EpidemiologyEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
| | - Gregory A. Ordway
- Department of Biomedical SciencesEast Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTN
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesEast Tennessee State University, Johnson CityJohnson CityTN
| | | |
Collapse
|
109
|
Kathuria A, Lopez-Lengowski K, Vater M, McPhie D, Cohen BM, Karmacharya R. Transcriptome analysis and functional characterization of cerebral organoids in bipolar disorder. Genome Med 2020; 12:34. [PMID: 32306996 PMCID: PMC7168850 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00733-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Reprogramming human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells and generating three-dimensional brain organoids from these iPSCs provide access to live human neuronal tissue with disease-specific genetic backgrounds. Methods Cerebral organoids were generated from iPSCs of eight bipolar disorder (BPI) patients and eight healthy control individuals. RNA-seq experiments were undertaken using RNA isolated from the cerebral organoids. Functional activity in the cerebral organoids was studied using microelectrode arrays. Results RNA-seq data comparing gene expression profiles in the cerebral organoids showed downregulation of pathways involved in cell adhesion, neurodevelopment, and synaptic biology in bipolar disorder along with upregulation of genes involved in immune signaling. The central hub in the network analysis was neurocan (NCAN), which is located in a locus with evidence for genome-wide significant association in BPI. Gene ontology analyses suggested deficits related to endoplasmic reticulum biology in BPI, which was supported by cellular characterization of ER–mitochondria interactions. Functional studies with microelectrode arrays revealed specific deficits in response to stimulation and depolarization in BPI cerebral organoids. Conclusions Our studies in cerebral organoids from bipolar disorder showed dysregulation in genes involved in cell adhesion, immune signaling, and endoplasmic reticulum biology; implicated a central role for the GWAS hit NCAN in the biology of BPI; and showed evidence of deficits in neurotransmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annie Kathuria
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kara Lopez-Lengowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Magdalena Vater
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donna McPhie
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Bruce M Cohen
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Rakesh Karmacharya
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA. .,Program in Neuroscience, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Program in Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
110
|
Mohammadi S, Mayeli M, Saghazadeh A, Rezaei N. Cytokines in narcolepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cytokine 2020; 131:155103. [PMID: 32315956 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by a loss of hypocretin neurons in the hypothalamus. Inflammation is proposed as a mechanism for neurodegeneration in narcolepsy. Numerous studies have investigated peripheral cytokine measures in narcoleptic patients, though the results are not conclusive. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to address the question of how do serum/plasma cytokine levels change in narcolepsy. METHODS A systematic search of the literature to July 2019, was conducted to identify studies that measured cytokine levels in patients with narcolepsy, compared with those in controls without narcolepsy. RESULTS Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis: ten for interleukin (IL)-6, five for IL-8, three for IL-10, and ten for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Compared with controls, patients with narcolepsy had higher plasma levels of IL-6 (95% CI [0.22, 3.74]; P = 0.03) and TNF-α (95% CI [0.53, 4.18]; P = 0.01), while did not significantly differ in plasma IL-8 (95% CI [-1.64, 2.08]; P = 0.82) and IL-10 (95% CI [-1.29, 0.72]; P = 0.57) as well as serum IL-6 (95% CI [-1.48, 0.32], P = 0.21) and TNF-α (95% CI [-3.14, 0.19], P = 0.08) and CSF IL-8 (95% CI [-1.16, 0.41]; P = 0.35) levels. Patients with narcolepsy exhibited lower CSF IL-6 (95% CI [-0.66, 0.06]; P = 0.02) levels comparing with controls. CONCLUSIONS Patients with narcolepsy had elevated plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α and lower levels of CSF IL-6 than non-narcoleptic controls. Our results support the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy. However, plasma levels of IL-8 and IL-10, serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α and CSF IL-8 did not significantly differ between patients and controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soheil Mohammadi
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mayeli
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; NeuroTRACT Association, Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amene Saghazadeh
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; NeuroImmunology Research Association (NIRA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; NeuroImmunology Research Association (NIRA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
111
|
Tomova A, Soltys K, Kemenyova P, Karhanek M, Babinska K. The Influence of Food Intake Specificity in Children with Autism on Gut Microbiota. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2797. [PMID: 32316625 PMCID: PMC7215614 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex of neurodevelopmental conditions with increasing incidence. The microbiota of children with ASD is distinct from neurotypical children, their food habits are also different, and it is known that nutrient intake influences microbiota in a specific way. Thus, this study investigates the food habits of children with ASD and their association with the gut microbiota. Children with ASD had their dietary energy intakes similar to controls, but they more often demonstrated food selectivity, which seemed to result in deficiency of micronutrients such as vitamins K, B6, C, iron, cooper, docosahexaenoic and docosapentanoic acid. Using high-throughput sequencing, a DNA library of intestinal microbiota was performed. Core microbiota was similar in children with and without ASD, but Dichelobacter, Nitriliruptor and Constrictibacter were found to be putative markers of ASD. The changes in gut microbiota that we observed in connection to food selectivity, intake of fats and omega-3 in particular, fermented milk products and animal/plant protein consumption had similar character, independent of diagnosis. However, high fibre intake was connected with a decreased α-diversity only in children with ASD. High carbohydrate and fibre intake influenced β-diversity, changing the abundance of Bacteroides and other genera, many of them members of the Clostidiaceae. Modulating food habits of ASD children can influence their gut microbiota composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Tomova
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (K.B.)
| | - Katarina Soltys
- Comenius University, Science Park, Comenius University in Bratislava, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petra Kemenyova
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (K.B.)
| | - Miloslav Karhanek
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Katarina Babinska
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.K.); (K.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
112
|
Afroz KF, Alviña K. Maternal elevated salt consumption and the development of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:265. [PMID: 31837704 PMCID: PMC6911292 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1666-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition with no known etiology or cure. Several possible contributing factors, both genetic and environmental, are being actively investigated. Amongst these, maternal immune dysregulation has been identified as potentially involved in promoting ASD in the offspring. Indeed, ASD-like behaviors have been observed in studies using the maternal immune activation mouse model. Furthermore, recent studies have shed light on maternal dietary habits and their impact on the gut microbiome as factors possibly facilitating ASD. However, most of these studies have been limited to the effects of high fat and/or high sugar. More recent data, however, have shown that elevated salt consumption has a significant effect on the immune system and gut microbiome, often resulting in gut dysbiosis and induction of pro-inflammatory pathways. Specifically, high salt alters the gut microbiome and induces the differentiation of T helper-17 cells that produce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-17 and interleukin-23. Moreover, elevated salt can also reduce the differentiation of regulatory T cells that help maintaining a balanced immune system. While in the innate immune system, high salt can cause over activation of M1 pro-inflammatory macrophages and downregulation of M2 regulatory macrophages. These changes to the immune system are alarming because excessive consumption of salt is a documented worldwide problem. Thus, in this review, we discuss recent findings on high salt intake, gut microbiome, and immune system dysregulation while proposing a hypothesis to link maternal overconsumption of salt and children’s ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazi Farhana Afroz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2901 Main St. Room #05, Biology Building, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Karina Alviña
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2901 Main St. Room #05, Biology Building, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, Room L1-100, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
113
|
Prosperi M, Guiducci L, Peroni DG, Narducci C, Gaggini M, Calderoni S, Tancredi R, Morales MA, Gastaldelli A, Muratori F, Santocchi E. Inflammatory Biomarkers are Correlated with Some Forms of Regressive Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9120366. [PMID: 31835709 PMCID: PMC6955787 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9120366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Several studies have tried to investigate the role of inflammatory biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and their correlations with clinical phenotypes. Despite the growing research in this topic, existing data are mostly contradictory. Methods: Eighty-five ASD preschoolers were assessed for developmental level, adaptive functioning, gastrointestinal (GI), socio-communicative and psychopathological symptoms. Plasma levels of leptin, resistin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (CCL2), tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were correlated with clinical scores and were compared among different ASD subgroups according to the presence or absence of: (i) GI symptoms, (ii) regressive onset of autism. Results: Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and CCL2) were lower than those reported in previous studies in children with systemic inflammatory conditions. GI symptoms were not correlated with levels of inflammatory biomarkers except for resistin that was lower in ASD-GI children (p = 0.032). Resistin and PAI-1 levels were significantly higher in the group with “regression plus a developmental delay” onset (Reg+DD group) compared to groups without regression or with regression without a developmental delay (p < 0.01 for all). Conclusions: Our results did not highlight the presence of any systemic inflammatory state in ASD subjects neither disentangling children with/without GI symptoms. The Reg + DD group significantly differed from others in some plasmatic values, but these differences failed to discriminate the subgroups as possible distinct ASD endo-phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Prosperi
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (S.C.); (R.T.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Letizia Guiducci
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Diego G. Peroni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Chiara Narducci
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Cagliari & “Antonio Cao” Paediatric Hospital, “G. Brotzu” Hospital trust, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Melania Gaggini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Sara Calderoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (S.C.); (R.T.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Raffaella Tancredi
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (S.C.); (R.T.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Maria Aurora Morales
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Amalia Gastaldelli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0503-152-679
| | - Filippo Muratori
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (S.C.); (R.T.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Elisa Santocchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (M.P.); (S.C.); (R.T.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| |
Collapse
|